Uncle John's Band

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia

Well the first days are the hardest days, don't you worry any more
'Cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door
Think this through with me, let me know your mind
Wo-oh, what I want to know is, are you kind?

It's a buck dancer's choice my friend, better take my advice
You know all the rules by now, and the fire from the ice
Will you come with me, won't you come with me?
Wo-oh, what I want to know, will you come with me?

God damn, well I declare, have you seen the like?
Their walls are built of cannon balls
Their motto is "don't" tread on me"

Come hear Uncle John's Band, playing to the tide
Come with me or go alone
He's come to take his children home (note 1)

It's the same story the crow told me, it's the only one he knows
Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go
Ain't no time to hate, barely time to wait
Wo-oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?

I live in a silver mine and I call it beggar's tomb
I got me a violin and I beg you call the tune
Anybody's choice, I can hear your voice
Wo-oh, what I want to know, how does the song go?

Come hear Uncle John's Band, by the river side
Got some things to talk about
Here beside the rising tide

Come hear Uncle John's Band, playing to the tide
Come with me or go alone
He's come to take his children home

Wo-oh what I want to know, how does the song go?

Come hear Uncle John's Band, by the river side
Got some things to talk about
Here beside the rising tide

"Bolden would be out at Johnson Park to attract the crowd would point his cornet in the direction of Lincoln Park. That, as [bassist] Willy Cornish explain was 'Callin' Our Chillun Home'--home where the rags were played in brighter tempos, as stomps or joys, where the blues dragged and wailed, and where there was 'jazz in brass' even before they called it that."

Why wait in the dark for dawn when the sun's still going down
Maybe I'll dust off your chair if you say you're comin' round
Keep your place in line, all things come in time
Whoa-oh,all I need to know, do these coals glow?

Would you carry me uphill back the way I carried you?
Take me further, if you can, (you know) I'd do the same for you
Think this through with me, let me know your mind
Whoa-oh all I want to know is, will you be kind?

Well now, I can hear the flutter of their wings
Standin' still or run like hell, can you hear the sirens sing?