Said the condor to the preying mantis
"We're gonna lose this place just like we lost Atlantis
Brother, we got to go sooner than you know"
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothin' showed

Well, who put the bomb on the sacred altar?
Why should we die if it comes our way?
And why should we care about a little button
Being pushed by someone we don't even know?

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca

If you want to get high, build a strong foundation
Sink those pylons deep now and reach for the sky
If you want to get lost in the jungle rhythm
Get down on the ground and pretend you're swimmin'

If you want to put ice in the lava river
First you must climb, then you must stand and shiver
Brother we got to go sooner than you know
The Gypsy told my fortune, the Gypsy told my fortune
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothing showed

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca
Like an Inca
Like an Inca

Said the condor to the preying mantis
"We're gonna lose this place just like we lost Atlantis
Brother, we got to go sooner than you know"
The Gypsy told my fortune, the Gypsy told my fortune
The Gypsy told my fortune, she said that nothin' showed

Ah, who put the bomb on the sacred altar?
Why should we die if it comes our way?
Why should we care about a little button
Being pushed by someone we don't even know?

Well, I wish I was an Aztec
Or a runner in Peru
I would build such beautiful buildings
To house the chosen few
Like an Inca from Peru
Like an Inca
Like an Inca

I feel sad, but I feel happy
As I'm coming back to home
There's a bridge across the river
That I have to cross alone
Like a skipping rolling stone
Like an Inca


Lyrics submitted by danger bird

Like an Inca Lyrics as written by Neil Young

Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Like an Inca song meanings
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    General Comment

    "Like an Inca" appears to be a rewritten (and watered-down) version of the (apparently) very personal song "Hitchhiker" which he has played live a couple of times. It shares a melody and some of the lyrics, but the original has a much different focus...

    When I was a hitchhiker on the road I had to count on you But you needed me to ease the load And for conversation too Or did you just drive on through?

    You didn't see me in Toronto When I first tried out some hash Smoked some then and I'll do it again If I only had some cash Only had some cash.

    Then I tried amphetamines And my head was in a glass Taped underneath the speedometer wires Of my '48 Buick's dash. But I knew that wouldn't last.

    Then came California Where I first saw open water In the land of opportunity I knew I was getting hotter I knew I was getting hotter.

    But the neon lights And the endless nights The neon lights And the endless nights The neon lights And the endless nights The neon lights And the endless nights They took me by surprise The doctor gave me valium But I still couldn't close my eyes I still couldn't close my eyes.

    Then came paranoia And it ran away with me I couldn't sign my autograph Or appear on TV Or see or be seen See or be seen Or see or be seen.

    Living in the country Sounded good to me Smoking grass while the summer lasts In the real organic sea Where everything was green Everything was green.

    Then we had a kid and we split apart I was living on the road A little cocaine went a long long way To ease that different load But my head did explode My head did explode.

    I wish I was an Aztec Or a runner in Peru I would build such beautiful buildings To house the chosen few Like an Inca from Peru.

    When I was a hitchhiker on the road I had to count on you But you needed me to ease the load And for conversation too Or did you just drive on Did you just drive on Did you just drive on through?

    beer goodon March 26, 2007   Link

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