Sugaree

Grateful Dead

About Sugaree

"Sugaree" is a song written by long-time Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and composed by guitarist Jerry Garcia. It was written for Jerry Garcia's first solo album Garcia, which was released in January 1972. As with the songs on the rest of the album, Garcia plays every instrument himself (except drums, played by Bill Kreutzmann), including acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and an electric guitar played through a Leslie speaker. The song was first performed live on July 31, 1971, at the Yale Bowl at Yale University, as was the song "Mr. Charlie". The song appears on numerous other recordings, including Dick's Picks Volume 3 and One From the Vault. Rusty York recorded a Marty Robbins-penned song in 1959 (Chess 1730) also called, "Sugaree."Fred Neil released a song in 1966 on his eponymous album called "I've Got a Secret (Didn't We Shake Sugaree)." Nick Barker covered this song on his album Black Water Blues released in 2009. Graham Parker covered the track on his 2004 album, Your Country. Jackie Greene recorded a cover for his 2009 release The Grateful EP. 


Year:
2003
7:35
84 
#1

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When they come to take you down
When they bring that wagon around
When they come to call on you
And drag your poor body down

Just one thing I ask of you
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me

You thought you was the cool fool
And never could do no wrong
Had everything sewn up tight
How come you lay awake all night long?

Just one thing I ask of you
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me

You know, in spite of all you gained
You still had to stand out in the pouring rain
One last voice is calling you
And I guess it's time you go

Just one thing I ask of you
There's just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me

Shake it up now Sugaree
I'll meet you at the jubilee
And if that jubilee don't come
Baby, I'll meet you on the run

Just one thing I ask of you
Just one thing for me
Please forget you knew my name
My darlin' Sugaree

Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me

Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me
Shake it, shake it Sugaree
Just don't tell them that you know me

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Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world." They were ranked 57th in the issue The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their Barton Hall Concert at Cor… more »

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Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

"Sugaree" Song Origin
"Sugaree" is a song by the rock band Grateful Dead. It was penned by long-term members Jerry Garcia (music) and Robert Hunter (lyrics).
Release Date
The song "Sugaree" was first released on Jerry Garcia's first solo album "Garcia", which released on January 20, 1972.
Recurring Theme
One of the recurring themes in "Sugaree" is forgiveness. Lyrics such as "Just don't tell them that you know me" express a desire for absolution and sentiment of redemption.
Grateful Dead Performance
Although "Sugaree" was originally released as a Jerry Garcia solo project, the Grateful Dead band ended up adding it in their live performance lineup.
Musical Arrangement
The musical arrangement of "Sugaree" is notable for the extensive guitar work. Jerry Garcia's intuitive and evocative playing is often highlighted in live performances of the song.
Song Interpretation
"Sugaree" is Robert Hunter’s most oblique and widely interpreted lyrics. Some believe that the song is about a man talking to a woman, and others believe it is about a conversation between a criminal and his conscience.
Song Length
The studio version of "Sugaree" is about 5 minutes long. However, live versions could last up to 20 minutes, often featuring extensive improvisational solos.
Cover Versions
"Sugaree" has been covered by several other artists, including Phish, Elizabeth Cook, and Rich Robinson.
Place in Grateful Dead Legacy
"Sugaree" remains one of the most beloved songs within the Grateful Dead discography, by the band and their fans (known as Deadheads).
Personal Connection
In a 1993 interview, Robert Hunter mentioned that the song reminded him of Garcia, suggesting that there might be a deeper personal connection embedded within the lyrics.

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