Celebration

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Phil Lesh

A new Lesh/Hunter song written in 2001 and played by Phil Lesh & Friends. Re-introduced in a truncated version by Furthur in 2010.

Celebration in the wind
Open the doors, let the show begin
Come like lightning, come like rain
Come on the double with your ball and chain
Come with your trouble, your sweat and strain
Check 'em all at the door with your grief and pain

Celebration, like days of old
When everything was solid gold
Silver, diamonds, pearls and wine
Blood and roses, both yours and mine
Sunlight shining on a midnight line
That opens and closes like a holy shrine

Let a fresh wind tear through your soul
Swallow your sorrow and deliver you whole
Give you reason to believe again
But finish that prayer before you say Amen

Celebration, one on one
Hold your judgement till it's done
Until the last wheel is spun and still
The final sunbeam sets on the hill
The curtain not only fallen but burned
The very last lesson studied and learned

Celebration, the ball's in play
There was never no yesterday
Just one time the spirit moves
Proving whatever the spirit proves
Nothing to win and nothing to lose
Stepping on nobody's blue suede shoes

Let a fresh wind tear through your soul
Swallow your sorrow and deliver you whole
Give you reason to believe again
But finish that prayer before you say Amen

You say there's nothing left to celebrate
Just stolen elections, corruption and hate
Come on, come on let the good times roll
It means more now than you'll ever know
Begin again, don't you ever give up
Tryin' to fit the ocean in a six ounce cup
Begin again as though the world will hear
Speak your truth both loud and clear

Speak it like a beast howling in the wild
Speak it from the heart like an innocent child
Speak it from the mountain, speak it from the plain
Speak it like the whistle on a northbound train
Speak it with honor, speak it with pride
Speak it from the meadow by the riverside
Speak it from experience, speak it from fame
Speak it from the gutter with an unknown name
Speak it from the rooftops of the town
Speak it from the tenements tumbling down
Speak it from the podium, speak it from the stage
Speak it from the prison in tones of rage
Speak it in the tongues of gods and men
Say it, say it, say it, say it again
Speak it from the pits or from heaven above
In celebration, baby, speak it with love

Celebration, you know it's true
There was no one until there was you
You say where, I'll say when, we'll
Get it together and begin again
Like recognition of lovers and friends
In celebration that never ends

Celebration - in full sweet swing
Of everyone and everything
That causes hopes and dreams to rise
Bringing love light to your eyes
Bringing laughter to your heart
Celebration, let it start

Let a fresh wind tear through your soul
Swallow your sorrow and deliver you whole
Like a breath of summer in a winter land
Blowing rhythm so simple, hearts can easily understand
This is the truncated version played by Furthur in 2010/11
Celebration in the wind
Open the doors, let the show begin
Come like lightning, come like rain
Come on the double with your ball and chain
Come with your trouble, your sweat and strain
Check 'em all at the door with your grief and pain

Celebration, like days of old
When everything was solid gold
Silver, diamonds, pearls and wine
Blood and roses, both yours and mine
Sunlight shining on a midnight line
That opens and closes like a holy shrine

Let a fresh wind tear through your soul
Swallow your sorrow and deliver you whole
Give you reason to believe again
But finish that prayer before you say Amen

You say there's nothing left to celebrate
Just stolen elections, corruption and hate
Come on, come on let the good times roll
It means more now than you'll ever know
Begin again, don't you ever give up
Tryin' to fit the ocean in a six ounce cup
Begin again as though the world will hear

Speak it from the mountain, speak it from the plain
Speak it like the whistle on a northbound train
Speak it from the pits or from heaven above
In celebration, baby, speak it with love

Let a fresh wind tear through your soul
Swallow your sorrow and deliver you whole
Give you reason to believe again
But finish that prayer before you say Amen

Like a breath of summer in a winter land
Blowing rhythm so simple, hearts can easily understand
Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
     studio 2002 There And Back Again Phil Lesh & Friends


Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography

 


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