I know there’s not a ton of deadheads on the board but I thought I’d pass the news on. Robert wrote the lyrics for many of the Dead’s best songs. He was a great American musical poet. We lost a good one today. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rolling...ead-889788/amp/
Ripple... If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung Would you hear my voice come through the music Would you hold it near as it were your own? It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung I don't know, don't really care Let there be songs to fill the air Ripple in still water When there is no pebble tossed Nor wind to blow Reach out your hand if your cup be empty If your cup is full may it be again Let it be known there is a fountain That was not made by the hands of men There is a road, no simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night And if you go no one may follow That path is for your steps alone Ripple in still water When there is no pebble tossed Nor wind to blow You who choose to lead must follow But if you fall you fall alone If you should stand then who's to guide you? If I knew the way I would take you home
"Friend of the Devil" was always one of my favorites.
I was a big fan of the ‘weirder’ stuff like Dark Star. Or the great slice of American life stories like Wharf Rat. He was Jerry’s lyrical voice. Their musical relationship was incredibly special.
Wharf Rat is a heartbreaking tale of a down on his luck homeless man that lost a love and fell into a bottle. He tells his sorry to a passer by, that’s also down on his luck (I got no dime but I’ve got some time to hear your story). The listener hears the story and walks away and realizes he’s not much different from the story teller. That one heartbreak, or bad choice, or bout of bad luck can change his life forever too.
Old man down Way down, down, down by the docks of the city Blind and dirty Asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine More than my wine More than my maker, though he's no friend of mine Everyone said I'd come to no good, I knew I would Pearly, believe them Half of my life I spent doin' time for some other [censored]'s crime The other half found me stumbling 'round drunk on Burgundy wine But I'll get back on my feet again someday The good Lord willin' If He says I may I know that the life I'm livin's no good I'll get a new start, live the life I should I'll get up and fly away, I'll get up and fly away, fly away Pearly's been true True to me, true to my dyin' day he said I said to him I said to him, "I'm sure she's been" I said to him, "I'm sure she's been true to you" I got up and wandered Wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around I've got a girl Named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl's been true to me I know she's been, I'm sure she's been true to me
One of the great American lyricists of the 20th/21st century. Easily up there with Bob Dylan. I'm sure he is enjoying seeing his old friends Jerry, Pigpen, Keith & Brent again.
Paradise waits On the crest of a wave Her angels in flame She has no pain Like a child, she is pure She is not to blame Poised for flight Wings spread bright Spring from night Into the sun Don't stop to run She can fly like a lie She cannot be outdone Tell me the cost I can pay Let me go Tell me love is not lost Sell everything Without love, day to day, Insanity is king I will pay Day by day Anyway Lock, bolt and key Crippled but free I was blind All the time I was learning to see Help on the way I know only this I've got you today Don't fly away 'Cause I love what I love And I want it that way I will stay One more day Like I say Honey, it's you Without love in the dream It will never come true
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