Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Stop and Go” by Ella Jenkins
The traditional American folk song “Stop and Go” by Ella Jenkins tells the story of a traveler and his horse. In the song, the rider is travelling through different places while his horse remains a constant companion, reliable and speedy. Jenkins’ lyrics feel as if they’re part of an adventure, full of twists and turns.
In the beginning of the song, the traveler’s journey has just started, with him setting off “straight away”. The tempo of the song and Jenkins’ cheerful singing reflect the excitement of a new journey, and the traveler’s eagerness to reach their destination “in a little while”. The traveler talks about his horse throughout the song, describing it as “fast-paced” and “speedy” as they travel over the “bumpy grains” and “firm railways”. In the chorus, the traveler suggests techniques used to control the horse, singing “Stop! And Go…”. This phrase is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that no matter how fast the horse runs, the traveler can always maintain control over it — an important detail for a long journey.
As the journey continues, the traveler encounters different climates: from hot deserts to “icy breezing” winds and snow. Here, the horse’s speed is admired because it allows the traveler to “skip the icy air” or “jump over the rainy clouds”.
Overall, the song conveys how the horse is an integral part of the journey, and is always dependable and useful. The traveler and the horse keep pushing on, together, through the unexpected and ever-changing environment. In the end, the traveler is successful in reaching his destination, and although the horse is not mentioned in the last verse, the traveler’s admiration for it remains evident.