Jack Straw

Grateful Dead

About Jack Straw

Jack Straw is a rock song written by Bob Weir and Robert Hunter. The track appeared on the Grateful Dead album Europe '72, and was frequently performed live by the band. The song was first performed in concert on October 19, 1971, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at new keyboardist Keith Godchaux's first show with the band. In the song's earliest performances (c. 1971–72), Weir sang all of the vocals. On the Europe 72 Tour at The Olympia Theater in Paris on 5-03-72 Weir and Jerry Garcia began switching up the vocals. Bob Weir stated in a 2004 interview that the song's lyrics were partly based on John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men. The Grateful Dead tribute album Deadicated contains a rendition of "Jack Straw" recorded by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. 


Year:
2001
87 

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We can share the women
We can share the wine
We can share what we got of yours
'Cause we done shared all of mine

Keep a-rolling
Just a mile to go
Keep on rolling, my old buddy
You're moving much too slow

I just jumped the watchman
Right outside the fence
Took his ring, four bucks in change
Now ain't that heaven-sent?

Hurts my ears to listen, Shannon
Burns my eyes to see
Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon
Might as well be me

We used to play for silver
Now we play for life
One's for sport and one's for blood
At the point of a knife
Now the die is shaken
Now the die must fall
There ain't a winner in this game
Who don't go home with all
Not with all

Leaving Texas
Fourth day of July
Sun so hot, clouds so low
The eagles filled the sky

Catch the Detroit Lightning
Out of Santa Fe
Great Northern out of Cheyenne
From sea to shining sea

Gotta get to Tulsa
First train we can ride
Got to settle one old score
And one small point of pride

Ain't no place a man can hide, Shannon
Keep him from the sun
Ain't no bed will give us rest, man,
You keep us on the run

Jack Straw from Wichita 
Cut his buddy down
Dug for him a shallow grave
And laid his body down

Half a mile from Tucson
By the morning light
One man gone and another to go
My old buddy you're moving much too slow

We can share the women 
We can share the wine

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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: Robert C. Hunter, Robert Hall Weir

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


21 facts about this song

Band History
"Jack Straw" is a song by the Grateful Dead, an American rock band that formed in 1965 and was known for its eclectic style, which combines elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, gospel, and psychedelic rock.
Song Background
The song was first released in 1972 as part of the "Europe '72" album. However, it had already been performed live prior to the album's release.
Songwriters
It was composed by two founding members of the band, Bob Weir and Robert Hunter. Weir is credited for the music while Hunter wrote the lyrics.
Lyrics Inspiration
"Jack Straw" is one of several songs influenced by the writing of Jack Kerouac. Hunter has stated in interviews that he was inspired by the literary work, "On The Road."
Character-Driven Narrative
The song follows a narrative structure, telling the story of two highwaymen, Jack Straw and Shannon, on their journey through the American West.
Unique Structure
Unlike many of the Grateful Dead's other songs, "Jack Straw" contains no choruses. Its structure consists of four verses and an instrumental bridge, followed by two more verses.
Frequent Performance
"Jack Straw" was a staple of Grateful Dead live performances, but it was never released as a single. It has since been covered by numerous other artists.
Music Style
The song is a blend of country and folk styles with the band's signature rock sound.
Notable Live Version
A live version of "Jack Straw" from 1990, featuring guest musician Branford Marsalis on saxophone, is particularly well-regarded among fans.
Post-Grateful Dead
After the death of band member Jerry Garcia and the disbanding of the Grateful Dead, the song has remained part of the set lists for various members' subsequent bands, such as Dead & Company, which includes Weir.
Popular Culture Reference
"Jack Straw" was used in the soundtrack for the 1992 film, "My Cousin Vinny".
Origin
"Jack Straw" is a song by the Grateful Dead, an American rock band known for their eclectic style and improvisational performances. It is part of their famous repertoire that contributes to the band's legacy as pioneers of psychedelic rock.
Songwriting
The song was co-written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. The duo notably wrote most of the band's original songs together, with Hunter writing the lyrics and Garcia composing the music.
First Appearance
"Jack Straw" first appeared on the band's double live album "Europe '72," released in 1972.
Story-Telling Aspect
The song tells the story of two hobo friends, Jack Straw and Shannon, who are on the run after committing murder.
Performance
The song begins softly with an acoustic guitar intro, gradually building in intensity and volume. It features strong vocals from both Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia.
Originality
"Jack Straw" showcases the Grateful Dead's signature blend of rock, folk, and country music. The lyrics convey a narrative story, a common feature in many of the band's songs.
Live Performances
"Jack Straw" was a fan favorite at concerts, played nearly 500 times live by the Grateful Dead from 1971 to 1995.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists in different genres, proving its versatility and enduring popularity. This includes Bruce Hornsby, who often included the song in his concerts following his time with the Grateful Dead.
Legacy
Today, "Jack Straw" remains popular among fans of the Grateful Dead and is often featured in setlists of the surviving members' ongoing projects like Dead & Company.
Contextual Aspect
The song's narrative, taking place in the backdrop of the Great Depression, is seen as an allegory for the band's own experiences of life on the road and the struggle for freedom and survival.

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