St. Stephen
Grateful Dead
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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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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
AlbumThe song "St. Stephen" was featured on the Grateful Dead's critically acclaimed 1969 album "Aoxomoxoa".
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Songwriting TeamThe track was penned by the quintessential Grateful Dead songwriting team of Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Robert Hunter.
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Uncommon Rhythm"St. Stephen" is noted for its unusual rhythm, including prominent use of the uncommon 7/4 time signature.
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Live VersionThe song was a frequent part of the Grateful Dead's live repertoire from 1968 to 1971 but was then rarely played.
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ResurgenceAfter a hiatus of nearly five years, it made a brief resurgence in the band’s 1976 and 1977 sets.
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TributeThe song is speculated to be a tribute to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, though the Grateful Dead never confirmed this.
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Solo VersionJerry Garcia, one of the band's primary vocalists and guitarists, performed an acoustic version of "St. Stephen" during a solo concert in 1971.
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Alternate VersionsDifferent versions of "St. Stephen" have appeared on various live albums and bootlegs, showcasing the band's improvisational and evolving musical style.
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Last Live PerformanceThe song was last performed by the Grateful Dead on June 17, 1985, at the County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, California.
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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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