On Horseback
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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I like beer and I like cheese
I like the smell of a Westerly breeze
But I like more than all of these
To be on horseback

[Chorus]
Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space

I like thunder and I like rain
And open fires with roaring flames
But if the thunder is in my brain
I'd like to be on horseback

Some like the city some the noise
Some make chaos and others toys
But if I was to have the choice
I'd rather be on horseback

[Chorus]

Some find it strange to be here
On this small planet with who knows where
But when it's strange and full of fear
It's nice to be on horseback

Some are short and others tall
Some hit there heads against the wall
But it doesn't really matter at all
When you happen to be on horseback

[Chorus]

So if you feel a little glum
To Hergest Ridge you should come
In summer, winter, rain or sun
It's good to be on horseback, hm

[Chorus: x2]





You know, I'd rather be on horseback

Overall Meaning

The song "On Horseback" by Mike Oldfield is a celebration of the simple pleasures of nature and the beauty of horseback riding. In the first verse, the singer enumerates some of the things he likes, such as beer, cheese, and the smell of a Westerly breeze, but he reveals that what he likes most is to be on horseback. The chorus is a joyful exclamation of the pleasures of riding, as the singer sings, "Hey and away we go, through the grass, cross the snow, big brown beastie, big brown face, I'd rather be with you than flying through space."


The second verse addresses some of life's less pleasant experiences, such as thunder and rain, but the singer suggests that even these can be endured if one is on horseback. The third verse contrasts the singer's preference for the countryside and the natural world with the chaos and noise of the city. The final verse declares that when life is strange and full of fear, it is comforting to be on horseback, and invites the listener to come to Hergest Ridge, a location in Wales that was a source of inspiration for Mike Oldfield.


Overall, "On Horseback" is a celebration of the simple pleasures of life and the power of nature to restore and renew the human spirit. The song's lilting melody and joyful lyrics invite the listener to join the singer in his love of horseback riding and the natural world.


Line by Line Meaning

I like beer and I like cheese
I appreciate simple pleasures like beer and cheese


I like the smell of a Westerly breeze
The scent of a Westerly breeze is delightful to me


But I like more than all of these To be on horseback
But nothing surpasses the joy of being on top of a horse


Hey and away we go Through the grass, cross the snow Big brown beastie Big brown face I'd rather be with you Than flying through space
I am riding my horse through fields and snow, and I would choose to be with my horse over being in space


I like thunder and I like rain And open fires with roaring flames But if the thunder is in my brain I'd like to be on horseback
I enjoy thunderstorms and cozy fires, but if the chaos is in my mind, being with my horse is the best antidote


Some like the city some the noise Some make chaos and others toys But if I was to have the choice I'd rather be on horseback
People have different preferences, but given a choice, I would always choose to ride a horse


Some find it strange to be here On this small planet with who knows where But when it's strange and full of fear It's nice to be on horseback
Some may feel lost on this vast planet, but when things get scary, being on a horse brings comfort


Some are short and others tall Some hit there heads against the wall But it doesn't really matter at all When you happen to be on horseback
Physical differences and struggles don't matter when you are happily riding a horse


So if you feel a little glum To Hergest Ridge you should come In summer, winter, rain or sun It's good to be on horseback, hm
If you're feeling down, come to Hergest Ridge and ride a horse regardless of the weather. It's always good to be on horseback


You know, I'd rather be on horseback
Overall, nothing compares to the joy and peace of being on a horse




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MIKE OLDFIELD, WILLIAM MURRAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Gaby Magic

"On Horseback"

I like beer, and I like cheese
I like the smell of a westerly breeze
But what I like more than all of these
Is to be on horseback.

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, across the snow
Big brown beastie, big brown face
I'd rather be with you than flying through space.

I like thunder, and I like rain
And open fires, and roaring flames.
But if the thunder's in my brain,
I'd like to be on horseback.

Some like the city, some the noise
Some make chaos, and others, toys.
But if I was to have the choice,
I'd rather be on horseback.

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, across the snow
Big brown beastie, big brown face
I'd rather be with you than flying through space.

Some find it strange to be here,
On this small planet, and who knows where.
But when it's strange and full of fear,
It's nice to be on horseback.

Some are short, and others tall,
Some hit their heads against the wall.
But it doesn't really matter at all,
When you happen to be on horseback.

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, across the snow
Big brown beastie, big brown face
I'd rather be with you than flying through space.

So if you you feel a little glum,
To Hergest Ridge you should come.
In summer, winter, rain or sun,
It's good to be on horseback.
Hm!

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, across the snow
Big brown beastie, big brown face
I'd rather be with you than flying through space.

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, across the snow
Big brown beastie, big brown face
I'd rather be with you than flying through space.

I'd rather be on horseback.



Denis Denis

like cheese
I like the smell of a Westerly breeze
But I like more than all of these
To be on horseback

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space

I like thunder and I like rain
And open fires with roaring flames
But if the thunder is in my brain
I'd like to be on horseback

Some like the city some the noise
Some make chaos and others toys
But if I was to have the choice
I'd rather be on horseback

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space

Some find it strange to be here
On this small planet with who knows where
But when it's strange and full of fear
It's nice to be on horseback

Some are short and others tall
Some hit there heads against the wall
But it doesn't really matter at all
When you happen to be on horseback

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space

So if you feel a little glum
To Hergest Ridge you should come
In summer, winter, rain or sun
It's good to be on horseback, hm

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space

Hey and away we go
Through the grass, cross the snow
Big brown beastie
Big brown face
I'd rather be with you
Than flying through space
You know, I'd rather be on horseback



All comments from YouTube:

Shockadelic

"I like beer, and I like cheese" has to be one of the best opening line song lyrics ever

Barbara Kirk

I was reminded about this when I saw the transcriptions of the spoof Heinz Baked Beans ads on the Goodies fan website, as there's one beginning 'I like meat, and I like greens...'

DylanGash

This Is a song my father always used to play on his record player when growing up, we were poor when I was young and we couldn’t afford many vinyls / tapes or CDs. One of my earliest memories was sitting on the landing at the top of the stairs when I was supposed to be asleep listening to this record playing downstairs in the living room. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. I always make sure to listen to it once in a while, I always shed a few tears thinking about what once was, and to remember to take life as it comes, and to enjoy myself.

Thank you Mike Oldfield

Jannie C Cunningham

That's a beautiful tender memory. Thank ye fer sharin.

Kay Hansen

This song has special memories for me too I was 18 in 1975 when it first came out I am 65 now it had a very Christmassy wintry sound I think it was then around that time when it came out and The Listener sponsored radio station would play it so I made it a Christmas special song so now whenever I can I still play it at Christmas time. This Christmas I do not have my own place to live I'm basically homeless and I'm living with a woman all I have is my tiny phone and can only play it through the phone I used to play it on a big stereo and turn it up loud and dance to it on my tippy toes. I hope someday I get to have a big stereo and my own home again where I can celebrate these kind of songs and music.

adrianmcgachie

I too have personal memories from childhood for loving this whole piece of art. I love it, because of those memories. xx

Harold

Thanks Mike to bring light in the hearts of so many people with your beautiful music.

Docter Dick

I first heard this song when i was about 9 years old, my oldest brother had the album Ommadawn... It has never left my mind since then.
Now I'm 52 and diagnosed with cancer and it doesn't look to good for me.
Strugling to make choices regarding funeral etc etc i thougt about what music should be played and in the end, i decided this will be.

SplendidCoffee0

Excellent choice. I’m so sorry you were dealt this hand.

Gordon Taylor

I hope you pull through. Best wishes.

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