• https://www.dead.net/features/blairs-golden-road-blog/blair%E2%80%99s-golden-road-blog-%E2%80%94-celebrating-robert-hunters-70th-birthday
    Blair’s Golden Road Blog — Celebrating Robert Hunter's 70th Birthday!

    OK, we made a big deal about Phil turning 70 last year, and Bob Dylan got an endless (but very interesting) Rolling Stone cover story for turning 70 a few weeks ago. But now it’s time to give some serious props to Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, whose 70th birthday is June 23.

    It’s hard to know where to begin in honoring this man who has had more of an impact on me than any other songwriter or poet; in fact, no one else even comes close. His words have been part of the fabric of my life for more than 40 years, and I continue to draw new inspiration from them daily in myriad ways, consciously and unconsciously. You know how it goes: “Once in a while you get shown the light….” When my nearly grown children were babies, I sang them “Brokedown Palace” and “Bird Song” (complete with “doo-doo’d” middle guitar jam!) to rock them to sleep. At a memorial service for my close friend Jon a few weeks ago, my daughter and his teenage children sang “Uncle John’s Band” in front of 200 people, and the event was laced together with recordings of “Attics of My Life,” “The Wheel,” “Brokedown Palace” and a sing-along “Ripple.” These are the songs of my people.

    Back in February 1988, I interviewed Hunter for The Golden Road, and I articulated a few thoughts about his writing in the introduction to the interview that I’d like to share here, as they are as apt now as they were 23 years ago:

    At this point, Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter probably needs no introduction to most of you. Chances are his work is an indelible part of your consciousness. He literally (pun only semi-intended) writes words to live by: How many among our Dead Head ranks can say we have not been profoundly affected by this gentle sage? Who has not been uplifted by his stirring optimism, empathized with his characters’ soul-searching, confusion and wanderlust? If the Grateful Dead’s music is the soundtrack of our lives, then Hunter’s words are the touchstones. They are points of reference along the way that seem to explain to us what is happening, where we’ve been, and even help us chart a course for where we might go next.

    My personal experience with Hunter’s lyrics has been that he has created a vast sea of swirling images, ideas and connections of which I have a vague surface understanding. Then, as if I’ve gotten a hearty whack of the Zen master’s stick (because I asked another stupid question), I get flashes of true understanding when I least expect it, and the lyric that once seemed dense and inaccessible suddenly becomes crystal clear. These bits and pieces then start falling together—sort of like a slow-motion film of an explosion, only in reverse, where the shards and fragments move from chaos to cohesion. There are Hunter lyrics I’ve heard, memorized and sung along to thousands of times that are still completely baffling to me, but in general, living with these songs has been a process of seeing meaning constantly, if slowly, unfolding before me. Surely this is art’s greatest function.

    It’s easy to take Hunter’s work for granted, because at this point is feels so familiar, so comfortable, so emotionally right, that it’s taken on some of the mystical glow of Ancient Wisdom—as if it’s always been there to discover and we’ve just stumbled upon it. But take a moment and think about the incredible range of this man’s work: The nearly Taoist simplicity of “Ripple” and “Attics of My Life”; the fractured psychedelia of “China Cat Sunflower” and “The Eleven”; the playful metaphors of “Deal” and “Run for the Roses”; the colorful portraits of working stiffs in “Cumberland Blues” and “Easy Wind”; the dreamy disconnectedness of “Row Jimmy”; mythological journeys through the psyche by way of “Terrapin Station” and “Franklin’s Tower”; straightforward declarations of love like “To Lay Me Down” and “If I Had the World to Give”; the cartoonish whimsy of “Tennessee Jed” and “When Push Comes to Shove”; the world-weary existentialism of “Stella Blue” and “Black Muddy River”; and the steadfast stoicism of “Playing in the Band” and “The Wheel.” There are hundreds of songs in the Hunter canon, most of them wildly different from each other, but all of them shoot points of light into humanity’s mirror to give us fleeting glances of our inner selves.

    That was written years before the last bursts of writing he did with Jerry, which produced such beautiful and evocative pieces as “Standing on the Moon,” “So Many Roads,” “Lazy River Road” and “Days Between.” And since Jerry’s been gone, Hunter has continued to write poetic, provocative, gritty, playful and heavy lyrics for many fine artists—that will be the subject of next week’s blog.

    We also owe Hunter an eternal debt for shepherding Deadnet Central in its early days and allowing it to become the fascinating/illuminating/maddening clearing house of Dead Head opinions/rants/nonsense that it has been since Jerry’s passing. His online “journal” in the late ’90s (sort of a proto-blog) helped many of us through the grieving process, and I will always be grateful for the clarity and openness of his writing during that time.

    In the weeks since I first determined I’d be celebrating Hunter’s 70th with a blog post (or two), I’ve thought a lot about the songs he’s written that have most affected me through the years. So I made a list of 10 favorites (How audacious! How dumb!) that get me every time (not listed—about 50 others that I love as much in other ways!) Here they are, in no particular order:

    “Terrapin Station,” “Comes a Time,” “Uncle John’ Band,” “Mission in the Rain” “The Wheel,” “Ripple,” “Attics of My Life,” “Crazy Fingers,” “Stella Blue,” “Standing on the Moon.”

    Yikes, I’m already having regrets about omissions! "Box of Rain," damn it! But without question, each of those holds a special place in my heart and my personal cosmos.

    I also came up with this list of five I think may be underrated by most Dead Heads: “What’s Become of the Baby” (at least the lyrics!), “High Time,” “Valerie,” “Rubin and Cherise,” “Lazy River Road.”

    Stop me before I list again!

    Now I’d love to hear what you have to say about Hunter’s lyrics. Which songs speak to you most? Any cool experiences with the lyrics you’d like to relay— “that time I was in Nepal and I heard ‘Eyes of the World’ coming out of mud hut in this tiny village…”?

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    _jeff
    12 years 8 months ago
    cool picture...so many wild
    cool picture...so many wild lyrics
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    highgreenchilly
    12 years 8 months ago
    Annotated Lyrics
    I also need to give a shout out to this fine work. I love this book. I think another thing I like about Hunter's lyrics is the history lessons/nods to the past I get from thinking about them. What pop/rock songs now can actually make you think like that? None that I know of...
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    highgreenchilly
    12 years 8 months ago
    Very Underrated Songwriter
    I think my favorite thing about Hunter's lyrics is that he often leaves the lyrics open to interpretation. Like in Terrapin, "you decide if he was wise" and "his job is to shed light". Thanks, RH for shedding light for all these years.(I would have liked to have seen the GD have a few more years to play The Days Between. I think this song was/could have been a monster rivaling Morning Dew for late 2nd set Jerry!)
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OK, we made a big deal about Phil turning 70 last year, and Bob Dylan got an endless (but very interesting) Rolling Stone cover story for turning 70 a few weeks ago. But now it’s time to give some serious props to Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, whose 70th birthday is June 23.

It’s hard to know where to begin in honoring this man who has had more of an impact on me than any other songwriter or poet; in fact, no one else even comes close. His words have been part of the fabric of my life for more than 40 years, and I continue to draw new inspiration from them daily in myriad ways, consciously and unconsciously. You know how it goes: “Once in a while you get shown the light….” When my nearly grown children were babies, I sang them “Brokedown Palace” and “Bird Song” (complete with “doo-doo’d” middle guitar jam!) to rock them to sleep. At a memorial service for my close friend Jon a few weeks ago, my daughter and his teenage children sang “Uncle John’s Band” in front of 200 people, and the event was laced together with recordings of “Attics of My Life,” “The Wheel,” “Brokedown Palace” and a sing-along “Ripple.” These are the songs of my people.

Back in February 1988, I interviewed Hunter for The Golden Road, and I articulated a few thoughts about his writing in the introduction to the interview that I’d like to share here, as they are as apt now as they were 23 years ago:

At this point, Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter probably needs no introduction to most of you. Chances are his work is an indelible part of your consciousness. He literally (pun only semi-intended) writes words to live by: How many among our Dead Head ranks can say we have not been profoundly affected by this gentle sage? Who has not been uplifted by his stirring optimism, empathized with his characters’ soul-searching, confusion and wanderlust? If the Grateful Dead’s music is the soundtrack of our lives, then Hunter’s words are the touchstones. They are points of reference along the way that seem to explain to us what is happening, where we’ve been, and even help us chart a course for where we might go next.

My personal experience with Hunter’s lyrics has been that he has created a vast sea of swirling images, ideas and connections of which I have a vague surface understanding. Then, as if I’ve gotten a hearty whack of the Zen master’s stick (because I asked another stupid question), I get flashes of true understanding when I least expect it, and the lyric that once seemed dense and inaccessible suddenly becomes crystal clear. These bits and pieces then start falling together—sort of like a slow-motion film of an explosion, only in reverse, where the shards and fragments move from chaos to cohesion. There are Hunter lyrics I’ve heard, memorized and sung along to thousands of times that are still completely baffling to me, but in general, living with these songs has been a process of seeing meaning constantly, if slowly, unfolding before me. Surely this is art’s greatest function.

It’s easy to take Hunter’s work for granted, because at this point is feels so familiar, so comfortable, so emotionally right, that it’s taken on some of the mystical glow of Ancient Wisdom—as if it’s always been there to discover and we’ve just stumbled upon it. But take a moment and think about the incredible range of this man’s work: The nearly Taoist simplicity of “Ripple” and “Attics of My Life”; the fractured psychedelia of “China Cat Sunflower” and “The Eleven”; the playful metaphors of “Deal” and “Run for the Roses”; the colorful portraits of working stiffs in “Cumberland Blues” and “Easy Wind”; the dreamy disconnectedness of “Row Jimmy”; mythological journeys through the psyche by way of “Terrapin Station” and “Franklin’s Tower”; straightforward declarations of love like “To Lay Me Down” and “If I Had the World to Give”; the cartoonish whimsy of “Tennessee Jed” and “When Push Comes to Shove”; the world-weary existentialism of “Stella Blue” and “Black Muddy River”; and the steadfast stoicism of “Playing in the Band” and “The Wheel.” There are hundreds of songs in the Hunter canon, most of them wildly different from each other, but all of them shoot points of light into humanity’s mirror to give us fleeting glances of our inner selves.

That was written years before the last bursts of writing he did with Jerry, which produced such beautiful and evocative pieces as “Standing on the Moon,” “So Many Roads,” “Lazy River Road” and “Days Between.” And since Jerry’s been gone, Hunter has continued to write poetic, provocative, gritty, playful and heavy lyrics for many fine artists—that will be the subject of next week’s blog.

We also owe Hunter an eternal debt for shepherding Deadnet Central in its early days and allowing it to become the fascinating/illuminating/maddening clearing house of Dead Head opinions/rants/nonsense that it has been since Jerry’s passing. His online “journal” in the late ’90s (sort of a proto-blog) helped many of us through the grieving process, and I will always be grateful for the clarity and openness of his writing during that time.

In the weeks since I first determined I’d be celebrating Hunter’s 70th with a blog post (or two), I’ve thought a lot about the songs he’s written that have most affected me through the years. So I made a list of 10 favorites (How audacious! How dumb!) that get me every time (not listed—about 50 others that I love as much in other ways!) Here they are, in no particular order:

“Terrapin Station,” “Comes a Time,” “Uncle John’ Band,” “Mission in the Rain” “The Wheel,” “Ripple,” “Attics of My Life,” “Crazy Fingers,” “Stella Blue,” “Standing on the Moon.”

Yikes, I’m already having regrets about omissions! "Box of Rain," damn it! But without question, each of those holds a special place in my heart and my personal cosmos.

I also came up with this list of five I think may be underrated by most Dead Heads: “What’s Become of the Baby” (at least the lyrics!), “High Time,” “Valerie,” “Rubin and Cherise,” “Lazy River Road.”

Stop me before I list again!

Now I’d love to hear what you have to say about Hunter’s lyrics. Which songs speak to you most? Any cool experiences with the lyrics you’d like to relay— “that time I was in Nepal and I heard ‘Eyes of the World’ coming out of mud hut in this tiny village…”?

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My father’s generation had real war stories to tell. Even though my dad never saw combat during World War II, he still served in the Navy on a supply ship in the Pacific, met all sorts of colorful characters from all over the U.S., some of whom became friends for life, and traveled to the Orient and Hawaii — not bad for a kid from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Garcia used to talk about how Dead Heads had their own version of “war stories” — grand tales of derring-do, close shaves, epic mishaps, and incredible feats of stupidity out on the road following the Grateful Dead.

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My wife and I were at this show, It was Feb,5 1980 I know this because we have the original concert poster.I remember being there and it being a fun and intense evening but that's about all we can remember.Man,I wish I could get my hands on a copy of that show!! Oh well thanks anyway Robert for the good time.
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During a trip to Spain in 1974, after 28 hours on the Spanish Railway, walking off the train in Barcelona Station and suddenly hearing "Friend of the Devil" on Spanish National Radio being played overhead in the station plaza.. at the time Spanish National Radio rarely played American music, and what were the odds that the moment my pal and I got off this VERY delayed train (it's true - The Trains In Spain Stay Mainly In The Station..), we would immediately hear American music, and the Dead, no less.. "And here I sit so patiently, waiting to find what price, you have to pay to get out of going through all of these things twice.." Bob Dylan, 1966, "Stuck Inside of Mobile with Those Memphis Blues Again"
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Once I stood at the stage in, I believe it was '96 at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago, and we were waiting for the encore. I imagined Robert leaning over and saying to me, "You there, What would you like to hear? And I said, " Ripple." and as if I had said it out loud, those beautiful chords began.In 1994, I sat, with my beloved, and my midwife and my friends all around, and as we waited for the urge to push, we sang, a cappella, again, "Ripple" and brought my Skye into this world. Thank You Mr Hunter for sharing your vision and your talent and your heart with us. My life has been enriched by you.
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For me, it was this little place in Memphis called the New Daisy Theatre, I can't remember how may years ago. Robert hung around with us after he was done playing, making certain to shake every hand that wanted shook. It's special to me because he autographed my new Crusader Rabbit Stealth Band hat. Happy Birthday, Hunter, you're the best.
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Coming here is like coming home after being away for far too long and finding out that the vibe is just as sweet as I remembered.I walked down the aisle on my Dad's arm in 1977 to Ripple as played by two of my dear friends on guitar and mandolin. My favorite cat was named Ripple, and if anyone asked if she was named for the "wine", I'd say, "what wine?". Many guessed right away which always lead to a discussion of what concerts we'd seen. Thanks for taking me back, Blair! Happy Birthday Robert!
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One of my favorite Hunter songs is "Rum Runners" from his first solo album. Also "Mountains of the Moon"... but I've always been partial to Aoxomoxoa. Jay
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"Dupree's Diamond Blues" and "Stagger Lee"! Two brilliant evolutions of classic American story-songs. Love the detail, the rich and vivid character portrayals...
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We could have us a high(keep) livin' the good life well I know....
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DoDa Man ;^ ) Without love in the dream it'll never come true ================================= Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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"Dust off those rusty strings just one more timeGonna make 'em shine!" "When I had no wings to fly You flew to me" "Gone are the days when the ox fall down" ... Etc. "Little Ben clock says quarter to eight...." "Never had such a good time In my life before I'd like to have it one time more One good ride from start to end I'd like to take that ride again Again! Run out of track and I caught the plane Back in the county with the blues again Great Northern Special been on my mind Might like to ride it just one more time" "Things went down we don't understand but I think in time we will" Etc. "I'm Uncle Sam That's who I am Been hidin' out In a rock and roll band"
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Yes, surely "Friend of the Devil" was one of Hunter's most beloved songs. Made extra special for me having grown up in Reno and having gone to school in beautiful Utah! How cool that someone here actually saw that Kutztown "Eagle Mall"! So lucky! Just imagine- apparently that one was written in 1968-69 for the Dead. The mind reels! "I mean, who do you think is gonna believe it when you tell'em you got the keys to the rain?
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Hunter’s lyrics are simply incredible (sic). There’s a range of feeling that just has to poke around while the battle rages below, that offers a window into the ocean of love for anyone who cares to pay attention, and which is just about the best aphrodisiac there is except wine. I mean, how often have you asked a girl to just listen to what Jerry is singing? Hunter just knows what’s going on, and I thank him for it.
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in no particular order... 1. days between (even now whenever i see the boys, it's the song i wish for. i think it's the finest words hunter ever put to paper...that i know of!) 2. terrapin station 3. althea 4. sugaree 5. ripple 6. rubin and cherise 7. if i had the world to give 8. dupree's 9. to lay me down 10. ??? (to be determined!) thanks robert. happy birthday. another great thought provoking blog, blair! thanks.
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It's all been said before in many different ways, but thank you, Mr. Hunter, for the amazing lyrics you have written that have touched and informed me on a daily basis for 30 years this year!!(nearly 2/3 of my life). You are the poet's poet. I wish you all the best and many an inspired and incredible lyric to come! - John Phillips - And thank you for coming to Atlanta a few years ago w/ The Dead for a most memorable and special performance in a light rain. Come back again!
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Thank you for inspiration and joy - all in the name of living well – these songs especially bring me to my feet and have me close my eyes just to drink in the lyrics every time I hear them live or otherwise "St Stephen" – ladyfinger dipped in moonlight…one man gathers…. "China Cat" – (smile) "Eyes of the World" - Right outside the lazy gates of winter’s summer home (love that Twain-ism) The heart has its beaches its homeland and thoughts of its own…. "Scarlet Begonias" – once in while you get shown the light in the stragest of places... "Uncle John’s Band" – Well, the first days are the hardest days --- "Crazy Fingers" – all the words in this one "The Wheel" – you can't let go and you can't hold on Enjoy All~! Larkspur, CA
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Better late than never, I suppose. First of all; Happy Birthday Robert! I hope you are having the time of your life in all of your pursuits and are enjoying good health. As far as what your lyrics mean to me... I've told you face to face that I consider your songs to be my religion. I can't separate any of my experiences in that regard from one another any more than I can tell you which of my children I love most. I treasure all of my memories seeing and meeting you and hope for the day we meet again, wherever and whenever that may be. All that said... the time I saw you play Gaston Hall in Georgetown (11 -14 -1980; my girlfriend bought me the ticket for my birthday ironically) changed my life. Whenever I listen to any version of "Reuben and Cherise", I'm back in that pew watching you in awe, in a time and place where I'm young again and all the world is still in front of me and there is no pain or fear... just an all encompassing love. I'm not sure what you've been paid for how you've made a living but I can only hope that accounts for something, at the very least. It sure made my world worth being part of... Thank you! (and thanks to Blair & dead.net for the blog)
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Here's another 10 for you, Blair, in no particular order: Bird Song, Friend Of The Devil, Cassidy, Wharf Rat, Truckin', Attics of My Life, Doin' That Rag, St. Stephen, China Doll , and Eyes Of The World . It just makes your point, this guy is the voice of the band; all of his tunes verbally defined the ethos of the Grateful Dead and in doing so created the vocabulary for our mutually shared experience. So here's to you Bob, the most important member of the Grateful Dead to never step onstage. May your seventieth year be your happiest year and may each day feel as light and warm as the morning sun and as long and cool as the evening breeze. ....all the years combine....
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Happy B-Day Mr. Hunter! One of my fondest memories was paying the usher at Town Hall 4 bucks to let me and my buddy in to see the added second show of a Bromberg/Hunter double bill. A promise of not getting in anyone's way sealed the deal and we were able to feast on some more grooves well into the midnight hour. Thanks for the great writing w/ Jim Lauderdale - perhaps a little touring together? Peace, Love and Grooviness, Rich
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We are blessed to be around when Bob and the Boys were sending good sounds into the universe and into the deep heart where the spirit,body and the ineffable connect. Impossible to parse into lists but we all will try. We are a listmaking tribe. I'm fond of It MUST have been the Roses. Don't know why. Stopped asking a looooong time ago. One pane of glass in the window No one is complaining though, come in and shut the door Faded is the crimson from the ribbons that she wore and it's strange how no one comes round anymore. Also FOTD Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night First one's named sweet Anne Marie and she's my heart's delight Second one is prison, baby the sheriff's on my trail If he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail There was a sweet Ann Marie from San Mateo with a baby blue 1956 Buick convertible and she was my hearts delight- lived at Kesey's house in LaHonda. And the sheriiff Was on my trail. Bear xiv
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Paisley mentioned Cassidy. Lyrically that is every bit on par with a Hunter song, but was actually written by John Perry Barlow. One night I had a vivid dream of the Dead playing Cassidy. The next morning I awoke to the news of the ValuJet Flight 592 crash in the Everglades on 5/11/96. The lyrics seemed uncanny. "Quick beats in an icy heart. Catch-colt draws a coffin cart. There he goes now, here she starts: Hear her cry. Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words Wheel to the storm and fly. Faring thee well now. Let your life proceed by its own design. Nothing to tell now. Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine." JPB wrote a wonderful essay on the history of this song. You can read it at: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_lyrics_to_the_Grat…
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Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul Every time. Even when I'm the one singing it...it there's a single line that "defines" the Grateful Dead experience for me, this is the one.
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6/9/90 Cassidy: I traveled to another realm. Gave one of kids Cassidy as a middle name because of this. Not Hunter lyrics, but an incredible simulation. Child of countless trees, child of boundless seas What you are, and what you're meant to be Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words Wheel to the storm and fly
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Yes, I also have Robert Hunter's words interwoven into my life.Sang Uncle John's Band to rock my daughter to sleep 20 years ago. Saw Hunter the first time at Harry Hopes in Cary Illinois maybe late 70s. I recently filled in for our vacationing Minister and used "Attics of My Life" and "The Wheel" during the service. Thank you Robert Happy Birthday and many more.
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It's always amazed me that Robert's lyrics reflect 70 years of life's experiences, and he was writing these words while in his 20's. I can't list my favorites; there are so many. The man's gift for words is truly unmatched. I work as an RN at a nursing home. When an elderly or hospice patient is close to their transition, I always hold their hand and whisper to them "May the four winds blow you safely home." It comforts me as much as it does them. Robert's lyrics cover all the emotions of life. Thank you so much for the enlightenment. And happy birthday!
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Best part of Hunter's lyrics are the way they seemed so familiar the first time I heard them. As if this was the way to listen to the world, seeing through the music. Happy Birthday, and hope to see you (again) soon. Viejo
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I am an unashamed Robert Hunter junky. I've seen him dozens of times since the mid-70's EVERY time he came east - the Other End (or Bitter End), the Stanhope House, the Fast Lane, the Bottom Line, Town Hall, the Community Theatre, the Beacon Theatre, the Capitol Theatre, the Lone Star Cafe, the Keswick Theatre, you get the picture. I was that guy always asking for "Cruel White Water" at the shows. He even admonished me at a show at the Other End saying "I'm Robert Hunter and I don't do requests". I've taken my kids to a few shows. For the last few years I've had to clamor for any Scrap of Hunter I could find - Jim Lauderdale's albums, Mickey's last album, Dylan's Together Through Life - since I've acquired everything he's released (albums, books, etc.). My prized possession is a signed Promontory Rider picture disc. I look forward to any collaborative release. Top 10? Boys In The Barroom, Days Between, Reuben & Cerise, The Wheel, Keys To The Rain, Cruel White Water, Terrapin Station (complete version fron Jack O' Roses), Amagamalin Street, Fire On The Mountain, Promontory Rider, shit....I ran out. Next 5? Wharf Rat, Comes A Time, It Must Have Been The Roses, Tiger Rose, Over the Hills Now my plea - "Say, Mr. Matches, that's a pretty nice tune, I wonder if you'd play that tune again" - Please, Mr. Hunter, embark on one more (last) tour for one more (last) fix. I know from your joural writings, long since abandoned :- ( that health has been a major consideration in you not venturing out on the road. And you've obvoiusly been keeping very active writing (where's Doppelganger?), but please, please, please give it one more go. I'll certainly be there, asking for one more "Cruel White Water".
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I came late, real late, to the whole wide, wild, remarkable world of the Grateful Dead. The lyric that utterly charmed me first was, “If I knew the way, I would take you home.” Damn, I thought, that’s about the sweetest sentiment I think I’ve ever heard sung. Now that I know all of the lyrics, as I sit here and type next to about a dozen books on all things Dead -- by Blair (two), Lesh, Brightman, Editors of Rolling Stone, McNally, Gans, Reich/Wenner, Dodd/Spaulding, among others (even Scully) -- I keep coming back to: Midnight on a carousel ride Reaching for the gold ring down inside Never could reach It just slips away but I try Thanks, Robert. A lot.
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My first show was 12/31/80. It's not that I'd never heard of the band; I'd owned the first album since my college days and "Sugaree" had grabbed me by the DNA from the first note when it was a single, but life happened. So there I was taking in the whole scene and being fairly agog, but the CLICK, like you say, was Jerry's voice floating above the crowd (which was surging and singing along lustily) "If I knew the way I would take you home." Something's going on here, says I. Haven't been the same since.
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1. Definitely Sugaree is up there with all time favorites. I absolutely love the line: "Well shake it up now Sugaree, I'll meet you at the jubilee And if that jubilee don't come maybe I'll meet you on the run" 2. To Lay Me Down: "To tell sweet lies, one last time and say good night" 3. It Must Have Been the Roses: "I don't know, it must have been the roses, The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair. I don't know, maybe it was the roses, All I know I could not leave her there.
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Where I grew up, nobody I knew ever uttered the name Grateful Dead, much less had an album to share. Hippies were anathema. Let me put it to you this way, the Dead played one event in my town, on February 6, 1979, when I would’ve been about 17. There is no tape of this show; it does not exist in the vault. (I have since acquired a poster evidencing, apparently, the occurrence; it’s not dated, but tickets were $8.00.) I assume the co-eds from Oral Roberts University did not spike attendance at the fairgrounds Pavilion. Blessed be me, having a Deadhead California cousin who insisted that I meet him for my first show, in Las Vegas, 1991; by then I’d left Tulsa and moved to Reno. No kidding. Them twenty hounds don’t so much trail me now as live right here under the roof. Metaphorically, of course. Sort of. At any rate, I was home there -- and at the next twenty-five or so shows I got to between then and then.
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16 years 1 month
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however, "Please don't dominate the rap, Jack, if you've got nothing new to say" has always held a special place in my heart. Speaking of which, "I will not forgive you, if you will not take the chance" has frequently provided a needed push at critical moments. Happy Birthday Mr. Hunter and thank you.
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14 years 11 months
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I think it was '92 when Jerry was very sick and our hugely anticipated Country Faire Trip highlighted by the Grateful Dead had to be cancelled. Hunter stepped in to soothe us in several venues around Eugene, with Anne Waldman and Kesey and others. Thanks Robert for this and for all the poetry through four decades going on five. You have added meaning to my life."You who choose to lead must follow ... if I knew the way I would take you home" I always think is so potent for politicians especially, and maybe churchmen?
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13 years 3 months
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23 has always been my #.. my beatiful blue light son named luca blue was born on june 23 also . what a small universe
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13 years 3 months
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luca blue turned 2 yesterday happy super birthday to both u guys--- one love JAH BLESS FOREVER AND EVER
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12 years 8 months
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Hey Robert C.,Just 30 more to go. Enjoy every minute. You went out and found the song even after the singer was gone. Jerry smiles still. Hope to see you again someday, somewhere. Bring your big white guitar, we'll have some fun again. Thank you for the key to your room, Boise 2004, Hartford 11/22/2002, that night long ago in the Albany Egg, and all the wonderful words from nine mile skid on a ten mile ride to goes to show you don't ever know. All we ever wanted was to learn and love and grow. Sometimes it seems like all this life was just a dream.
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15 years 5 months
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I hired a gospel singer to do Attics of My Life at my wedding. My wife, who was not a Deadhead (although the loved them, particularly Jerry, the two times she would see them) and didn't completely understand why it was so important to me but was thrilled when she heard it in Riverside Church's chapel. She passed away, too young at age 43. I am so glad that I made the call and that the young singer, who worked occasionally at the Cotton Club, did it so well. I remain thrilled when I hear it on the radio Furthur do the song, especially as beautifully as they did it at Radio City, It's a stunning, beautiful song that works equally well and memorable in life (wedding) and in memoriam, and it belongs with the best of American lyrics. Bravo, Robert Hunter, and thank you.
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15 years 5 months
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I hired a gospel singer to do Attics of My Life at my wedding. My wife, who was not a Deadhead (although the loved them, particularly Jerry, the two times she would see them) and didn't completely understand why it was so important to me but was thrilled when she heard it in Riverside Church's chapel. She passed away, too young at age 43. I am so glad that I made the call and that the young singer, who worked occasionally at the Cotton Club, did it so well. I remain thrilled when I hear it on the radio Furthur do the song, especially as beautifully as they did it at Radio City, It's a stunning, beautiful song that works equally well and memorable in life (wedding) and in memoriam, and it belongs with the best of American lyrics. Bravo, Robert Hunter, and thank you.
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16 years 9 months
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Have to agree with you Blair, this is one song that never got it's due, (until last year at Calveras), so I think it is appropriate to post the lyrics even tho anyone can look them up What's Become Of The Baby by Robert Hunter from Aomoxomoa Waves of violet go crashing and laughing Rainbow winged singing birds fly round the sun Sunbells rain down in a liquid profusion Mermaids on porpoises draw up the dawn What's become of the baby This cold December morning Songbirds frozen in their flight Drifting to the earth Remnants of forgotten dreaming Calling; answer comes there none Go to sleep you child Dream of never ending always Panes of crystal Eyes sparkle like waterfalls Lighting the polished ice caverns of Khan But where in the looking-glass fields of illusion Wandered the child who was perfect as dawn What's become of the baby This cold December morning What's become of the baby This cold December morning Racing, rhythms of the sun All the world revolves Captured in the eye of Odin Allah, pray where are you now All Mohammed's men blinded by the sparkling waters Sheherezade gathering stories to tell From primal gold fantasy petals that fall But where is the child Who played with the sun chimes And chased the cloud sheep To the regions of rhyme Stranded Stranded cries the south wind Lost in the regions of lead Shackled by chains of illusion Delusions of living and dead The Sky Was Yellow And The Sun Was Blue People Stopping Strangers Just To Shake Their Hand.
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15 years 5 months
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Firstly, thanks Blair for this blog, I got to say it's the first thing I come to now on this site and it's always great to get your insites on all things dead.What can you say, Robert Hunter is the Shakespere of the 20th Century. What a great lyricists, songwriter, master of the english language and an all around good guy. There are too many songs and lyrics that he has written that make all things clear to me, he is a genius. Deadnet central and his journal was awesome, I would sit and read it for hours, regret that he no longer gives us his daily dose of stories and words to live by. I'm sure i was just another face when we met in 03 at the Dylan/Dead show in Tampa, you came out after your set and stood next to us during Dylan's few songs with the dead (Friend of the Devil was great), you had on that leather tour jacket with the embroidery. Then, as quick as you appeared, you departed backstage. That was a great set you played that night and I felt very fortunate to have attended that show. One man gathers what another man spills without love in the dream it will never come true living on reds, vitamin C and Cocaine what a long strange trip it's been All words that we all live by. Thanks Robert, live long and many happy returns.
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16 years 6 months
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Help and Franklins are pretty nice tunes!
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12 years 9 months
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Right now, at this moment..my Hunter faves are 'Cruel White Water'..'Touch of Darkness'..'Slack String Quartet'..'Keys to the Rain'..'Promontory Rider'...... Myself I'm a very fortunite DeadHead Cat..to have been baptised (so to speak) in getting to hear Solo Hunter playing shows around 1982-84. All in the NYC/Long Island area, where I grew up. Age-wise I was'nt even 17 yet when I first heard Acoustic Robert Hunter play 2 nights of a 3 night gig at the Other End in Greenwich Village NY..I think June(!) of '82. With a little dash of the 'lectric KoolAid in blotter form on the first night..Hunter was just mesmerizing. When he plays you can be rapt with attention; or at least, you should. Vivid, colorful lyrics. At the Other End, he was very much the Troubadour; very confident & with an Aire of 'Oh are you folks gonna get it!' He more threw the songs at 'cha rather than try to draw you in (if that makes any sense?). Not with any attitude; it was just like 'Yep. You folks are checking out the guy who penned them all'. This kindof describes..yet misses describing what Bob is/was like. Just very deep-in-the-wood Grateful Dead. I think this kindof describes Hunter: he has a touch of Neil Cassidy about him. A 'lets get this party started..even tho the odds are 10-1! 10-1?? yawn..!' You know what I mean? But enough defining. ..... Just distinctive songs. Maybe with a kindof ethos of 'Does Art Imitate Life? No..Art Imitates No One/Nothing' ( yea, I know I'm probably sounding a bit pretentious..But I'm sorry I can't help it! hehe ....I'll wrap up. And Hunter..he has matured. By this I mean the 'very' good album 'Together Thru Life' by Bob Dylan. Perhaps you can say this is Hunter at his..I don't know his minimalist? But its a good record. Imagery may not exactly be bloomin like a red rose..but it fits. Its a record to be proud of. ....and thats..my riffin' about Robert H. Happy Birthday Bob! 'N there ain't nothin' wrong with the way she moves! 'ol Scarlet Begonias & a touchOfTheBlues! ' hehe : ))
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12 years 9 months
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Hi all. Just want to say thanks etc. to all the posters above; when I first saw the link for the R Hunter Birthday announcement..& all the ruminations of his songs and moments and how they make us feel...I just dove right in & left my comment. 'Then' I started to read the post. But anyway..yea real good stuff. But what I wanted to say (really wanted to say)...One song I hav'nt seen mentioned here is... 'Crazy Fingers' ! : ) At least so far in what I've read with the 'Heads comments above. 'gotta confess I've only gotten 1/2 way thru (there are so many! ) But yea Crazy Fingers. To me, aside from the lyrics of the song...I just love the chord changes. I guess this is more a homage to Jerry rather than Robert..but at least you could say that Jerry responded in kind with something with finesse (I know..this sounds like an insult possibly..but CF really is a Jem. Excellent song to hear live). Other songs I love (or really dig) the chord changes to: High Time, China Doll..and of course Stella Blue.
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12 years 8 months
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Admin issues had prevented me form commenting before, but the memories and reflections of ALL the great lyrics from the Hunter oeuvre cited in these posts moved me enough to get the login sorted out after all these years... (another testament to the power of Hunter's lyrics...) So many great songs have been quoted, from Brokedown to Touch of Darkness, so I would just add, in my Belated Birthday greeting, two of the many reminiscences I have from seeing Robert Hunter perform over the years... The first takes me back to the Summer of '83, an outdoor JGB show at Caldwell College in Caldwell, NJ. A beautiful day, and Hunter warmed up, and proceeded to play Roseanne (the whole first side of Amagamalin Street) in its entirety... this was some 20 plus minutes of poetry, or part of a novel in verse. At the end of his set, he gave such a warm and heartfelt introduction to Jerry and I will always remember it. <> A second memory comes from March 2003 at the Town Hall theatre, NYC. This was literally on the eve of the Iraq war, and he knew it and we in the audience knew it (at least some of us). It was a sparsely attended but brilliant show, masterpiece after masterpiece flying off the stage, together with a lotta love going back and forth. Standing on the Moon, the opener was dripping with emotion and meaning given the context... the same with the New Speedway Boogie, presaging the darkeness (that gotta give). And Stephen, and the Eleven, and the China Cat etc. etc. etc. I continue to marvel that RH was in NYC that night, and that he was living in the moment with us... it made the next days weeks and months of that era that much more tolerable. So thanks for all of that Robert Hunter, and for so much more you that you have shared through those magical songs. We are still listening!
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13 years 4 months
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Had Hunter written the lyrics for Orpheus, the the weeping Hades would have granted unconditional surrender of his soul, Orpheus would not have lost faith in his self and Eurydice and he would have walked the world of mortals together again.
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There is absolutely no doubt about the brilliance of the main Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Even more outstanding was the karmic connection with Jerry Garcia that produced the thing we love. I'm ever so Grateful I'll even forgive the interview where he strongly intimated Jerry was lazy about writing music for the lyrics he brought him. I thought the Dead (Jerry) would have done well to create tunes for even more of his work, an example being Promontory Rider. I enjoyed the only performance I ever saw by him at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, but it was at that show I also saw the darker side of him -- ranting drunken insults (undeserved) at the crowd. If he just took Jerry's example in later years and just played without talking he would have been even more enjoyable. But we all have our own foibles and in most countries it is proper to fete those elders who make it to 70, 75, or even 82. So Happy Birthday Robert Hunter! ~ Promontory rider Territory Ranger ~