Ride 'em Jewboy
Billy Joe Shaver & Kinky Friedman Lyrics

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Non-verbal vocalization indicating excitement, anticipation or awe.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Non-verbal vocalization indicating heightened excitement, anticipation or awe.

Ride, ride 'em Jewboy
Encouraging the horseman to ride his horse throughout the corral in a Western fashion.

Ride 'em all around the old corral
Encouragement to ride in all directions within the enclosure of the corral.

I'm, I'm with you boy
I'm supporting you and in this with you.

If I've got to ride six million miles
I will be by your side no matter how far you have to ride.

Now the smokes from camps are rising
A somber reminder of the destruction and chaos of a war or conflict.

See the helpless creatures on their way
Compassion towards those who are suffering and are subject to torment or persecution.

Hey, old pal, ain't it surprising
Expressing surprise at how much one can take and endure before succumbing to the pressure.

How far you can go before you stay
The extent to which one can survive before being overwhelmed or unable to keep going.

Don't you let the morning blind ya
Do not let the start of a new day deceive you or minimize the gravity of the situation.

When on your sleeve you wore the yeller star
Symbolic reference to the Star of David that Jews were forced to wear during Nazi Germany's reign of terror.

Old memories still live behind ya
The haunting memories of the past can still affect and linger around one's present.

Can't you see by your outfit who you are
The outfit and the external appearance is a representation of one's identity and should be a prideful display of one's heritage and culture.

How long will you be driven relentless 'round the world
The ongoing oppression and persecution that Jews have faced and continue to face for whom they are.

The blood in the rhythm of the soul
Symbolic of an innate struggle against injustice, which continuously drives and motivates those facing persecution and seeking justice.

Wild ponies all your dreams were broken
The hopes and dreams of freedom, safety and security were dashed and destroyed.

Rounded out and made to move along
Forced to conform to a new reality and pushed to keep moving forward despite insurmountable odds.

The loneliness which can't be spoken
The unbearable isolation and despair that cannot be put into words or picked up by others.

Just swings a rope and rides inside a song
The art of music carries with it the ability to heal, to rally and to elevate one's spirit even in the darkest moments of life.

Dead limbs play with ringless fingers
The reference to lifelessness, loss and emptiness as well as the symbol of those who perished and were stripped of their possessions.

A melody which burns you deep inside
The song or memory that ignites a fire of emotions deep within the soul, provoking the righteous indignation and the determination for change.

Oh, how the song becomes the singers
The way the individual, through the power of music, is able to claim back their voice and their identity - it is the reclaiming of personal agency, alongside the broader triumph of reclaiming a collective humanity.

May peace be ever with you as you ride
A prayer or a hope that the journey will lead to peace and that it will be ever-present with the rider.

In the window candles glowing
The flicker of light in the darkness, which symbolizes hope, love and warmth.

Remind you that today you are a child
A reminder to embrace innocence and kindness while also acknowledging the vulnerability and naivety that comes with being young, in order to keep one's humanity intact.

Road ahead, forever rolling
The journey is never-ending, and the ride is always bumpy, but the hope of a better tomorrow is what makes the journey worthwhile.

And anything worth cryin' can be smiled
While life is full of sorrow and setbacks, a smile can be a sign of hope, resilience, and the desire to move forward.