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Gamboler Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
Keep a / keep on
I have a doubt.
In the lyrics of the main theme of the movie "Rio Conchos" (1964), music by Jerry Goldsmith, sung by Johnny Desmond, I found an expression repeated twice that is not clear to me. The verses are:
Keep (a / on) riding, the trails are dusty and suns are burning bright.
Keep (a / on) riding to Rio Conchos where we'll be resting tonight.
The doubt is about "keep a riding" or "keep on riding". Do they mean the same? What do you think that the real expression should be here? I haven't found the transcript of the lyrics, but the song is easily found in youtube
In the lyrics of the main theme of the movie "Rio Conchos" (1964), music by Jerry Goldsmith, sung by Johnny Desmond, I found an expression repeated twice that is not clear to me. The verses are:
Keep (a / on) riding, the trails are dusty and suns are burning bright.
Keep (a / on) riding to Rio Conchos where we'll be resting tonight.
The doubt is about "keep a riding" or "keep on riding". Do they mean the same? What do you think that the real expression should be here? I haven't found the transcript of the lyrics, but the song is easily found in youtube
Top answer
gamboler The doubt is about "keep a riding" or "keep on riding". Do they mean the same? Yes.
- gamboler The doubt is about "keep a riding" or "keep on riding".
- Do they mean the same?
- Yes.
- r=66 The prefix a- + v-ing is common in regional dialects of American English (Southern, Western).
- It appears in traditional English Christmas carols and literature.
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3 Answers
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gambolerThe doubt is about "keep a riding" or "keep on riding". Do they mean the same?Yes.
See entry 1.2:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/a#a-2
And entry 2, and the "Word origin" paragraph here:
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Thanks, AlpheccaStars.
So, I presume that you think that Desmond says here "Keep a riding" meaning "Keep on riding". Am I right?
So, I presume that you think that Desmond says here "Keep a riding" meaning "Keep on riding". Am I right?
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It's hard even for native speakers to pick every syllable from sung lyrics.
These two would sound very similar
#2 has the nuance of being more determined, slogging on, through bad weather, troubles, and difficulties.
#1 is more light-hearted and happy.
These two would sound very similar
- Keep a-riding
- Keep on riding
#2 has the nuance of being more determined, slogging on, through bad weather, troubles, and difficulties.
#1 is more light-hearted and happy.
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