Ezy Ryder – English Lyrics

• By: Jimi Hendrix
• Album: The Cry of Love

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into the vibrant world of Jimi Hendrix's "Ezy Ryder" to explore not just legendary guitar work, but also the dynamic language and counter-cultural spirit of the late 1960s. This song offers a rich vocabulary for expressing freedom, desire, and the pursuit of an ideal, making it a powerful and engaging piece for language learners to connect with an iconic era of music history.

[English]

Ezy, Ezy Ryder

Ridin' down the highways of desire

Tryin' to find higher

Tryin' to reach the heavens above

But he's dyin' to be loved

He's livin' is magic

Today is forever, he claims

Dyin' is so tragic

But don't you worry 'bout a thing

'Cause we're gonna be gettin' our freedom comin' our way

Freedom comin' our way

See all the lovers say do what you please

Look at all the brothers they got to be free

Look in the eyes of an angel dust

I think I see a freak

Hey, motorcycle mama

Will you marry me?

And I don't wanna be

Stoned, stoned

Stoned crazy

Stoned crazy

Ezy, Ezy Ryder

Still can't find his heaven up there

He's tryin', tryin' to find higher

Just might go out in flames

But all the lovers say the same

"Ride on"

Ride on

Ride on, baby

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ride /raɪd/ A1	verb - to travel on a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle noun - a journey on a horse, bicycle, or motorcycle
highway /ˈhaɪweɪ/ A2	noun - a main road for traveling long distances
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B1	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something verb - to want something very much
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover something
heaven /ˈhevən/ B1	noun - the place where God lives, or where good people go when they die
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to feel a strong affection for someone
magic /ˈmædʒɪk/ A2	noun - the power to do impossible things
forever /fərˈevər/ A2	adverb - for all time; always
tragic /ˈtrædʒɪk/ B2	adjective - causing great sadness; disastrous
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B1	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants
lover /ˈlʌvər/ A2	noun - a person who loves someone else in a romantic way
brother /ˈbrʌðər/ A1	noun - a male sibling
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
angel /ˈeɪndʒəl/ A2	noun - a spiritual being believed to act as a messenger of God
freak /friːk/ B2	noun - a person who is considered unusual or strange
motorcycle /ˈməʊtərsʌɪkəl/ B1	noun - a two-wheeled motor vehicle
mama /ˈmɑːmə/ A1	noun - mother
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ A2	adjective - mentally ill; insane
flames /fleɪmz/ B1	noun - a hot, glowing mass of burning gas

Key Grammar Structures

• Ridin' down the highways of desire

  ➔ Present continuous tense with contraction

  ➔ The word 'Ridin'' is a contraction of 'Riding,' which is the present continuous tense indicating an action happening now. It shows the ongoing action of the Ezy Ryder.

• Tryin' to find higher

  ➔ Present continuous tense with contraction

  ➔ The word 'Tryin'' is a contraction of 'Trying,' which is the present continuous tense. It emphasizes the ongoing effort of the Ezy Ryder to find something higher.

• But he's dyin' to be loved

  ➔ Present continuous tense with contraction

  ➔ The phrase 'he's dyin'' is a contraction of 'he is dying,' used in a figurative sense to express a strong desire. It highlights the Ezy Ryder's deep longing to be loved.

• Today is forever, he claims

  ➔ Simple present tense with emphasis

  ➔ The phrase 'Today is forever' uses the simple present tense to make a bold statement. The word 'claims' adds emphasis to the assertion, showing the Ezy Ryder's perspective on time.

• But don't you worry 'bout a thing

  ➔ Negative imperative with contraction

  ➔ The phrase 'don't you worry' is a negative imperative with a contraction, used to reassure the listener. It conveys a sense of comfort and encouragement.

• Look at all the brothers they got to be free

  ➔ Imperative mood with emphasis

  ➔ The phrase 'Look at all the brothers' uses the imperative mood to draw attention. The words 'they got to be free' emphasize the necessity of freedom for the brothers.

• I think I see a freak

  ➔ Present simple tense with modal verb

  ➔ The phrase 'I think I see' uses the present simple tense with the modal verb 'think' to express uncertainty. It shows the speaker's tentative observation.

• And I don't wanna be stoned, stoned

  ➔ Negative contraction with repetition

  ➔ The phrase 'I don't wanna be stoned' uses a negative contraction for emphasis. The repetition of 'stoned' intensifies the speaker's aversion to the state.