The Horses
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics


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We will fly way up high
Where the cold wind blows
Or in the sun laughing having fun
With lot of people that she knows

And if the situation should keep us separated
You know the world won't fall apart
And you will free the beautiful bird
That's caught inside your heart

Can't you hear her?
Oh, she cries so loud
Casts her wild note
Over water and cloud

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
We'll be riding on the horses, yeah
Way up in the sky, little darlin'
If you fall I'll pick you up, pick you up

You will grow and until you go
I'll be right there by your side
And even then whisper the wind
And she will carry up your ride

I hear all the people of the world
In one bird's lonely cry
See them trying every way they know how
To make their spirit fly

Can't you see him?
He's down on the ground
He has a broken wing
Looking all around

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
You go riding on the horses, yeah
Way up in the sky, little darlin'
If you fall, I'll pick you up, pick you up

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
You go riding on the horses, yeah
Way up in the sky, little darlin'
If you fall, I'll pick you up, pick you up
If you fall, I'll pick you up, pick you up
If you fall, I'll pick you up, pick you up

I'll pick you up darlin' if you fall
Don't worry 'bout a thing little girl
Because I was young myself not so long ago




When I was young, when I was young
Oh, oh, an' when I was young, I was a wild, wild one

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rickie Lee Jones’s song The Horses seem to be about the power of love and the freedom it can bring. The singer is describing flying high, with wind blowing around them, or laughing in the sun with a group of people. The beauty of love is that it doesn't need physical proximity to thrive. Even if their love separates them physically, they will still be connected emotionally, and that will never go away. This bond is so powerful that it will free any bird that's caught in the singer's heart, allowing them to achieve their own freedom.


The second verse introduces a bird that cries over water and clouds. It connects all the people of the world in its song, highlighting how humans are trying to find different ways to gain their own sense of freedom. Even with a broken wing, the bird is always striving to soar. However, the singer is always there to comfort and heal them, should they fall. The final lines seem to reflect on the singer’s own wild youth, which has perhaps taught them the value of love and support.


Line by Line Meaning

We will fly way up high
Let's leave our troubles behind and have fun, just like flying high up in the sky.


Where the cold wind blows
We can face the cold winds of change and uncertainty as long as we're together.


Or in the sun laughing having fun
We can also have a good time under the sun, surrounded by friends and laughter.


With lot of people that she knows
Let's share the joy of life with others we know and love.


And if the situation should keep us separated
If life separates us, we'll still be okay because we have each other in our hearts.


You know the world won't fall apart
Even if we're apart, the world won't end and we'll find a way to be together again.


And you will free the beautiful bird
You'll be able to release your inner beauty and passion just like a bird that's been set free.


That's caught inside your heart
There's something special inside you that needs to be shared with the world.


Can't you hear her?
Can't you hear the sound of your heart that's beating with excitement and love?


Oh, she cries so loud
Your heart's desire is strong and passionate, and it won't be silenced.


Casts her wild note
Your heart song is unique and powerful, wild like a bird's call.


Over water and cloud
Your heart's song can cross all boundaries, even over vast land and sea.


That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
This is how life and love will be for us, my beloved.


We'll be riding on the horses, yeah
We'll be free and adventurous, just like riding wild horses across an open plain.


Way up in the sky, little darlin'
We'll be able to reach for the stars and go on amazing adventures while up high in the sky.


If you fall I'll pick you up, pick you up
If you stumble or struggle, I'll be there to help lift you up and help you keep going.


You will grow and until you go
You'll grow and experience many things until the time comes for you to leave and move on.


I'll be right there by your side
I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens in life.


And even then whisper the wind
Even after you've left, I'll still think of you and remember the wonderful times we shared.


And she will carry up your ride
The wind will carry your spirit and memories far and wide, even beyond this lifetime.


I hear all the people of the world
I can hear the people of the world and their dreams and hopes for something greater.


In one bird's lonely cry
All these diverse voices come together in unity, just like in the cry of a bird.


See them trying every way they know how
People are always trying to find their way in life and express themselves in many different ways.


To make their spirit fly
The human spirit is free, always looking to soar and break free from limitations.


Can't you see him?
Can't you see the wounded bird that's struggling and needs our help?


He's down on the ground
He's fallen and needs our caring and supportive action to get back up.


He has a broken wing
The bird is hurt and needs healing and care to recover fully and fly again.


Looking all around
The bird is seeking help and connection, looking for someone to share his troubles with.


You go riding on the horses, yeah
You go on and go on adventures and try out new things, even if they seem scary or difficult at first.


I'll pick you up darlin' if you fall
I'll be your support and help you recover and keep going even if you stumble or encounter setbacks.


Don't worry 'bout a thing little girl
Relax and trust that everything will be okay, even in the face of uncertainty.


Because I was young myself not so long ago
I know what it's like to feel uncertain or scared, but I've learned and grown from my experiences.


When I was young, when I was young
I remember being young and full of dreams, just like you are now.


Oh, oh, an' when I was young, I was a wild, wild one
I was full of energy and passion, just like you are now, and I was eager to explore the world and all its wonders.




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

amorzz100

We will fly way up high
Where the cold wind blows
Or in the sun, laughing and having fun
With the people that she knows
And if the situation should keep us separated
You know the world won't fall apart
And you will free the beautiful bird
That's caught inside your heart

Can't you hear her?
Oh she cries so loud
Casts her wild note
Over water and cloud

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
We'll be riding on the horses, yeah
Way up in the sky, little darlin'
And if you fall I'll pick you up, pick you up

You will grow, and until you go
I'll be right there by your side
And even then, whisper the wind
And she will carry up your ride
I hear all the people of the world
In a little bird's lonely cry
See them trying every way they know how
To make their spirits fly

Can't you see him?
He's down on the ground
He has a broken wing
Looking all around

That's the way it's gonna be, little darlin'
You'll be riding on the horses, yeah
Way up in the sky, little darlin'
And if you fall I'll pick you up, pick you up

Don't worry 'bout a thing little girl
Because I was young myself not so long ago
And when I was young, when I was young
And when I was young, oh I was a wild, wild one.



All comments from YouTube:

Lou Bennett

I got to sing with this legend in Melbourne Australia. Oh what a hard task mistress she was! And one of the most precious highlights of my musical career. 🥰

Michelle Hult

She’s amazing! Writes, plays and sings all her own music. Such a rare artist!

Patricia Alva

Before I picked up my smoking habits I had a great voice but even then I would'nt be able to do it did it intimidate you were u nervous

Lulu

🤩

Anthony Moore

She's a magician with the lyrics and the inflections in her voice. 

Silvia Ferrari

I love your comment. She truly has a magical vocal inflection

Anthony Moore

@Silvia Ferrari Thank you, Silvia. She's always caught my "ear" from the very first. Cool, slinky...just love it.

mikebtko

Rickie, indeed... I'm an LA teen, who grew up really too fast... Rickie unknowingly wrote about people I mixed with in the motel rooms and in the streets of LA. Much like her songs, but, that came from her own experiences, and oddly "WEST SIDE STORY"... She captivated me, and made me cry with her debut album and from then on... Rickie's an artist's artist!! She's genius, her musicality comes from a very deep place. I'm grateful to have caught the ride from 1979. When I first heard the single on the radio of "Chuck E's In Love", I said "Oh God, she was what was missing. I'm 54 years old now. I really think the recording industry ripped her off.. I'm from the big City of Angels... Where every music buff owned at least the Debut and "Pirates", and then the diehards like me bought them all... Oh well.... Just felt like sharing. Her voice pierces with a beautiful cry in it. Then creeps in a window like an innapropriate voyeur, listening to a mother settling a child down with a lullaluby. Or a woman singing softly to her lover... The writing is so unique. We used to drive to Palm Springs and listen to "Flying Cowboys"... It was a perfect soundtrack. I saw her at the Wiltern Theater at the time of the "Flying Cowboys" album. A couple was entertaining a Chinese couple, on their two week business trip. They had only heard "Chuck E's In Love". And loved it from 10 years before, but nothing else from Rickie. Both, the Chinese husband and wife were in tears. They were blown away by Rickie's artistry. They were wiping the tears from their eyes, after her show completed, and they said, "How come her music isn't being played on American radio, it's so beautiful!!!" As if saying what is being played on American radio was sub-par.. Me and my friends just looked at each other. Because we had once asked ourselves that question long ago... Even Ghostyhead had a special mixing of "Firewalker" that made every album endeavor worthwhile for me... yes, even Ghostyhead...
https://youtu.be/7yb2sO_Lhus

Deborah Hoffer

Like your shir girl

Snap happy

Daryl Braithwaite's version has become an iconic Aussie anthem. Didn't realise until coming here it was written by Rickie Lee. Love her.

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