Donkey Riding
Great Big Sea Lyrics


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Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Was you ever in Quebec launching timber on the deck ,where ya
Break a bleeding neck riding on a donkey.

Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Was you ever round Cape Horn where the weathers never warm,
Wish to god you'd never been born riding on a donkey.

Way hey and away we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Was you ever in Miramichi where they you tie up to a tree,
Have a girl sit on your knee riding on a donkey.

Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Was you ever in Fortune Bay hear the girls all shout hurray,here
Comes dad with dead months pay riding on a donkey.

Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Was you ever in Fredericton seeing the king he does come down,
See the king in his golden crown riding on a donkey.

Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.





Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.

Overall Meaning

The song "Donkey Riding" by Great Big Sea is a sea shanty that tells the story of various adventures and misadventures while riding on a donkey. Each verse of the song mentions a different location and situation in which donkey riding is involved. The first verse talks about Quebec and launching timber, where the singer suggests that donkey riding is so dangerous that one could break their neck while doing it. The second verse mentions Cape Horn, where the weather is never warm and riding a donkey seems like a terrible idea. In the third verse, the location is Miramichi, where riding a donkey seems romanticized as one can have a girl sit on their knee while doing it. The fourth verse describes Fortune Bay, where the singer hears the girls shouting "hurray" upon their father's return with dead month's pay while riding a donkey. Lastly, the singer imagines being in Fredericton where they see the king in his golden crown riding on a donkey.


The central theme of the song seems to be the dangers and discomforts of traveling and adventuring. The song also seems to suggest that no matter where you go, you'll always find someone riding a donkey, and it's best to avoid that altogether. The repetition of "way hey and a way we go," and "donkey riding, donkey riding," throughout the song serves to emphasize the lighthearted and rhythmic nature of this sea shanty.


Line by Line Meaning

Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Let's ride on a donkey!


Way hey and away we go riding on a donkey.
We're off!


Was you ever in Quebec launching timber on the deck ,where ya Break a bleeding neck riding on a donkey.
Have you ever been involved in the dangerous work of launching timber in Quebec, where you risk injuring yourself while riding on a donkey?


Was you ever round Cape Horn where the weathers never warm, Wish to god you'd never been born riding on a donkey.
Have you ever been through Cape Horn's treacherous weather where it never gets warm, making you regret being born while riding on a donkey?


Was you ever in Miramichi where they you tie up to a tree, Have a girl sit on your knee riding on a donkey.
Have you ever been in Miramichi where you tie up to a tree and enjoy the company of a girl sitting on your knee while riding on a donkey?


Was you ever in Fortune Bay hear the girls all shout hurray,here Comes dad with dead months pay riding on a donkey.
Have you ever been in Fortune Bay hearing girls cheer while watching someone bring home their pay on a donkey?


Was you ever in Fredericton seeing the king he does come down, See the king in his golden crown riding on a donkey.
Have you ever been in Fredericton where the king came down to ride on a donkey in his golden crown?


Way hey and a way we go donkey riding donkey riding,
Let's ride on a donkey!


Way hey and away we go donkey riding donkey riding,
We're off!




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: COLLECTED BY THOMAS WOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

James Clark

It should be explained that the "donkey" in this song is a steam hoisting engine.

tigris115

See, I always thought it was about people riding actual donkeys

Talitha Suya

Ah. Thanks.

howie9751

The Great Big CD and DVD. My favorite.

Andrew Folgmann

where was this concert held?

icebox90002000

Ottawa I think

icebox90002000

Ottawa I think

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