Tribute: Lyricist Robert Hunter

#250: Leonardo Words
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As I recently wrote on Twitter, the difference between two random people working on a project, and two collaborators meant for each other, is 9+9, as opposed to 9x9.  With the passing of lyricist Robert Hunter, who wrote the words to a good many Grateful Dead songs, we are reminded of that difference (81 - 18) by the peak synergy that flowed from Hunter's lyrics and Jerry Garcia's music during the late '60s and '70s.

Below, I'll quote what I consider to be Hunter's best, leaving it to the reader to actually listen to the marvel that is Garcia et al.'s adaptive revelation (Note: I've read that in some instances--like our #5--the music came first).  I'll indicate a date on which the first live performance occurred, and also which of the song's verses I'm quoting.  My commentary then appears in green.

In chronological order:

#1 "Dark Star", first performed Dec 13th, '67
(chorus)
Shall we go,
you and I
while we can?
Through
the transitive nightfall
of diamonds
[I imagine two lovers thinking this as they pledge themselves.]

#2  "China Cat Sunflower", first performed Jan 17, '68
(2nd verse)
Krazy Kat peeking through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire
like a diamond-eyed Jack
A leaf of all colors plays
a golden string fiddle
to a double-e waterfall over my back
["...of all..." later becomes "...waterfall...".  Here we have, what?  Flowing hair?]

#3  "St. Stephen", May 24th, '68
(6th verse)
Did he doubt or did he try?
Answers aplenty in the bye and bye
Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills
One man gathers what another man spills
[Quiz: Famously, at one concert, the last line here coincided with what?]

#4  "Black Peter", Dec 4th, '69
(2nd verse)
Just then the wind
came squalling through the door
but who can the weather command?
[Would you close the door?]

#5  "Uncle John's Band", Dec 4th, '69
(first verse)
Well the first days are the hardest days
don't you worry anymore
When life looks like Easy Street
there is danger at your door
Think this through with me
Let me know your mind
Whoa-oh, what I want to know,
is are you kind?
[A fair approximation of a then nascent '60s philosophy.]

#6  "Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream", June 7th, 1970
(near end)
Light out singing
I'll walk you in the morning sunshine
[Singing at night about tomorrow morning.]
[Note: music by Bob Weir]

#7  "Ripple", August 18th, 1970
(chorus)
Ripple in still water
when there is no pebble tossed
nor wind to blow
[Enigmatic, but once solved, the riddle be deep...if God is there.]

#8  "Box of Rain", October 9th, 1972
(penultimate verse)
Just a box of rain
wind and water
believe it if you need it
if you don't just pass it on
[That last line, in the final verse, becomes "or leave it if you dare"]
[Note: music by Phil Lesh.]

#9  "Bertha", Feb 18th, '71
(second verse)
Dressed myself in green
I went down to the sea
Try to see what's going down
Try to read between the lines
Had a feeling I was falling, falling, falling
Turned around to see
Heard a voice a-calling, calling, calling
You was coming after me
Back to me
["went down", "going down", "falling", rather than, ...well, Bertha]

#10  "Wharf Rat", Feb. 18th, 1971
(second verse)
My name is August West
and I love my Pearly Baker best
more than my wine
[even in our blind despair, the way forward beckons] 
[Note: the contrast of triumphal music, with empathy for 'the least among us', is Garcia genius]

#11  "Bird Song", Feb. 18th, 1971
(first verse)
All I know is something like a bird
within her sang
All I know, she sang a little while
and then flew on
(beginning, second verse)
If you hear that same sweet song again
will you know why?
[The key to a wise choice: the happiness of knowing why]

#12  "Brown-eyed Women", August 23rd, 1971
(last verse)
Daddy made whiskey and he made it well
Cost two dollars and it burned like hell
I cut hick'ry just to fire the still
Drink down a bottle and you're ready to kill
[The hardscrabble life of a hundred years ago, axing timber and animals.]

#13  "Tennessee Jed", October 19th, 1971
(last verse)
I woke up a-feeling mean
Went down to play the slot machine
The wheels turned 'round and the letters read:
Better head back to Tennessee, Jed
[An old-timey, extraordinary vision]

#14  "Jack Straw", October 19th, 1971
(fifth verse)
We used to play for silver
Now we play for life
One's for sport and one's for blood
At the point of a knife
Now the die is shaken
Now the die must fall
There ain't a winner in this game
Who don't go home with all
Not with all....
[Alternating voices sing, first of immorality, then condemnation, then our quote]
[Note: music by Bob Weir.]

#15  "Ramble On Rose", October 19th, 1971
(second half, first verse)
Just like New York City
Just like Jericho
Pace the halls and climb the walls
Get out when they blow
[Hard to beat Garcia's exciting music here; excellent poetic path, as well.]

#16  "Mississippi Half-step Uptown Toodleloo", July 16th, '72
(chorus)
Halfstep
Mississippi Uptown Toodleloo
Hello baby I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of rock and rye
Farewell to you old Southern sky
I'm on my way--on my way
[Upriver, where the paddle wheeler stopped.]

#17  "Eyes Of The World", February 9th, 1973
(first verse)
Right outside this lazy summer home
you don't have time to call
your soul a critic, no
[The band's music, fully mature.]

#18  "U.S. Blues", Feb. 22nd, 1974
(second verse)
I'm Uncle Sam / that's who I am
Been hiding out / in a rock-and-roll band
Shake the hand that shook the hand
Of P.T. Barnum / and Charlie Chan
[Big-hearted, inclusive.]

#19  "Scarlet Begonias", March 23rd, 1974
(fourth verse)
Once in a while
you get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right
[Once, that is, like at a GD concert, when you're playing, like everyone else, in the "Heart of Gold Band"]

#20  "Fire On The Mountain", March 18th, 1977
(second verse)
If mercy's in business I wish it for you
More than just ashes when your dreams come true
[Warning: throw away your matches.]
[Note: music by Mickey Hart.]

#21  "Althea", August 4th, 1979
(first verse)
I told Althea I was feeling lost
Lacking in some direction
Althea told me upon scrutiny
my back might need protection
[Early precursor of the 'I've got your back' concept, except back-to-back?]

#22 "Alabama Getaway", November 4th, 1979
(2nd verse)
Reason the poor girls love him
Promise them everything
Why they all believe him?
He wears a big diamond ring
[Succinct.]

#23  "Standing On The Moon", February 5th, 1989
(last verse)
Standing on the moon
Where talk is cheap and vision true
Standing on the moon
But I'd rather be with you
Somewhere in San Francisco
On a back porch in July
Just looking up at heaven
At this crescent in the sky
In the sky
[High flying spaceman's regret.]

Encore, #24  "He's Gone", April 17, 1972
(first verse)
Rat in a drain ditch
Caught on a limb
You know better but
I know him
[The alternative meaning that is simply wrong (first line).  Also, 3rd and 4th lines nail the wrong-headed ugliness of celebrity.]

Second Encore, #25  "Here Comes Sunshine", Feb. 9th, 1973
(Second part, second verse)
Good to know
you got shoes to wear
when you find the floor
Why hold out for more?
[Once one wakes up, why keep on sleeping?]

Third Encore, #26  "Cosmic Charlie", October 19th, 1968
(most of the way through)
Calliope wail like a seaside zoo
The very last lately inquired about you
It's really very one or two
The first you wanted, the last I knew
[Delicious second meaning: "the last I knew".]


And probably Hunter's most famous words:

Lately it occurs to me
What a long strange trip it's been
[Dry humor that suddenly turns otherwise on closer scrutiny.]