Rocking Horse
Gov’t Mule Lyrics

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My guardian angel wears a hard hat
Said the boy with the microphone
Else, I wouldn't be standing here today
Ever since I was a young a boy
I couldn't leave well enough alone
Always trouble standing in my way

Up, down, anywhere but in the middle

Off the wagon, under the wheel again
All or nothing, never could do just a little
Never could leave it alone

Hard living be the death of me
Lead me to an early grave
To die in the saddle must be my destiny
But to ride this rocking horse I must be crazed

Good clean fun is just my imagination
Down and dirty that's the way the game is played
This hard life has caused me aggravation
Never could leave it alone

Got to ride that rocking horse

Can't leave it alone
Got to ride that rocking horse

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Gov’t Mule’s “Rocking Horse” sets the tone for the entire song. The singer tells us that his guardian angel needs a hard hat to protect her from his antics. This line suggests that the singer is a wild child, one who doesn't always make the best decisions or heed advice. But he recognizes that he wouldn't be where he is today without his guardian angel's help. The song is a contemplation on this idea of living hard and fast and the consequences that come with it.

Further on, the singer confesses that he's never been able to do anything in moderation, and that's led him into trouble. He's always been drawn to extremes – being either "off the wagon" or "under the wheel again", "all or nothing". The singer admits that he's not in control of his desires, and they lead him to a hard life that "caused [him] aggravation", but that he "never could leave it alone."

The chorus of the song is a plea from the singer – he's realized that his lifestyle will likely kill him, but he's addicted to the thrill of it all. He wants to “ride that rocking horse” – to keep living on the edge – despite knowing that it could lead to an early grave. The singer acknowledges that his choices have consequences but can't resist the urge to live life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

My guardian angel wears a hard hat
The person who looks after me is strong and tough, ready to protect me from danger.

Said the boy with the microphone
That's what I believe. I'm the one talking right now, and I know what I'm saying.

Else, I wouldn't be standing here today
Without my guardian angel, I would not have survived my past and present experiences.

Ever since I was a young a boy
My troubles began when I was very young.

I couldn't leave well enough alone
I can't help but keep going when I find something that I'm interested in, even if it's not good for me.

Always trouble standing in my way
I face challenges and obstacles in everything I do.

Up, down, anywhere but in the middle
I can't seem to find balance and stability in my life.

Off the wagon, under the wheel again
I keep falling into destructive habits and situations.

All or nothing, never could do just a little
I always go to extremes, I can't just take things in moderation.

Never could leave it alone
I can't help but keep going back to the things that are bad for me, even though I know they are harmful.

Hard living be the death of me
The way I'm living is dangerous and may lead to an early death.

Lead me to an early grave
My lifestyle may be what causes my death.

To die in the saddle must be my destiny
I will likely meet my end in the midst of my pursuit of excitement and pleasure, like a cowboy dying while riding a horse.

But to ride this rocking horse I must be crazed
Only someone who is not of sound mind would willingly live the way that I do, always seeking pleasure even if it means risking harm to myself.

Good clean fun is just my imagination
I can only imagine what it would be like to truly enjoy myself without putting myself in danger or getting into trouble.

Down and dirty that's the way the game is played
In this life, I have to do what it takes to get what I want, even if it means breaking the rules or hurting myself in the process.

This hard life has caused me aggravation
The way I'm living is stressful and difficult, and it's starting to take a toll on me.

Got to ride that rocking horse
I feel compelled to keep seeking out pleasure and excitement, even though it's not good for me.

Can't leave it alone
I'm addicted to the thrill of the chase, and I can't stop myself from going back for more.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ALLEN WOODY, GREGORY LENOIR ALLMAN, JACK PEARSON, WARREN HAYNES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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