 TERRAPIN STATION
Lyrics by Robert Hunter
Music by Jerry Garcia
Let my inspiration flow
In total 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 do grow
'Til things we've never seen
Become familiar.
Shadows of a sailor form,
As 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 in love.
As the storyteller speaks,
A door within the fire creaks,
Suddenly it 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,
And not disaster.
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,
And not to master.
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.
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 is bright
The spiral light of Venus
Rising first and shining best
Oh, from the north-west corner
Of a brand-new crescent moon
Crickets and cicadas sing
A rare and different tune:
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 it brakes on
(Terrapin)
And the whistle is screaming:
Terrapin!
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