Melody Monday

So Many Roads

Soldier Field 7-9-95

Thought I heard a blackbird singin'
up on Bluebird Hill
Call me a whinin' boy if you will
Born where the sun don't shine
and I don't deny my name
Got no place to go, ain't that a shame?

Thought I heard that KC whistle
moanin' sweet & low
Thought I heard that KC when she blow
Down where the sun don't shine
Underneath the Kokomo
Whinin' boy -- got no place else to go

So many roads I tell you
So many roads I know
So many roads --
so many roads --
Mountain high, river wide
So many roads to ride
So many roads
So many roads

Thought I heard a jug band playin'
"If you don't -- who else will?"
from over on the far side of the hill
All I know the sun don't shine
the rain refuse to fall
and you don't seem to hear me when I call

Wind inside & the wind outside
Tangled in the window blind
Tell me why you treat me so unkind
Down where the sun don't shine
Lonely and I call your name
No place left to go, ain't that a shame?

So many roads I tell you
New York to San Francisco
All I want is one
to take me home
From the high road to the low
So many roads I know
So many roads - So many roads

From the land of the midnight sun
where ice blue roses grow
'long those roads of gold and silver snow
Howlin' wide or moanin low
So many roads I know
So many roads to ease my soul...

First performance: Sunday, Februady 22, 1992 at the Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California. "So Many Roads" appeared in the first set, following "Wang Dang Doodle" and preceding "Queen Jane Approximately." The other first in the show was "Wave to the Wind."

This was the last time Jerry sang this song being it was last show the Grateful Dead ever did.  Jerry passed away exactly a month later on August 9th, 1995 at 4:23 am due to a heart attack.  I don't think anyone can put into words the void that rippled the planet on that day.  The void is still felt today.

 

I feel your silent laughter
at sentiments so bold
that dare to step across the line
to tell what must be told,
so I'll just say I love you,
which I never said before
and let it go at that old friend
the rest you may ignore...

~R. Hunter~

JG