![]() Verse form to express this idea, which is contrary to WesternĬivilization's principle of logical, rational thought. Suggests that thought is like a ripple, not caused by anything,Īnd doomed to be fleeting, not to be held. It is set apart formally from the rest of the song, beingĪ seventeen-syllable haiku. The chorus is the main puzzle of the song, as highlighted by the But the poet concludes that even though 'the thoughts are Thoughts will actually occur to the person who is now singing the Since it is questionable whether any of the original poet's Identification between singer and listener can never be total, The next verse continues this theme, but points out that the Mortality, since his thoughts will continue to generate new In this way, the original poet breaks out of So the relationship between poet and reader is unity they areīoth the poet. Opening up a discussion of the relationship between the singerĪnd the listener, who will also, it is hoped, come to be The poet expresses concern that the song be sung by other people, Tune, so that the listener is prepared to think about the song. Hunterīegins the verse by invoking the elements of song: words and ![]() Song, about listening to the song and making it your own. The first verse, addressing the listener, is about Hunter, in choosing the folk lyric format, has infused it with Sense of cosmic oneness, and of East meeting West. Late 1960's, with overtones of that Haight-Ashbury era, such as a A true song is meant to be sung, and so its words mustīe easy to remember, unless it is an experimental or art song.īut Hunter wrote "Ripple" in the folk song tradition during the "Ripple" is a song lyric by Robert Hunter. Hunter has posted the manuscript of an early draft of the song in his archives. If you should stand then who's to guide you? It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Would you hold it near as it were your own? Would you hear my voice come through the music If my words did glow with the gold of sunshineĪnd my tunes were played on the harp unstrung Reproducedīy arrangement with Ice Nine Publishing Co., Inc. ("Ripple" composed and written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. Words by Robert Hunter music by Jerry Garcia. Dowling's "Ripple": A Minor ExcursusĪlso, a sermon, "No Simple Highway," by Elizabeth Greene, is available. The original music video may look a bit old-fashioned, but it’s filled with spiritual symbols, and worth a look.Īll the best for your own quest – and may your cup always be filled with water from a fountain not made by the hands of men.The Annotated "Ripple" "Let there be songs to fill the air" The Annotated "Ripple"Īn installment in The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics.ġ997-98 Research Associate, Music Dept., University of California, Santa Cruz Only faith may help, and the encouragement of the living water you may have been touched by. This includes a clear understanding of your own being, everything you learnt, your thoughts and feelings not being able to walk on this path. In order to be able to perceive the soul’s soft voice, a very subtle state of openness is required. To me, these lines testify to a deep experience of humbleness, knowing you cannot find the path if you remain self-confident. If you should stand then who’s to guide you? The speaker does not claim to know the path – there is no easy recipe. That path is for your steps alone Which Path leads to the Source of Living Water? Tragically, he only finds out when it’s too late … We may be reminded of Franz Kafka‘s Before the Law: The entrance mentioned in that parable is exclusively for the main character, and no one else. No one can rely on anyone else acquiring it for him, or taking the necessary steps on behalf of him. While living water is given for free, it is only handed to those who desire it deeply from their innermost being. The following lines emphasize personal responsibility on the path. A similar idea is found in Peter, Paul and Mary‘s Jesus met the Woman. The fountain of living water nourishes those people who long for its water. Songwriter Hunter said the following lines were the ones he was most proud of: The chorus describes small surface waves in otherwise still water – an image of the inherent energy of immaterial living water? It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken It can touch human souls directly, without needing the detour of passing through the ears. If everything transitory is but an image ( Goethe), then music from visible instruments can be an image for music from a higher realm that we might call music of the spheres. ![]() Very directly, the song addresses a supernatural sphere: ![]() Recorded Live: – Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) A Supernatural Sphere ![]()
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