Grateful Dead - "Terrapin Station" Terrapin Station (1977)
3,178,763
Published 2013-09-19
Lady With A Fan"
Let my inspiration flow
in token lines suggesting rhythm
that will not forsake me
till my tale is told and done
While the firelight's aglow
strange shadows in 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 by the looks of him
who came through many fights
but lost at love
While the storyteller 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 lept 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
Terrapin Station"
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,
From the northwest 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 an end or the beginning
Terrapin - but the train's got its brakes on
and the whistle is screaming: TERRAPIN
At A Siding"
While you were gone
these spaces filled with darkness
The obvious was hidden
With nothing to believe in
the compass always points to Terrapin
The sullen wings of fortune beat like rain
You're back in Terrapin for good or ill again
For good or ill again
All Comments (21)
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This was the Grateful Dead's 'Dark Side of the Moon'. A work of musical, spiritual, and studio excellence.
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Lol whenever I see a stranger with a dead shirt on or a sticker on their laptop or something I automatically feel like we're friends
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I love how the story teller cannot be bought or sold!
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If I were lying in my deathbed and had one more song to listen to on the way out... it’s Terrapin. There’s really nothing else to say
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My 8-9 year old son used to ask for "the turtle song" we now sing to the whole dead catalogue
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Everyone out there I love you. Love thy neighbor
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Terrapin Station isn't your typical Grateful Dead song. More like Progressive Dead and I love it! I think it's the most powerful piece they ever created. Jerry Garcia on guitar demonstrated just how great he was. He was in full-power mode. This song is the definition of "Masterpiece." R.I.P. Jerry. 💖🌹🙏🏽
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I'm honestly afraid to accidentally hear just the opening 3 seconds of this song, unless ive got 20+ minutes to spare. Always makes me wanna listen to pretty much the whole album. Best song by The Dead, and one of the best songs of all time.
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My dad loved the Grateful Dead. He went to all of their concerts and wrote books about them. Even met them personally. Just as I began to share that love with him, he passed away. This song connects me through him in spirit and I know he would have been proud of me.
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This song is so unreal, like you have no clue what is coming next and it just feels so strange but good.
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In 1980, I was introduced to the Dead. The man chose this song and this album in the hopes that I would understand him better. It gives me chills to listen and reflect back on what was gained. A husband and a child. To me, that is part of the magic of music. This is a masterpiece.
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Jerry himself often said that they were a live band and that their studio albums could never capture the Grateful Dead experience. However the musical tapestry of this is truly crafted by nimble hands an open hearts. I have listened to hundreds of tapes spanning my run from '83-'95 but there are a few studio tracks that I may actually favor, this is at the very top.
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Last summer my then 18 year old son did an internship helping hatchling terrapins get safely to the sea. I told him, you worked at Terrapin Station!!
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Such an overwhelming ethereal vibe to this song, it’s like a classic movie packed in 16 minutes of audio
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Dad: Stop Me: Why? Dad: There's bigger speakers downstairs
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I was dreaming of this song last night, love you dead heads
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40 years ago I bought this record. My life changed that day. I close my eyes and I’m in the front row again. Many moons ago. This music is like a part of my soul.
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First tune I put on when I lost my old man. "Soon you will not hear his voice, his job is to shed light, not to master"
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With regards to the Grateful Dead in the recording studio, this is, without a doubt, as good as it gets... and it won't ever get this good again! A masterpiece, and that's an understatement.
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Terrapin is one of the best songs ever. Im so glad to have been able to see them in person more times than i can count. Im a Neuro surgeon and this plays during most surgeries I peform. It help patient remain calm and helps them through the worst times.
