Terrapin Station Medley - Grateful Dead

Let my inspiration flow

In token rhyme suggesting rhythm

That will not forsake me

Till my tale is told and done

While the firelight’s 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 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 leapt 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

(Oh)

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 the end or beginning

Terrapin — but the train’s put it’s brakes on

And the whistle is screaming: Terrapin

At a Siding

While you were gone

These faces filled with darkness

The obvious was hidden

With nothing to believe in

The compass always points to Terrapin

Sullen wings of fortune beat like rain

You’re back in Terrapin for good or ill again

For good or ill again