Ridin
Geraldo and His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When evening chores are over at our ranch house on the plain
And all I've got to do is lay around
I saddle up my pony and ride off down the trail
To watch the desert sun go down

Ridin' down the canyon to watch the sun go down
A picture that no artist e'er could paint
White faced cattle lowin' on the mountain side
Hear a coyote whinin' for it's mate
Cactus plants are bloomin', sagebrush every where
Granite spires are standin' all around

I tell you folks it's heaven




To be ridin' down the trail
When the desert sun goes down

Overall Meaning

The first verse of "Ridin' Down the Canyon" sets the scene with an idyllic description of life on the ranch. The singer has finished their work and now has nothing else to do but relax. So, they saddle up their horse and set off towards the canyon to watch the sun set. The second verse describes the breathtaking scenery they encounter. The singer marvels at the beauty of the white-faced cattle grazing on the nearby mountain slopes, listens to the lonesome coyote calls for its mate, and admires the blooming cacti and sagebrush. The granite spires provide a stunning natural backdrop for all of this.


Taken together, these lyrics paint a picture of the awe-inspiring beauty of the American West. People often associate that region with cowboys and ranching, and the song captures both those things perfectly. However, Geraldo and His Orchestra's version of the song also showcases the gentle, soothing nature of these images, creating an acoustic soundscape that is both melodious and reflective.


Line by Line Meaning

When evening chores are over at our ranch house on the plain
After finishing work for the day at my ranch house on the open fields


And all I've got to do is lay around
With nothing else to do but rest


I saddle up my pony and ride off down the trail
I climb onto my horse and depart towards the path


To watch the desert sun go down
In order to observe the setting sun on the dry landscape


Ridin' down the canyon to watch the sun go down
Traveling along the canyon while watching the sun fade away


A picture that no artist e'er could paint
A view that cannot be effectively captured by art


White faced cattle lowin' on the mountain side
Cows with light-colored muzzles are loudly moaning on the hills


Hear a coyote whinin' for it's mate
The plaintive cry of a coyote searching for its partner can be heard


Cactus plants are bloomin', sagebrush every where
The cacti are flowering, while the area is covered with sagebrush


Granite spires are standin' all around
The stone obelisks tower everywhere


I tell you folks it's heaven
I assure you it is paradise


To be ridin' down the trail
Going down the path is extremely pleasant


When the desert sun goes down
As soon as the sun disappears behind the barren landscape




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GENE AUTRY, SMILEY BURNETTE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions