Jack O' Roses

Jack O' Roses Lyrics: Robert Hunter Music: Jerry Garcia, [Brian Lesh] 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? (note 2) Jack O' Roses with a fan East of Eden turned built his castles in the sand and all their bridges burned (note 3) Wait for him (note 4) 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 5) for bridle strains of lightning Ride, ride, ride, though tempest howl cruelly and most frightening (note 6) For at the dawn fair Terrapin arose like revelation The morning star reflected in the windows of Terrapin Station Terrapin (note 7) 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 (note 8) in visions of the damned Jack O' Roses one more time My lady, here's your fan (note 9) 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