The song “I’m Riding” is the first song I ever wrote. I was only 16 years old and I thought of it while I was riding a donkey down Waimea Canyon. I could hear the sound of clickety-clack coming from the donkey’s hooves.
The song “I’m Riding” is the first song I ever wrote. I was only 16 years old and I thought of it while I was riding a donkey down Waimea Canyon. I could hear the sound of clickety-clack coming from the donkey’s hooves.
Swinging side-to-side, I started to hum, and then started to get a melody in the rhythm. I completed the song on a neighbor’s piano in Kekaha.
Here’s the lyrics:
“I’m Riding”
Riding, riding along, riding, riding along
I’m riding, just keepin’ on a going along
I’m heading for that lonely land and I’m traveling all alone
I’m going just keepin’ on a going along
I’m heading for that lonely land for to see may gal
Chorus:
I only know there must be a goal
I can’t stop now for I’m heading home
I’m riding, just keepin’ on a going along
I see the new horizon is filled with happiness
Riding, riding along, riding along
•••
Larry Rivera has been a musician on Kaua‘i for more than six decades, and shares the stories behind his songs in “Lyrics of Aloha,” appearing once a month in the Sunday edition of The Garden Island. Win prizes and earn an entry in the Vacations Hawai‘i Vegas vacation for two drawing by listening to KONG radio the following Monday and Tuesday between 6 and 8 a.m. and taking part in a contest based on the column.
