St. Stephen

Grateful Dead

About St. Stephen

"St. Stephen" is a song by the Grateful Dead, written by Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh and Robert Hunter and originally released on the 1969 studio album Aoxomoxoa. The same year, a live version of the song was released on Live/Dead, their first concert album. Unlike the studio version, live versions usually included a section of the song called the "William Tell Bridge", which was used to segue into "The Eleven". After being played frequently in live concerts from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, the song fell out of regular performance; subsequent live performances of St. Stephen were thus considered a special event by deadheads. The song makes reference to the last days and trial of the 1st century AD saint, Stephen, the first martyr of the New Testament of the Bible, who was stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60). Many Deadheads believe that the song is about Stephen Gaskin; however, Hunter denied this in an interview. 


Year:
2001
6:31
70 
#1

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Saint Stephen with a rose, in and out of the garden he goes
Country garden in the wind and the rain
Wherever he goes the people all complain

Stephen prospered in his time, well he may and he may decline
Did it matter, does it now? Stephen would answer if he only knew how
Wishing well with a golden bell, bucket hanging clear to hell
Hell halfway twixt now and then
Stephen fill it up and lower down and lower down again

Lady finger, dipped in moonlight, writing "What for?" across the morning sky
Sunlight splatters, dawn with answer, darkness shrugs and bids the day goodbye

Speeding arrow, sharp and narrow
What a lot of fleeting matters you have spurned
Several seasons with their treasons
Wrap the babe in scarlet colors, call it your own
Did he doubt or did he try? Answers aplenty in the bye and bye
Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills
One man gathers what another man spills

Saint Stephen will remain, all he's lost he shall regain
Seashore washed by the suds and foam,
Been here so long, he's got to calling it home

Fortune comes a crawlin', calliope woman, spinnin' that curious sense of your own
Can you answer, yes I can
But what would be the answer to the answer man?

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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 »

10 fans

Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Philip Lesh, Robert C. Hunter

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album
The song "St. Stephen" was featured on the Grateful Dead's critically acclaimed 1969 album "Aoxomoxoa".
Songwriting Team
The track was penned by the quintessential Grateful Dead songwriting team of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Robert Hunter.
Uncommon Rhythm
"St. Stephen" is noted for its unusual rhythm, including prominent use of the uncommon 7/4 time signature.
Live Version
The song was a frequent part of the Grateful Dead's live repertoire from 1968 to 1971 but was then rarely played.
Resurgence
After a hiatus of nearly five years, it made a brief resurgence in the band’s 1976 and 1977 sets.
Tribute
The song is speculated to be a tribute to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, though the Grateful Dead never confirmed this.
Solo Version
Jerry Garcia, one of the band's primary vocalists and guitarists, performed an acoustic version of "St. Stephen" during a solo concert in 1971.
Alternate Versions
Different versions of "St. Stephen" have appeared on various live albums and bootlegs, showcasing the band's improvisational and evolving musical style.
Last Live Performance
The song was last performed by the Grateful Dead on June 17, 1985, at the County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, California.
Legacy
"St. Stephen" continues to be a fan-favorite, and its driving rhythm and enigmatic lyrics embody the classic Grateful Dead sound. The detailed artwork and intricate story depicted within the album have made it a timeless piece of music history.

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