Ride on
Shane MacGowan & Cruachan Lyrics
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Standing sixteen, one or two
With eyes so wild and green
And you ride that horse so well
With hands light to the touch
But I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
Ride on, see you
I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
As you ride into the night
Without a trace behind
Run your claw along my gut one last time
I turn to face an empty space
Where you used to lie
I look for the spark to light the dark
Through the teardrops in my eyes
Ride on, see you
I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
Ride on, see you
I could never go with you
No matter how I wanted to
The lyrics of Shane MacGowan and Cruachan's song, "Ride On," capture the bittersweet emotions of a person watching their lover leave them on the back of a magnificent horse. The description of the horse, standing at sixteen hands, with wild green eyes, and the rider's expert handling of it, sets a tone of admiration and awe. However, despite the desire to go with the rider, the singer laments they could never go with them, no matter how much they wanted to.
The second half of the lyrics reveal the depth of the singer's feelings. As the rider disappears into the night, leaving behind only an empty space, the singer struggles to come to terms with the loss. The final lines of the song speak to the universal human experience of trying to find hope in the face of heartbreak, as the singer searches "for the spark to light the dark / through the teardrops in my eyes."
Overall, "Ride On" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the complexities of love and loss, and the sense of longing that can arise when we cannot be with the ones we love.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you ride the finest horse I've ever seen
You boast about riding an excellent horse.
Standing sixteen, one or two
The horse is about 16 hands, 1 or 2 inches tall.
With eyes so wild and green
The horse has captivating green eyes.
And you ride that horse so well
You're an expert in riding that horse.
With hands light to the touch
You guide the horse with gentle touches.
But I could never go with you
I cannot follow you.
No matter how I wanted to
Even if I desired to join you.
As you ride into the night
You disappear into the darkness.
Without a trace behind
You leave no clues or evidence of your whereabouts.
Run your claw along my gut one last time
As a parting gesture, you hurt me emotionally.
I turn to face an empty space
I'm left alone and abandoned.
Where you used to lie
The place where you rested is now empty.
I look for the spark to light the dark
I search for a glimmer of hope in my despair.
Through the teardrops in my eyes
Despite my tears.
Ride on, see you
Continue on your journey.
I could never go with you
I'm unable to follow you.
No matter how I wanted to
Even if I desperately wanted to.
Ride on, see you
Continue on your journey.
I could never go with you
I'm unable to follow you.
No matter how I wanted to
Even if I desperately wanted to.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY MACCARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WuSen9
R.I.P. Shane... But this song in my heart!
@KyxSheWolf
Today this song sounds even sadder than before...
@Grafvongrau
There are no words to describe how beautiful this masterpiece is.
@cruachankeith
Thank you so much
@user-wi2wb6ht5e
Ride on Shane!!! Thanks for your Voice and your Words RIP
@odingrimbart
R.I.P. Shane MacGowan
@TuathadedanannArtBr1
This one have always been fabulous, but now it belongs to eternity!!! RIP, SHANE and hail and thanks Cruachan!
@garyhosty9874
astonishing vocal from Shane !
@meanmattworld
11 years, and I still love this version
@brazelton13
This will always be my favorite version of this song!