“Let it be known there is a fountain / That was not made by the hands of men”

by Vanderleun on September 24, 2019

I gotta say ( yet again) that this year is really, really, really starting to grind me down. And it’s still got about 100 days to go.

Today, it’s so long for now to one of my favorite poets.

Grateful Dead Collaborator and Lyricist Robert Hunter Dead at 78 It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night,”Hunter’s family announced in a statement. “He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand. For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way his is never truly gone. In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music. Let there be songs to fill the air.”

Here’s the classic Uncle John’s Band version:

And here, stripped of all the Dead’s musical accoutrements, is the poet bare, sharps and flats and all.

“Let there be songs to fill the air.” So long Robert. See you a little further down the road.

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they’re better left unsung
I don’t know, don’t really care
Let there be songs to fill the air

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow

You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who’s to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home

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Behind Enemy Lines September 24, 2019, 5:03 PM

VANDERLEUN on SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
I gotta say ( yet again) that this year is really, really, really starting to grind me down. And it’s still got about 100 days to go.

Today, it’s so long for now to one of my favorite poets.

Likewise.

They aren’t making guys like Hunter any more. Guess we’ll have to step up.

By the way, Ripple sounds simple, there’s no flash to it, but it is murder to play or sing.

∞
Rob De Witt September 24, 2019, 7:57 PM

Fare you well my honey
Fare you well my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Have flown except you alone

River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
All the way back back home

It’s a far gone lullaby
Sung many years ago
Mama, mama, many worlds I’ve come
Since I first left home

Going home, going home
By the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Going to plant a weeping willow
On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go, the river roll roll roll

Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

∞
Auntie Analogue September 24, 2019, 8:15 PM

For the last few decades it’s been golden to play & sing “Ripple.” First played it on my Epiphone twelve-banger (which I should never have sold!), then on Gertrude Guild, then on Susie Sigma, and now on Gertie Deuce.

“That path is for your steps alone, ” but along the way there’s been some lovely company, despite having been occasionally accused of, or having once in a while admitted to, being a Friend of the Devil.

∞
Patvann September 25, 2019, 1:10 PM

He and they are WHY I have my system. I feel like I just lost my favorite uncle.
-Damit. Damn damn DAMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

∞