Lady With A Fan
Lyrics:
Robert Hunter
Music:
Jerry Garcia
Reprinterd with permission from
Ice Nine Publishing - editors see
Greatful Dead lyrics for more info.
This is the first part of Robert Hunter's
Terrapin Station Suite.
In songlists, "Lady With A Fan" is often lumped together with "Terrapin Station" rather than shown separately.
The Dead at least once (on 13 April 1986) played "Lady With A Fan" without going on into "Terrapin Station"
First performance: February 26, 1977, at the
Swing Auditorium in
San Bernardino,
California.
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Let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm
That will not forsake me, till my tale is told and done
While the fire lights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow
Till 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 story teller 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, and not disaster
The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him
that's where it stands today. You decide if he was wise
The story teller makes no choice, soon you will not hear his voice
His job is to share the light, and not to master
Since the end is never told we paid the teller off in gold
In hopes he will come back, but he cannot be bought or sold
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Grateful Dead Recordings
Terrapin Station (Studio 1977)
Dick's Picks 15 (3 Sep 1977)
So Far (video) (1987)
Ticket To New Year's (video) (31 Dec 1987)
Terrapin Station (Limited Edition) (15 Mar 1990)
Dozin' At The Knick (24 Mar 1990)
View From The Vault (8 Jul 1990)
So Many Roads (1965-1995) (12 Sep 1991)
Other Recordings
Jack O' Roses Robert Hunter studio 1980
Terrapin Joe Gallant & Illuminati 1999
Here Come The Noisemakers Bruce Hornsby 2000
Solo Acoustic David Gans 2000