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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Neil's beloved Pontiac hearse, "Mort" (a.k.a. "Mortimer Hearseburg"), was the inspiration for this song. Neil drove "Mort" from Toronto to Los Angeles, where he met Stephen Stills and formed Buffalo Springfield.

Neil was driving to Sudbury when 'Mort' broke down in Blind River, June 1965. (Which is contradictory to the lyrics; "well it was back in Blind River, in 1962, when I last saw you alive").

This is the title track of The Stills-Young Band album, released in 1976.

In addition to Young's compilation album Decade this also appears on his 1993 album Unplugged. (thanks, Paulus - Tasmania, Australia, for all above)

Comments:

Well, being of an investigative spirit, I couldn't keep from doing a more in depth study of this subject. According to notes from James Dusewicz' R&R website- see link here- (http://www.angelfire.com/rock2/traces/pages/bs.html) Jonathan is most likely on the right path, The only thing stated wrongly here is that the car you should be looking for is a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Hearse. Neil had two hearses; a 1948 Buick and a 1953 Pontiac. The '48 Buick was likely a 'Flxible' hearse that would have been manufactured in Loudenville, OH. It would (probably) be a straight 8 cylinder engine with a 3-spd manual transmission. The chrome heart may have been the windshield wiper motor that was heart shaped and used on GM vehicles of the day. Another thought, it may have been a replacement hood ornament, or a cool way of noting the chrome angel hood ornaments of the day.... The Buick was being driven from Winnipeg to Sudbury ~6/15-18/1965, where it lost a trans-gear on the downhill run between Iron Bridge and Blind River. It was towed into Blind River and left there. Neil thought it an omen, left the car there and continued on to Toronto to play bass with the Mynah Birds (founder-Rick James of Funk fame). Rick James (Mathews) who was AWOL from the US Military was arrested and sent back to USA. In Feb. '66 Bruce Palmer (Buf. Sprgfld Bassist?) and Neil sold the PA equipment and amps, bought Mort II (the '53 Pontiac) Hearse and headed to LA, California to find Steven Stills. The '53 Pontiac was most likely a Meteor conversion built just 10 miles from me in Piqua, OH. The car to look for is indeed, a 1948 Buick Roadmaster Hearse converted by Flxible Mfg. A photo of Mort's sister can be found here-- http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/f/flxible/flxible_pics.htm Second picture from the bottom. That is my best assessment. Neil probably isn't interested, as this was seen as a timely omen, and the past is best to stay in the past.....Long May You Run! Burky
- Dave, Tipp City, OH

Wow, Where to begin? As a 9 year old kid my family traveled through Blind River (May 1969). Dad was on a business trip from Montreal to Ohio via the Soo. We stopped in Blind River for lunch and fished for Perch on the old dock near the mouth of the Mississauga, just down from the spillway. I caught a Northern Pike on a small rod and reel, and nearly pissed myself. That August we returned and stayed at the Motel on the east side of the river. It was a 12 hour trip one way, but one that led to a great many more. That summer we drove out Rt.555 to Birch Lodge on Lake Magog (Granery), run by The Browns. They were a sweet couple who rented cabins to tourists for fishing in the summer. Spent at least a week there every summer through 1978. I understand their grandson Brian may still live in the area and drive trucks. I recall a garage operated on the east end of town (along Hwy 17). They worked on cars, sold outboard motors, motorcycles, and even had a small grocery next door that served hand-dipped ice cream. This may be the same place noted above. I will check through pics of the area from back in the day, to see if an old hearse may have been visible... mom always took too many pics...lol Anyway, every-time I hear this song, I still cop a smile. Blind River was a wonderful memory from my youth. There was a bakery, a small meat market near the north end of Lawton St ? (run by an Italian Family), and a Chinese diner that had great food. Also, I recall my folks having a missionary friend named Sister Miss Thompson, who was a sweet old saint that also cared for her father (over 100) when they met. Best part of the memory is; I took my own family there in 1996, and had the opportunity to watch my 9 year old son catch his first fish, a perch, from the same river spillway that I had fished as a 9 year old nearly 30 years earlier. Back in the Day, Hwy 17 was 2-lanes, and still of gravel composition east of Blind River (near Sudbury). If Neil was on a motorcycle, whether '62, '65, or 1969, he was traveling some mighty desolate roads. Riding a motorcycle in the 60's on that road would have been some Iron-butt riding. This indeed, would be a great topic to share a cup of coffee over. Lastly, I saw Neil with CSN in Columbus, OH a couple years back. Neil still has the energy of an 18 year old, and closed the show with "Rockin' in the Free World"! Neil, long may YOU run!!!!!
- Dave, Tipp City, OH

Hi Natasha. I visited the garage on Craig Street on July 11th 2008. I was taken there by the guy who towed the hearse (Mort)into Blind River to his father's garage when in broke down. They diagnosed the problem (transmission) but didn't have time to repair it so it was moved to the garage you mention. I am doing some research on the hearse and would welcome an opportunity to speak with your grandfather who claims to have repaired the hearse (I'm certain I know the family name). There are, however, some discrepancies with the dates. In one particular biography on Neil Young the author says Neil left what is now Thunder Bay for Toronto in the hearse in 1965, not 1962. The guy who towed the hearse says it was 1962, same year mentioned in the song. However, in the song Neil says "It was back in Blind River in 1962/When I last saw you alive." This suggests the hearse wasn't repaired. The guy who towed it says it was (presumably by your grandfather), but others say Neil abandonded the hearse. What do you know? Please email me at jonacum@hotmail.com. The hearse Neil drove to LA from Toronto is a different one to the one that broke down in Blind River. The Young's in Blind River are not related to Neil.
- jonathan, canterbury, ON

I have always loved this song. Quit trying to figure out what it means. Just listen to it and enjoy it. Over and over and over.......
- Derby, Nipomo, CA

I adore this song. Musically it makes me think of Neil Young + the Beach Boys. It's like him doing a Beach Boys tune, but his way.
- David, huntington beach, CA

Im not really sure what the meaning "Long May You Run" is but I know this. He was touring in his hearse and it broke down in blind river. my grand father who was a mechanic at the time repaired it for him. For any of you who know where blind river is it was off of colonization road on a street that is now named craig street where the big yellow garage still stands , my parents and grand parents still live there on that street. my grand father who was also very much into music played with neil in that garage.
- Natasha, Blind River, Canada

All of you pay att : Neil wrote this song because of his love for Harley Davidson bikes - and that is it !!
- Dean, Plettenberg bay, South Africa

One of the songs played right before the start of this year's Boston Marathon. Given how lousy the weather was, the lyrics "We found things to do in stormy weather; Long may you run," could not have been anymore apropos.
- John, Campbell, CA

Niel was born in Toronto, then moved at a very young age to Winnipeg, Manitoba. As for the hearse, it's not in Blind River. Neil drove it to LA., with his friend bassist Bruce Palmer, where they picked up David Crosby hitchhiking. The song is actually about the motorcycle he drove out of Winnipeg to Toronto. Hearse's don't have "chrome hearts", but bikes do. It blew a gear, (or maybe the brakes?), "on that long decline" - a very long, twisting downhill run into Blind River on Hwy 17. I've driven it many times. I believe he got the hearse later, maybe in Sudbury, probably in Toronto. Nobody would drive from Toronto to LA via Blind River!! Look at a map. It's the longest possible way to go! It may not even have been possible in the early 60's. Across the border at Niagra Falls or Detroit would be far more likely. Never mind the hearse, I'd like to find out what happened to that bike, or for that matter what make was it? Anyone know any info?
- Mike, Mellonville, Canada

I know a girl who once said that the song was written about her aunt, who knew Young in the 60's and lived in Blind river until her death, Suposedly Young frequented her funeral...
- Nasruddin, Cochrane, Canada

Young writes in the liner notes of Decade that this song was written about "a girl and a car"
- Nasruddin, Cochrane, Canada

This is one of my favorite Neil Young songs. I think it is a happy feelgood song about Neil's first car. It also throws a bone to the Beach Boys who at the time, unjustly in my opinion, were thought to be unhip because of some things Jimi Hendrix said in the late 60's.
- Steve, Fenton, MO

I have read that originally the song was made with David Crosby and Graham Nash, but that their labels would not release them for the album. Hence, their tracks were dropped off and the "Stills-Young Band" remained. Tom, Memphis
- Tom, Memphis, TN

He was born in Toronto, but he grew up in Winnipeg.
- Fredrik, Steinkjer, Norway

well . . . i was kind'a close in my view of what the lyrics referred to. i felt it was nothing to do with a girl or friend, but was personifying a thing. i knew Neil Young never quit playing & living Rock&Roll, from folk to rock to country rock/americana to punk to back to his roots again, decade after decade. watch Neil on stage now; same appearance, moves and style and youthful energy. he still lives R&R like he was still 24 or so. so i felt he was referring to music, more precisely Rock&Roll. i bet he prays for R&R, i know i do. R&R keeps me glued together.
- Billy, Statesboro, GA

Hey Gang: Did anybody listen to the lyrics? This is, at least in part, a tribute to Brian Wilson. D.C.
- Dave, Broadmoor, CA

I think he grew up in Omeeme which is a small village just west of Peterborough on Hwy 7
- Dave, Collingwood, Canada

I'm not sure where Neil young lived as a child rebecca, but I don't think he lived in blind River. I think he lived in ontario for a while. Toronto maybe. I'm not positive, so don't bet me on it.
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

"Long May You Run" My Name is Rebecca Young Im from Blind River, But now I live in Toronto, Onartio. Can someone till me if he from Blind River. Because he might be related to us Young's in Blind River, Onartio. Can someone tell me this E-mail me Young101_89@hotmail.com To: Neil Young
- Rebecca, Blind River, Ontario, Canada

I am from Blind River ( pop.3500). We all feel famous. Rumour has it he played a song or 2 at the local bar.
- Christine, Antigonish, Canada

Members of the Beach Boys share back-up vocals.
- Dan, Winthrop, MA