Hitchin a ride
Barbados Lyrics


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A thumb goes up, a car goes by
It's nearly 1 a.m. and here am I
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home by the morning light
I got no fare to ride a train
I'm nearly drowin' in the pouring rain
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home to my baby's side
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Long distance call I got today
She sounded lonely so I'm on my way
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Gotta get me home, keep her satisfied
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
A thumb goes up, a car goes by
Oh, won't somebody stop and help a guy?
Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Been away too long from my baby's side
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Ride, ride
Ride, ride

Ride, ride
Ride, ride

Overall Meaning

The song "Hitchin' a Ride" by Barbados tells the story of a man who finds himself stranded in the middle of the night with no means of transportation to get home to his lover. He begins to hitchhike, seeking kindness from passing drivers. As he waits, the rain pours down on him, intensifying his desperation to make it back to his lover's side. The lyrics convey his sense of loneliness and yearning to return home to his beloved. The repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes his need to keep moving and attempting to catch a ride.


The song is an ode to the act of hitchhiking, which was more common during the time when the song was written. The lyrics also capture a moment in time when long-distance phone calls were both expensive and rare, with the man receiving word from his lover that she was lonely and needed him. The song has a melancholy tone, reflecting both the singer's current sense of isolation and his anticipation of being reunited with his partner.


Line by Line Meaning

A thumb goes up, a car goes by
Sticking out my thumb, hoping someone passing by would be kind enough to give me a ride


It's nearly 1 a.m. and here am I
It's late at night and I'm stranded with no means of transportation


Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride
Trying to catch a ride from someone passing by


Gotta get me home by the morning light
I need to get home before the sun comes up


I got no fare to ride a train
I don't have enough money to pay for a train ticket


I'm nearly drowin' in the pouring rain
I am almost drowning in the heavy rain


Gotta get me home to my baby's side
I need to get home to be with my significant other


Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride
Continuing to try and find a ride


Long distance call I got today
Received a phone call from someone far away


She sounded lonely so I'm on my way
The person who called sounded lonely so I'm going to be with them


Gotta get me home, keep her satisfied
Need to get home to make the caller happy and satisfied


Oh, won't somebody stop and help a guy?
Hoping someone will finally stop to give me a ride


Been away too long from my baby's side
Have been away from my significant other for too long


Ride, ride
Still trying to catch a ride


Ride, ride
Continuing to look for a ride


Ride, ride
Hoping someone will finally give me a ride




Contributed by Jeremiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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