Strolling Down the Highway
Nick Drake Lyrics


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Strolling down the highway
I'm gonna get there my way
Dusk till dawn I'm walkin'
Can hear my guitar rocking?

While I stroll on down
On down the highway
People think, I'm a crazing
The Lord above ain't lazing
The sunshine's all day long
[Incomprehensible] far too strong

While I stroll on down
On down the highway

While I stroll on down
On down the highway

The cars won't stop for no one
They don't think that you're just rolling down
They think you're an OAS spy
Gonna shoot them as they go by

No cars, they won't stop
Won't stop for no one

Strolling down the highway
And I'm gonna get there my way
Dusk till dawn I'm walkin'
Can hear my guitar rocking?





While I stroll on down
On down the highway

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nick Drake's "Strolling Down the Highway" showcase the journey of an artist, walking down the highway with his guitar, aimlessly wandering towards his destination. The song begins with the singer stating that he is on the move towards his intended location in his unique style. He's determined to reach his destination alone and in his own way, indicating his self-reliance and independent nature.


As the song progresses, we hear the sound of his guitar strumming, a clear testament to his passion for music. The lyrics capture the sense of confidence and sense of unshakeable determination of the singer, despite the judgment of others labeling him as "crazy." His faith in a higher power and its watching over him, creates an aura of serenity and strength.


The singer's journey is not an easy endeavor. He has to face the constant rush of cars on the road, who do not care for anyone's journey but their own. The cars whizzing by have caused people to suspect him of being a spy. Yet, despite these challenges, the singer continues his journey towards his destination with unrelenting determination.


Overall, the lyrics of this song touch on themes of individuality, determination, perseverance, and the pursuit of one's passions despite societal pressures.


Line by Line Meaning

Strolling down the highway
Walking aimlessly down the road


I'm gonna get there my way
Determined to reach my destination on my own terms


Dusk till dawn I'm walkin'
Walking from sunset to sunrise


Can hear my guitar rocking?
Wondering if others can hear the music I play


While I stroll on down
Continuing to walk down


On down the highway
The path towards my destination


People think, I'm a crazing
Others perceive me as crazy or unconventional


The Lord above ain't lazing
Believing that a higher power is always active and present


The sunshine's all day long
The sun is shining continuously


[Incomprehensible] far too strong
The strength of an unknown force is overwhelming


No cars, they won't stop
Cars passing by won't stop for me


Won't stop for no one
No one can halt the flow of traffic


They think you're an OAS spy
Passersby suspect that I am a spy for a political organization


Gonna shoot them as they go by
Believing that others may try to harm me


And I'm gonna get there my way
Confident that I will reach my destination on my own terms




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERT JANSCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Preston


on Kimbie

And I need

And I need a Mackinaw

Preston


on Kimbie

how

hawl

Preston


on Kimbie

It's not a show. It's a shawl. The point here is that can be once a luxury item, a shawl that costs $9, while the speaker needs a Mackinaw, which is a practical warm coat. She "wants" something, but he "needs" something.

Preston


on Kimbie

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie desires a performance that costs exactly nine dollars

Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie repeatedly expresses her desire for a nine dollar performance

She wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie is insistent on attending a nine dollar show

And I need
The artist has a need that is yet to be revealed

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist is telling Kimbie to let her hair loose and relax

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The singer repeats his request to Kimbie, urging her to let go of her worries

Let your hair hang down
The singer encourages Kimbie to let her hair down, implying that she should stop worrying and enjoy herself

T'il it touches the ground
The artist suggests that Kimbie should let her hair down completely

Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist reminds Kimbie to let go of her worries as he intends to depart soon

Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist emphasizes the importance of Kimbie letting her hair down before he leaves

Cause come the morning I’ll be gone
The singer implies that he will not stay for long

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist questions Kimbie's whereabouts since he last saw her

I’ve been down in your state pen
Kimbie has spent time in a prison located in the singer's state

With those rough and rowdy
Kimbie has been surrounded by aggressive and unruly people

Rough and rowdy men
The people Kimbie has been surrounded by in prison are male and are known for their aggressive behaviour

Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist repeats his question, wondering where Kimbie has been and why she has been away for so long

And I gotta go back again
Kimbie reveals that she has to return to prison once again

Well I wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer expresses his wish to be a mole that burrows underground

I wished I were a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole

I was a mole in the ground
The artist imagines himself as a mole burrowing beneath the surface of the earth

And that I’d tear this mountain
The artist imagines himself digging through a mountain

I’d tear this mountain down
The artist would use his strength to destroy a mountain if he were a mole

Wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole, implying that he wants to be free from the burdens of the human world

Dave


on Free Ride

That interpretation isn't correct at all.

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