Grateful Dead — Ripple
Album: American BeautyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3947
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall, you fall alone
If you should stand, then who's to guide you
If I knew the way I would take you home
La da da da La da da da da
La da da La da La da da da
La da da da La da da da da
La da da da La da da da da
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall, you fall alone
If you should stand, then who's to guide you
If I knew the way I would take you home
La da da da La da da da da
La da da La da La da da da
La da da da La da da da da
La da da da La da da da da
Comments (584)add comment
Yay to Phil!
This was my dad’s favorite Dead song. He lived to be 100 but couldn’t sing a note!
Sweet as a nut..
Any dream will do
Oh wait!!!! There IS a Dead song that I don't hate. And, this one is quite tasty.
Ahhh. Let us pause and sing along.
Oh - & thrn it up!
Oh - & thrn it up!
RIP Robert Hunter
since the end is never told
we pay the teller off in gold
in hopes he will come back
but he can not be bought or sold...
since the end is never told
we pay the teller off in gold
in hopes he will come back
but he can not be bought or sold...
The Grateful Dead is the only band you can sing along to off-key, and no one notices.
Ya know...they just don't write songs like this anymore.
My best friend of 40 years died last year from lung cancer. He was always a big GD fan and I know he loved this song. I asked his wife if we could play this song at his memorial service and she readily agreed. He was one who made ripples in still water throughout his life. Love you, warren T, miss you ever single day!
One of the great singalong songs. Even non-Dead fans like one.
this is one of my desert island songs. Always gives me smiles and shivers. Understated joy.
kingart wrote:
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
i'm with you on your comments here.
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
i'm with you on your comments here.
Jayesea wrote:
My thoughts exactly. One of the greatest incredibly beautiful songs.
Not in any way a Deadhead but this to me is an incredibly beautiful song. Jerry's vocals are so rich, soft and comforting here - like one's favorite blanket on a cold, winter evening.
My thoughts exactly. One of the greatest incredibly beautiful songs.
Not in any way a Deadhead but this to me is an incredibly beautiful song. Jerry's vocals are so rich, soft and comforting here - like one's favorite blanket on a cold, winter evening.
dancindan wrote:
Rest in peace, Robert.
A beautiful song by a master poet and lyricist. RIP, Robert Hunter.
Rest in peace, Robert.
One of those songs that just makes me happy
Used for the final song of our Co. president's untimely funeral. RIP Bob, I miss our conversations of all things musical. Enjoy your rest and I hope you and Jerry can jam together. 
RazzCat wrote:
Bwahahahaha... Good one!
Made me go to the fridge for the Cherry Garcia I'd forgotten I had.... :-)
Bwahahahaha... Good one!
kingart wrote:
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
Trevor grow up not everyone thinks like you musically thank goodness but I am with you on Trump
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
Trevor grow up not everyone thinks like you musically thank goodness but I am with you on Trump
That's pretty awesome isn't it...
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air
After watching a'Dead' documentary where I noticed a 'Brokedown Palace', I bought AB album and enjoy this beautiful song.
This wonderfully gentle song always puts me at peace.
flatop wrote:
Pretty sure they're all listening to songs in Spanish and getting paid poverty wages these days.
Great album ... road songs for migrant workers . Sing a longs
Pretty sure they're all listening to songs in Spanish and getting paid poverty wages these days.
Made me go to the fridge for the Cherry Garcia I'd forgotten I had.... :-)
Great album ... road songs for migrant workers . Sing a longs
BillG - this is a 10. Can we have more GD pls?
This song played in the background at my wedding.. simply awesome!
This does not get old
I really only like the Dead when Garcia is singing. That other guy really annoys me. Can't have everything.
so amateur like ..
Are you TRYING to make me cry, RadioParadise??
Fucking Stellar
My all time favorite Dead song. I get acid chills every time I hear it.
acolt wrote:
I always felt that way until I went to live shows of the dead. No other experience like it.
I don't know, I just never got into the Dead. If I'm jonesing for this kind of music, I'm just going to Simon & Garfunkel. The Dead are kind of like Star Wars to me, an institution enjoyed by multitudes that never made an impression with me.
I always felt that way until I went to live shows of the dead. No other experience like it.
Blijj wrote:
I clocked that as well... First performance 1 March 1968, this album dated 1970, so contemporaries. I sang it at school. Jerry would have been unlikely to hear it I would have thought. The similarity is mentioned in the Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Any_Dream_Will_Do_(song)
Any dream will do. A. Lloyd-Webber. Inspired-by or ripped-off?
The more ALW I hear over the years, the more "influences" I seem to perceive.
The more ALW I hear over the years, the more "influences" I seem to perceive.
I clocked that as well... First performance 1 March 1968, this album dated 1970, so contemporaries. I sang it at school. Jerry would have been unlikely to hear it I would have thought. The similarity is mentioned in the Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Any_Dream_Will_Do_(song)
acolt wrote:
No Dead? No Force? No Joy?
I don't know, I just never got into the Dead. If I'm jonesing for this kind of music, I'm just going to Simon & Garfunkel. The Dead are kind of like Star Wars to me, an institution enjoyed by multitudes that never made an impression with me.
No Dead? No Force? No Joy?
I don't know, I just never got into the Dead. If I'm jonesing for this kind of music, I'm just going to Simon & Garfunkel. The Dead are kind of like Star Wars to me, an institution enjoyed by multitudes that never made an impression with me.
Beautiful poetic. We love and miss you Jerry and Robert
Oh my my! If I knew the way I would take you home... 'nuff said!
Zestos wrote:
Even with the gear reduction boxes, there's a limit to how much you can flog those
forty horses...;-(
When Ripple came out I was barely getting up Independence Pass in Colorado in my '67 VW bus."There is a road no simple highway" lyric blasting away. Songs relate to good and bad memories, and every time I hear this I have to turn it up. In fact the whole American Beauty album does it for me every time.
Even with the gear reduction boxes, there's a limit to how much you can flog those
forty horses...;-(
When hearing this my mind just goes right on to Broken Down Palace. What an album.
A beautiful song by a master poet and lyricist. RIP, Robert Hunter.
kingart wrote:
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
Calm down people. Enjoy the music.
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
Calm down people. Enjoy the music.
bobcanna1 wrote:
I'm sorry I don't like the same music you do (small mind). My loss!
Can never get enough dead ..... come on, open up your small minds people!
I'm sorry I don't like the same music you do (small mind). My loss!
I'm hot and cold on the dead. I generally like them, but this song is a masterpiece. Also, just about every cover I've heard of it (especially Jane's Addiction) is equally fantastic.
My first Dead song. Still gives me something today....
Simply Beautiful
Been loving the Dead since 72
Classic, classic, classic.............................nuff' said!
RIP (September 23, 2019) Bob Hunter
Fare thee well, Robert Hunter.
kingart wrote:
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
☮️
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
☮️
TerrorGovernor wrote:
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
There are two kinds of people who don't enjoy the Dead,
The uneducated and the cynic
Beware of the cynics
Impeach Trump
The uneducated and the cynic
Beware of the cynics
Impeach Trump
I don't enjoy the Dead that much...except for this and a few other songs, which I think are brilliant. I luv this track. So I'm not cynical. Nor am I uneducated. So I mildly resent your generalization. I could say the same as you about a significant number of other musical artists I greatly admire, that thrill me. But I don't say that. Music is usually very subjective. Like I said, I'm no Dead fan -- overrrated -- but these and a number of other tracks are first rate. And stop calling me a cynic. A song like this makes me think and cry, and those are not the reactions of a cynic. That's bullshit.
When Ripple came out I was barely getting up Independence Pass in Colorado in my '67 VW bus."There is a road no simple highway" lyric blasting away. Songs relate to good and bad memories, and every time I hear this I have to turn it up. In fact the whole American Beauty album does it for me every time.
Ahhhh. A song for the Summer.
A few of us still out there.....
idiot_wind wrote:
or all of the above at the same time.
One of those songs in which you can:
- listen to
- sing along (both melody and harmony)
- think about
- play percussion to (on your desk or knees
- dance to (in the GD way, you know)
Cooooool.
- listen to
- sing along (both melody and harmony)
- think about
- play percussion to (on your desk or knees
- dance to (in the GD way, you know)
Cooooool.
or all of the above at the same time.
8 down to 5
There are two kinds of people who don't enjoy the Dead,
The uneducated and the cynic
Beware of the cynics
Impeach Trump
The uneducated and the cynic
Beware of the cynics
Impeach Trump
One of those songs in which you can:
- listen to
- sing along (both melody and harmony)
- think about
- play percussion to (on your desk or knees
- dance to (in the GD way, you know)
Cooooool.
- listen to
- sing along (both melody and harmony)
- think about
- play percussion to (on your desk or knees
- dance to (in the GD way, you know)
Cooooool.
Stephen_Phillips wrote:
or you!
Sweet_Virginia wrote:
That about sums up this song!
That about sums up this song!
or you!
MTboy wrote:
"One thing you can't hide is when you're crippled inside"
Can't wait until the Dead are really dead.
"One thing you can't hide is when you're crippled inside"
Sweet_Virginia wrote:
That about sums up this song!
That about sums up this song!
This song goes on and on. Not good.
Album: American Beauty
Released: 1970
Last play: Apr 23, 2018
Plays in last 30 days: 8252 <----- cool
Released: 1970
Last play: Apr 23, 2018
Plays in last 30 days: 8252 <----- cool
If I listen to this song a lot, will that make me a hippy, or is it the other way around?
This is the 2nd time I heard this song this Friday morning!
Yeah baby.
Yeah baby.
bobcanna1 wrote:
Can never get enough dead ..... come on, open up your small minds people!
I also like the GD although I'm not (or wasn't) a Dead Head....oh I wish I could have toured with the band back in the day....totally different life, eh?
As far as telling folks to "open up (their) small minds" well....that might not be the most persuasive argument style. And really, with an average rating of just under 8 with 2,000 ratings....this might be the highest rated GD tune. Besides, other than explaining why something is "10-Godlike vs 01-Sucko-Barfo" and maybe pointing out a few things about how the track was made, etc., I really don't think any of us can influence someone's taste/rating much more than a point.
This one's a 9-Outstanding to me. LONG LIVE RP and PEACE OUT
Can never get enough dead ..... come on, open up your small minds people!
treatment_bound wrote:
Never been to a live Dead show...do the gals all look like this?
Breath deep long enough and they do.
Never been to a live Dead show...do the gals all look like this?
Breath deep long enough and they do.
Was never a Deadhead. Didn't dislike them. Liked Uncle John's Farm and a few others, but just did not get the fascination at all Then I heard this song used in the last episode of Freaks and Geeks of all places, and I was intrigued. Bought American Beauty. Wow! Bought the album before and after it, heard a few concerts people had recorded. Kind of get it now.
MTboy wrote:
What a nasty person you are. Explains the state of the world.
Can't wait until the Dead are really dead.
What a nasty person you are. Explains the state of the world.
The whole of this album is just the best summer chillin music
idiot_wind wrote:
Never been to a live Dead show...do the gals all look like this?
Oh my...to hear this song live and see the women dance.
Never been to a live Dead show...do the gals all look like this?
Love it
Oh my...to hear this song live and see the women dance.
ah yes, it is that back to school time of year
Hell, on a sunny afternoon, after a few beers, this is just such an awesome song. Best way to enjoy it! Pour yourself one, sit in the sun and just unwind. It's the best therapy in the universe.
American Schlager, some might say.
Nice sensations. Nice memories. Nice mix-up with nice short-time fizzlers. Crappy juice; like Mike's Lemonade.
MTboy wrote:
I am not a Dead Head either. Their music just kind of annoys me. Don't want them dead but their music could just kind of go away.
PDS to the rescue.
Can't wait until the Dead are really dead.
I am not a Dead Head either. Their music just kind of annoys me. Don't want them dead but their music could just kind of go away.
PDS to the rescue.
MTboy wrote:
WTF Man!
Can't wait until the Dead are really dead.
WTF Man!
h8rhater wrote:
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
American Beauty is an unrecognized masterpiece.
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
American Beauty is an unrecognized masterpiece.
and here is my out of time comment: the end of Freaks and Geeks with this song is really cool...
Coaxial wrote:
Make it stop?
HA! How about...don't bogart that joint or pass the doobie
Make it stop?
HA! How about...don't bogart that joint or pass the doobie
below72 wrote:
Make it stop?
What's there to say?
Make it stop?
It's just not right listening to this song and then not hearing Brokedown Palace next.
h8rhater wrote:
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
you are the biggest crack up on R P!
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
you are the biggest crack up on R P!
kurbowicz wrote:
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
It's funny. I absolutely hate this band. Always have and always will but this is the only song I like by them...and I really really love it.
Just goes to show RP has my back.
Just goes to show RP has my back.
...and that your hate is mis-placed.
What's there to say?
idiot_wind wrote:
You can stream it in its entirety on YouTube.
Hey RP, I no longer have this album on CD, tape, or vinyl.
Can ya just play one side of it?
It's a mighty fine album.
Can ya just play one side of it?
It's a mighty fine album.
You can stream it in its entirety on YouTube.
Thank you from Jerry! And the dead. It made my night wonderful.
Hey RP, I no longer have this album on CD, tape, or vinyl.
Can ya just play one side of it?
It's a mighty fine album.
Can ya just play one side of it?
It's a mighty fine album.
goosebumps
fyi
Janes Addition does a great version as well
M2B
It's funny. I absolutely hate this band. Always have and always will but this is the only song I like by them...and I really really love it.
Just goes to show RP has my back.
Just goes to show RP has my back.
such a beautiful, trippy, cryptic, and hooky song that you can sing as well as drive and dance to.
Yeah baby.
Yeah baby.
Good set today, I guess work can wait until the coffee is drunk, and the soul satiated
Godlike.... and then some!
Source: https://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/280033/screenshots/1880055/attachments/318673/ripple_glow.gif
sing-along anyone?
thewiseking wrote:
No, that would be Pink Floyd
The Dead got there name because they were grateful that their fans had ears that were dead.
No, that would be Pink Floyd
The Dead got there name because they were grateful that their fans had ears that were dead.
Can't wait until the Dead are really dead.
Posted: Sep 12, 2006 - 09:44
Wow. This song is perfection. Gives me chills every time. You know when the stars are aligned, and the music and lyrics come together beyond gracefully... that's bliss.
Every time I hear this, I think of two dear friends who have left this earth. Rest in peace, John "Ernie" Beer and Earl "Willy" Doyle - you are both deeply missed.
^ Wow... I knew I had commented on this song at some point in the past, but didn't realize it was nearly TEN years ago. I still feel the same about it, and I still think of these friends every time I hear it.
RP has been a part of my life since 2002. FOURTEEN years. Thank you, Bill & Rebecca!
Any Dream Will Do.
Jerry and Robert channeling Andrew Lloyd Webber!
Jerry and Robert channeling Andrew Lloyd Webber!
nagsheadlocal wrote:
If you were in college in the early 70s, this song should bring back good memories and a smile.
And I'm not even a Dead fan . . .
And I'm not even a Dead fan . . .
Closing song of the Dear Jerry Tribute Concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion this past June. They made it a huge sing-a-long and 25000 people were in tune, emotionally and (somewhat) musically.
So great.
So great.
Larrygrrl wrote:
You had to be there. One of the great songs of that time period.
I don't get it and most likely never will. I thank you for the PSD button, from the bottom of my "grateful" heart.
You had to be there. One of the great songs of that time period.
I don't get it and most likely never will. I thank you for the PSD button, from the bottom of my "grateful" heart.
Piranga wrote:
No, that would be Pink Floyd
A decent song from the most over-rated band in history.
No, that would be Pink Floyd
c'mon. we're not worthy to rate this!
nagsheadlocal wrote:
Yes, and yes it does. This song just always seems to be right on when ever its played.
8 to 9
If you were in college in the early 70s, this song should bring back good memories and a smile.
And I'm not even a Dead fan . . .
And I'm not even a Dead fan . . .
Yes, and yes it does. This song just always seems to be right on when ever its played.
8 to 9
Just a beautiful, trippy, well-played, well-sung song.
Most bands today just scratch their heads in wonderment and just don't get it.
Most bands today just scratch their heads in wonderment and just don't get it.
jagdriver wrote:
Ibid. I had to PSD it once it came on, as I could already sense the sing-along bit looming at the end.
Nice song, but I wish they hadn't included the sing-along portion at the end.
Ibid. I had to PSD it once it came on, as I could already sense the sing-along bit looming at the end.
Nice song, but I wish they hadn't included the sing-along portion at the end.
Hooray for hippies!
Love this song.
Love this song.