Darkness, Darkness

Lyrics: Jesse Colin Young
Music: Jesse Colin Young

Played as a jam (no lyrics) by the Grateful Dead 3 times in 1970 (according to DeadBase) and once in 1971.

The 1971 version is on Road Trips Volume 1, Number 3, though--to my ears--it is less convincing than eg the version from 7 May 1970.

Also played in 2009 (with lyrics) by the Donna Jean Godchaux Band, and in 2016 by Phil Lesh & Friends.

Darkness, darkness, be my pillow
Take my hand, and let me sleep
In the coolness of your shadow
In the silence of your deep

Darkness, darkness, hide my yearning
For the things I cannot be
Keep my mind from constant turning
Toward the things I cannot see now
Things I cannot see now
Things I cannot see

Darkness, darkness, long and lonesome
Ease the day that brings me pain
I have felt the edge of sadness
I have known the depth of fear

Darkness, darkness, be my blanket
Cover me with endless night
Take away, take away the pain of knowing
Fill the emptiness of right now
Emptiness of right now
Emptiness of right

Darkness, darkness, be my pillow
Take my hand, and let me sleep
In the coolness of your shadow
In the silence of your deep

Darkness, darkness, be my blanket
Cover me with endless night
Take away, take away the pain of knowing
Fill the emptiness of right now
Emptiness of right now
Emptiness of right