Jack Straw
Grateful Dead
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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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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.
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Song BackgroundThe 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.
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SongwritersIt 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.
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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."
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Character-Driven NarrativeThe song follows a narrative structure, telling the story of two highwaymen, Jack Straw and Shannon, on their journey through the American West.
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Unique StructureUnlike 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.
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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.
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Music StyleThe song is a blend of country and folk styles with the band's signature rock sound.
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Notable Live VersionA live version of "Jack Straw" from 1990, featuring guest musician Branford Marsalis on saxophone, is particularly well-regarded among fans.
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Post-Grateful DeadAfter 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.
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Popular Culture Reference"Jack Straw" was used in the soundtrack for the 1992 film, "My Cousin Vinny".
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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.
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SongwritingThe 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.
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First Appearance"Jack Straw" first appeared on the band's double live album "Europe '72," released in 1972.
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Story-Telling AspectThe song tells the story of two hobo friends, Jack Straw and Shannon, who are on the run after committing murder.
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PerformanceThe 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.
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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.
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Live Performances"Jack Straw" was a fan favorite at concerts, played nearly 500 times live by the Grateful Dead from 1971 to 1995.
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Cover VersionsThe 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.
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LegacyToday, "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.
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Contextual AspectThe 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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Citation
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"Jack Straw Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32096175/Grateful+Dead/Jack+Straw>.
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