Born to Run
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Lyrics


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I see the light
of a thousand lamps
burning in your eyes
Still I have to turn away
for you to stay alive

'Cause I was born to run
I was born to run
I was born to run
I was born to run run run

Security had a hold on me
I had a thousand friends
But reality wasn't told to me
And I found out in the end

'Cause I was born to run
I was born to run




I was born to run
I was born to run run run

Overall Meaning

The song "Born to Run" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse is a powerful and deeply emotional ballad that speaks to the struggles of life and the need for freedom and escape. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the piece, with Young describing the light of a thousand lamps burning in his subject's eyes. This light represents hope and the potential for greatness, but also the pain and struggle that comes with it. Despite the intensity of this light, Young must turn away from it to keep his subject alive, representing the sacrifice that must be made for passion and freedom.


The chorus of the song - "I was born to run" - is repeated multiple times throughout the piece, with each repetition adding weight and significance to the lyrics. Young is expressing his belief that he was always destined for something greater, something beyond what the world he lives in has to offer. The verses focus on the difficulties of reality, with Young acknowledging that he once had a thousand friends, but that the truth of the world ultimately severed those relationships. The song ends with a repeated chorus, echoing the feeling of relentless pursuit and endless struggle that characterizes this powerful piece.


Line by Line Meaning

I see the light
I perceive the brightness


of a thousand lamps
emanating from an innumerable number of lights.


burning in your eyes
within your eyes as signs of a strong intensity of feeling.


Still I have to turn away
However, I am compelled to avert my gaze


for you to stay alive
to ensure you continue to live


'Cause I was born to run
Because it is my nature to escape and flee


I had a thousand friends
I enjoyed the company of numerous acquaintances


Security had a hold on me
The sense of being secure or safe controlled and restrained me.


And I found out in the end
Ultimately, I discovered


But reality wasn't told to me
However, the truth about circumstances was kept from me


I was born to run run run
I was destined to escape and flee repeatedly.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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Comments from YouTube:

@wimweender1306

wunderbar ❤

@daviecanning1180

Another piece of class from Neil. Long may you run indeed.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

@dietmarantonius3917

Neil & Crazy wie man sie kennt. Unverwüstlich und immer gut. Danke euch

@CELLE56

Neil est décidément intarissable ! Et c'est pour notre bonheur. Long may he runs🥰☮️🙏

@gibby6904

Thank you Neil!! Music that matters!!

@louiemiranda1922

Another hidden gem from the master of emotions ✌🏼🤟🏼✌🏼

@rudyvandunk4003

In all it's Ragged Glory..!

@tedtrish9984

Neil Young is a mighty redwood 2,000 foot tree of guitar.

@scottp29

His anti American tree needs to be cut down

@markb20

What else can you say about this amazing artist? The gift that keeps on giving...

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