03 Ride My Llama
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics


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Remember the Alamo
When help was on the way
It's better here and now
I feel that good today

I'd like to take a walk
But not around the block
I really got some news
I met a man from Mars
He picked up all my guitars
And played me traveling songs

And when we got on ship
He brought out something for the trip
And said, It's old but it's good
Like any other primitive would

I'm gonna ride my llama
From Peru to Texarkana
I want to ride him good
In my old neighborhood
I'm gonna ride him good
In my old neighborhood

And when we got on ship
He brought out something for the trip




And said, It's old but it's good
Like any other primitive would

Overall Meaning

In "Ride My Llama," Neil Young tells a story of a wild adventure he experienced with an extraterrestrial musician. The song starts with a reference to the Alamo, the historic site of a famous battle in Texas. This serves as a nod to the idea of overcoming adversity and the arrival of much-needed help. However, the main focus of the song is on the strange encounter the singer has with a Martian.


The Martian's arrival is marked by his ability to play all of Young's guitars with ease, and he proceeds to perform several "traveling songs" for the singer. They then embark on a ship where the Martian produces an unknown substance, which he describes as "old but good." The singer seems to trust the Martian, despite his unfamiliarity with the substance.


After the ship ride, Young sings about wanting to ride his llama, a peculiar choice of transportation, from Peru to Texarkana. He seems to suggest that this is a journey he's embarking on to reconnect with his own roots and his old neighborhood. The song ends with another reference to the "old but good" substance, implying that the singer's experience has transformed him in some way.


Overall, "Ride My Llama" is an imaginative and cryptic tale that leaves room for a lot of interpretation. It touches on themes of adventure, trust, and the search for identity.


Line by Line Meaning

Remember the Alamo
Recall the historic battle at the Alamo in Texas


When help was on the way
During a time when assistance was forthcoming


It's better here and now
The current situation is more favorable than the past


I feel that good today
I'm experiencing a positive feeling presently


I'd like to take a walk
Having the desire to go for a walk


But not around the block
Not wanting to take a walk in the immediate vicinity


I really got some news
I have some exciting information to share


I met a man from Mars
I encountered an extraterrestrial being


He picked up all my guitars
The alien handled and examined all of my guitars


And played me traveling songs
The alien performed music that evokes a sense of travel and adventure


And when we got on ship
After boarding the alien's spacecraft


He brought out something for the trip
The alien produced an object to enhance the journey


And said, It's old but it's good
The alien referred to the object as being antiquated yet functional


Like any other primitive would
As a primitive species ourselves, we appreciate and value functional, older technology


I'm gonna ride my llama
I intend to ride my trusty steed, the llama


From Peru to Texarkana
I will embark on a journey with my llama from Peru to Texarkana


I want to ride him good
I desire to ride my llama skillfully and with expertise


In my old neighborhood
I will travel on my llama in my hometown


I'm gonna ride him good
I shall ride my llama with great proficiency


In my old neighborhood
I will ride my llama in the familiar surroundings of my hometown




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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