Jerry Garcia
Terrapin Station (Live at Madison Square Garden, NYC, September 12, 1991)
[Lady with a Fan]
[Verse 1]
Let my inspiration flow
In token rhyme suggesting rhythm
That will not forsake me
'Til my tale is told and done
While the firelight's aglow
Strange shadows from the flames will grow
'Til things we've never seen
Will seem familiar
Shadows of a sailor forming
Winds both foul and fair all swarm
Down in Carlisle, he loved a lady
Many years ago
Here beside him stands a man
A soldier from the looks of him
Who came through many fights
But lost at love
While the storyteller speaks
A door within the fire creaks
Suddenly flies open
And a girl is standing there
Eyes alight with glowing hair
All that fancy paints as fair
She takes her fan and throws it
In the lion's den
"Which of you to gain me, tell
Will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you
If you will not take the chance"
The sailor gave at least a try
The soldier being much too wise
Strategy was his strength
Not disaster
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 2]
The sailor coming out again
The lady fairly leapt at him
That's how it stands today
You decide if he was wise
The storyteller makes no choice
Soon you will not hear his voice
His job is to shed light
Not to master
[Instrumental Break]
[Outro]
Since the end is never told
We pay the teller off in gold
In hopes he will come back
But he cannot be bought or sold
[Terrapin Station]
[Verse]
Inspiration move me brightly
Light the song with sense and color
Hold away despair
More than this I will not ask
Faced with mysteries dark and vast
Statements just seem vain at last
Some rise, some fall, some climb
To get to Terrapin
Counting stars by candlelight
All are dim but one was bright:
The spiral light of Venus
Rising first and shining best
Oh, from the northwest corner
Of a brand new crescent moon
Crickets and cicadas sing
A rare and different tune
[Outro]
Terrapin Station
In the shadow of the moon
Terrapin Station
And I know we'll be there soon
Terrapin - I can't figure out
Terrapin - If it's the end or beginning
Terrapin - But the train's put its brakes on
Terrapin - And the whistle is screaming: Terrapin
[Instrumental Outro]