Jack O' Roses

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia

This is the seventh song in Robert Hunter's Terrapin Station Suite. It was never played by the Grateful Dead, though Hunter credits the music to Jerry Garcia (note 1). Hunter himself recorded it on his LP "Jack O' Roses" (never issued as a CD).

What makes your sweet breast heave, my dear
your bright eyes fill with tears?
Did Jack O' Roses leave you here
those seven lonely years?

Had you fear he might be dead
unwept in some far land?
Or worse that love itself had fled
betrayed both heart and hand?

Jack O' Roses with a fan
East of Eden turned
built his castles in the sand
and all their bridges burned

Wait for him
Don't take no other
no demon lover
who'll be gone at dawn
Did you throw your fan
too far this time?
Well, well, well ...
from the lion's den
to the morning star
to the gates of Hell!

The morning star rose into hell
three days to shine on Moses
and from his solitary cell
to free the Jack O' Roses

He sprang to saddle like wind, I allow (note 2)
for bridle strains of lightning
Ride, ride, ride, though tempest howl
cruelly and most frightening

For at the dawn fair Terrapin
arose like revelation
The morning star reflected in
the windows of Terrapin Station

Terrapin
If anyone should ask of you who made this song
say the Jack O' Roses and all who played along
who rise, climb, fall to win
Terrapin

What have we to lose from love
except what lacks foundation
Words can only carve the space
we fill with expectation

The lion's den lies far behind
in visions of the damned
Jack O' Roses one more time
My lady, here's your fan

Terrapin
let me rise, let me fall, let me climb, let me crawl
but let me in
Accept this fan as a token of what I meant to do
for I really do love you