Grateful Dead
 
Book Of Dead
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D/1 
 Dancing in the Streets  [Stevenson/Gaye/Hunter] 

        Hey, comin' out around the world be ready for a brand new beat 
        Oh, summer's here and the time is right, oh for dancing in the street 
        Dancing in Chicago (dancing in the street) 
        Down in New Orleans (dancing in the street) 
        In New York City (dancing in the street) 

        All we need is music, sweet music (sweet, sweet music) 
        They'll be music everywhere (everywhere) 
        They'll be laughing, singing music swinging and dancing in the street 

        It doesn't matter what you wear just as long as you are there 
        So come on every guy and grab a girl everywhere around the world 
        They're dancing (dancing in the street) oh oh 

        This is an invitation across the nation the chance for folks to meet 
        There'll be swinging, swaying music playing and dancing in the street 

        Philadelphia, PA now (dancing in the street) 
        Baltimore and D.C. (dancing in the street) 
        Can't forget them other cities (dancing in the street) 
 

 Dark Hollow  [Bill Browning] 

 
        I'd rather be in some dark hollow, where the sun don't ever shine, 
        Than to be in some big city, in a small room, with a girl on my mind. 

        [Chorus] 
        So blow your whistle freight train. Take me far on down the track. 
        I'm going away, I'm leaving today 
        Well I'm goin', but I ain't comin' back. 

        [Jam] 

        I'd rather be in some dark hollow where the sun don't ever shine 
        Than to be home alone, knowing that you're gone 
        Would cause me to lose my mind. 

        [Chorus] 
        [Jam] 

        I'd rather be in some dark hollow where the sun don't ever shine 
        Than to see you another man's darling, 
        And to know you'll never be mine 

        [Chorus] 
 
        Well I'm going away, I'm leaving today 
        I'm goin' but I ain't comin' back. 
 

 Dark Star  [The Dead/Hunter] 

        Dark star crashes, pouring its light into ashes. 
        Reason tatters, the forces tear loose from the axis. 
        Searchlight casting for faults in the clouds of delusion. 
        Shall we go, you and I while we can 
        Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds? 

        Mirror shatters in formless reflections of matter. 
        Glass hand dissolving to ice petal flowers revolving. 
        Lady in velvet recedes in the nights of goodbye. 
        Shall we go, you and I while we can 
        Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds? 
 

 Day Job  [Garcia/Hunter] 

        Maybe you collect or maybe you pay (whether) 
        Still got to work that eight hour day 
        Whether you like that job or not 
        You'd better keep it on ice while you're lining up your long shot 

        Which is to say, hey hey, keep yer day job 
        Don't give it away, keep yer day job, whatever they say 
        Keep yer day job 'till your night job pays. 

        Steady boys starting that eight day hour 
        Never underrate that paycheck power 
        By now you know that the face on your dollar 
        Got a thumb on its nose and a hand on your collar 
        With a chance to say, hey hey, keep yer day job. 

        Daddy may drive a V-8 'Vette 
        Mama may bathe in champagne yet 
        God bless the child that's got his own stash 
        Nine to five and a place to crash 
        which is to say... 

        Sunday comes forget about work, 
        Ring that bell for whatever it's worth. 
        If you ask me like I know you won't 
        I'll tell you what to do what I know that you won't. 
 

 Day Tripper  [Lennon/McCartney] 

        Got a good reason for taking the easy way out 
        Got a good reason for taking the easy way out now 
        She was a day tripper, one way ticket yeah 
        It took me so long to find out, and I found out. 

        She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there 
        She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there now 
        She was a day tripper, one way ticket yeah 
        It took me so long to find out, and I found out. 

        Tried to please her, she only played one night stands 
        Tried to please her, she only played one night stands now 
        She was a day tripper, Sunday driver yeah 
        It took me so long to find out, and I found out 
        Say tripper, day tripper yeah. 
 

 Days Between  [Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia] 

        There were days 
        and there were days 
        and there were days between 
        Summer flies and August dies 
        the world grows dark and mean 
        Comes the shimmer of the moon 
        on black infested trees 
        the singing man is at his song 
        the holy on their knees 
        The reckless are out wrecking 
        The timid plead their pleas 
        No one knows much more of this 
        than anyone can see      anyone can see 

        There were days 
        and there were days 
        and there were days besides 
        when phantom ships with phantom sails 
        set to sea on phantom tides 
        Comes the lightning of the sun 
        on bright unfocused eyes 
        the blue of yet another day 
        a springtime wet with sighs 
        a hopeful candle lingers 
        in the land of lullabies 
        where headless horsemen vanish 
        with wild and lonely cries     lonely cries 

        There were days 
        and there were days 
        and there were days I know 
        when all we ever wanted 
        was to learn and love and grow 
        Once we grew into our shoes 
        we told them where to go 
        Walked halfway around the world 
        on promise of the glow 
        Stood upon a mountain top 
        Walked barefoot in the snow 
        Gave the best we had to give 
        How much we'll never know    we'll never know 

        There were days 
        and there were days 
        and there were days between 
        polished like a golden bowl 
        The finest ever seen 
        Hearts of Summer held in trust 
        still tender, young and green 
        left on shelves collecting dust 
        not knowing what they mean 
        Valentines of flesh and blood 
        as soft as velveteen 
        hoping love would not forsake 
        the days that lie between      lie between 
 
 

 Deal  [Garcia/Hunter] 

 
        Since it costs a lot to win,  and even more to lose, 
        You and me bound to spend some time wond'rin' what to choose. 
        Goes to show, you don't ever know, 
        Watch each card you play, and  play it slow, 
        Wait until that deal come round, 
        Don't you let that deal go down, no, no. 

        I been gamblin' hereabouts for ten good solid years. 
        If I told you all that went down it would burn off both of your ears. 
        Goes to show you don't ever know, 
        Watch each card you play and play it slow, 
        Wait until that deal come round, 
        Don't you let that deal go down, no, no. 

        [Jam] 

        Since you poured the wine for me and tightened up my shoes, 
        I hate to leave you sittin' there, composin' lonesome blues. 
        Goes to show you don't ever know, 
        Watch each card you play and play it slow, 
        Wait until that deal come round, 
        Don't you let that deal go down, no, no. 

        Since it costs a lot to win,  and even more to lose, 
        You and me bound to spend some time wond'rin' what to choose. 
        Goes to show, you don't ever know, 
        Watch each card you play, and  play it slow, 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
 

        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
        Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down. 
 

 Dear Mr. Fantasy  [Winwood/Capaldi/Wood] 
 

        Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune, something to make us all happy. 
        Do anything to take us out of this gloom 
        Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy. 

        You are the one who can make us all glad 
        By doin' that you break down in tears. 
        Please don't be sad if it was the straight life you had 
        We wouldn't have known you all these years. 

        [Jam on verse chords] 

        Dear Mr. Fantasy play us a tune, something to keep us all happy. 
        Do anything, keep us out of this gloom 
        Sing a song, play guitar, make it snappy. 

        You are the one who can make us all glad 
        By doin' that you break down in tears. 
        Please don't be sad if it was the straight life you had 
        We wouldn't have known you all these years. 

        [Jam on verse chords] 
 

 Dear Prudence  [Lennon/McCartney] 

        Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? 
        Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day 
        The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you 
        Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? 

        Dear Prudence, open up your eyes. 
        Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies. 
        The wind is low, the birds will sing, that you are part of everything 
        Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes? 
        Look Around, 'Round, 'Round 

        Dear Prudence, let me see you smile. 
        Dear Prudence, like a little child. 
        The clouds will be a daisy chain, so let me see you smile again 
        Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile? 
        Look Around, 'Round,' Round 
 

 Death Don't Have No Mercy  [Rev.G.Davis] 

        Death don't have no mercy in this land 
        Y' know death don't have no mercy in this land, in this land 
        Come to your house, you know he don't take long 
        You look in the bed, you find your mama is gone. 
        Death don't have no mercy in this land. 

        I said death don't take no vacation in this land. 
        Death don't take no vacation in this land, in this land. 
        Come to your house, no he doesn't stay long. 
        Look around the room, you see your father will be gone, 
        Say now death don't, death don't take no vacation in this land. 

        [Jam] 

        Death will leave you standing and crying in this land. 
        I said death will you standing and crying in this land, in this land. 
        He comes into your house and he don't take long. 
        You look all around and you find your mother gone. 
        Death don't have no mercy in this land. 

        Death don't have no mercy in this land. 
        Death don't have no mercy in this land, in this land. 
        Come to your house, you know he don't take long. 
        You wake up one morning and your whole family be gone 
        Oh, death don't have no mercy in this land. 
 

 Deep Elem Blues  [Traditional] 

        When you go down to deep elem put your money in your shoes 

        The women in deep elem got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 

        When you go down to deep elem to have a little fun, 
        Have your ten dollars ready when the police man comes 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 

        Once I knew a preacher, preached the bible thru and thru 
        He went down to deep elem, now his preaching days are thru 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 

        [Jam] 

        Once I had a girlfriend, she meant the world to me 
        She went down to deep elem, now she ain't what she used to be 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 

        When you go down to deep elem put your money in your pants 
        Cause the women in deep elem they don't give a man a chance 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 

        When you go down to deep elem to have a little fun, 
        Have your fifteen dollars ready when the police man comes 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
        Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues 
 

 Desolation Row  [Dylan] 
 

        They're selling postcards of the hanging. 
        They're painting the passports brown. 
        The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town. 
        Here comes the blind commissioner, they've got him in a trance. 
        One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants. 
        And the riot squad they're restless, they need somewhere to go. 
        As Lady and I walk out tonight, from Desolation Row. 

        Cinderella, she seems so easy 
        "It takes one to know one," she smiles. 
        And puts her hands in her back pockets, Bette Davis style. 
        And in comes Romeo, he's moaning, "You Belong to Me I Believe." 
        And someone says, "You're in the wrong place, my friend, 
        You Better leave." 
        And the only sound that you can hear, after the ambulances go, 
        Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row. 

        Now the moon is almost hidden, the stars are beginning to hide. 
        The fortune telling lady, has already taken all her things inside. 
        All except for Cain and Abel, and the hunchback of Notre Dame. 
        Everybody is either making love, or else expecting rain. 
        And the Good Samaritan, he's dressing he's getting ready for the show 
        He's going down to the carnival tonight on Desolation Row. 

        Now Ophelia, she's 'neath the window, for her I feel so afraid. 
        On her twenty-second birthday, she already is an old maid. 
        To her, death is quite romantic, she wears an iron vest. 
        Her profession's her religion, her sin is her lifelessness. 
        And though her gaze is fixed upon, Noah's great rainbow. 
        She spends her time peeking into Desolation Row. 

        Einstein disguised as Robin Hood, with his memories in a trunk, 
        Passed this way an hour ago, with his friend, a jealous monk. 
        He looked so immaculately frightful, as he bummed a cigarette, 
        And he went off sniffing drainpipes, and reciting the alphabet. 
        Now you would not think to look at him, but he was famous long ago, 
        For playing the electric violin on Desolation Row. 

        [Jam] 

        Dr. Filth, he keeps his world, inside of a leather cup. 
        But all his sexless patients, they're all trying to blow it up. 
        And his nurse, some local loser, she's in charge of the cyanide hole. 
        And she also keeps the cards that read, "Have Mercy on His Soul". 
        They all play on the penny whistles, you can hear then blow, 
        If you lean your head out far enough on Desolation Row. 

        Across the street, they've nailed the curtains. 
        They're getting ready for the feast. 
        The Phantom of the Opera, the pefect image of a priest. 
        They're spoon-feeding Cassanova, to get him to feel more assured. 
        Then they'll kill him with self-confidence, 
        After poisoning him with words. 
        And the Phantom's shouting to skinny girls, 
        "Get outta here if you don't know." 
        Cassanova is just being punished for going to Desolation Row. 

        Now at midnight all the agents, and the super-human crew, 
        Come out and round up everyone that knows more than they do. 
        Then they take them to the factory, where the heart-attack machine, 
        Is strapped across their shoulders. And then the kerosene 
        Is brought down from the castles, by insurance men who go, 
        Check to see that nobody's escaping to Desolation Row. 

        [Jam] 

        Praise be to Nero's Neptune, the Titanic sails at dawn. 
        And everybody's shouting, "Which side are you on?" 
        And Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot, fighting in the captain's tower. 
        While calypso singers laugh at them, and fishermen hold flowers. 
        Between the windows of the sea, where lovely mermaids flow. 
        And nobody has to think too much about Desolation Row. 

        Yes I received your letter yesterday, 
        About the time the doorknob broke. 
        When you asked me how I was doing, was that some kind of joke? 
        All these people that you mention, yes I know them they're quite lame 
        I had to rearrange their faces, and give them all another name. 
        Right now, I can't read too good, don't send no more letters no. 
        Not unless you mail them from Desolation Row. 

        [Jam] 
 

 
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Volume D - Number 1

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