by happycat! >^.^<m~ | Aug 9, 2016 | Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter
An Elegy for Jerry by Robert Hunter
Jerry, my friend,
you’ve done it again,
even in your silence
the familiar pressure
comes to bear, demanding
I pull words from the air
with only this morning
and part of the afternoon
to compose an ode worthy
of one so particular
about every turn of phrase,
demanding it hit home
in a thousand ways
before making it his own,
and this I can’t do alone.
Now that the singer is gone,
where shall I go for the song?
Without your melody and taste
to lend an attitude of grace
a lyric is an orphan thing,
a hive with neither honey’s taste
nor power to truly sting.
What choice have I but to dare and
call your muse who thought to rest
out of the thin blue air
that out of the field of shared time,
a line or two might chance to shine —
As ever when we called,
in hope if not in words,
the muse descends.
How should she desert us now?
Scars of battle on her brow,
bedraggled feathers on her wings,
and yet she sings, she sings!
May she bear thee to thy rest,
the ancient bower of flowers
beyond the solitude of days,
the tyranny of hours–
the wreath of shining laurel lie
upon your shaggy head
bestowing power to play the lyre
to legions of the dead
If some part of that music
is heard in deepest dream,
or on some breeze of Summer
a snatch of golden theme,
we’ll know you live inside us
with love that never parts
our good old Jack O’Diamonds
become the King of Hearts.
I feel your silent laughter
at sentiments so bold
that dare to step across the line
to tell what must be told,
so I’ll just say I love you,
which I never said before
and let it go at that old friend
the rest you may ignore.
???? ~ ???? ~ ????
….presented by Hunter at the conclusion of the “homily/reflections” for Jerry on August 12, 1995 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Belvedere, CA.
Source https://archive.org/post/319140/an-elegy-for-jerry-by-robert-hunter
8/8/93 JGB, Portland Meadows, Portland Oregon © Robbi Cohn,
Deadimages.com
by happycat! >^.^<m~ | Sep 19, 2013 | Robert Hunter
Our Bard. Recognized!
Hunter, who in a few days will be embarking on his first tour in years (www.RobertHunterTour.com), got the recognition he deserved. He was one of several artists to receive this special honor, along with Dr. John, Duane Eddy, Stephen Stills, and Hank Williams (source: The Tennesean). As soon as we find a recording or video of him receiving his award and his performance of Ripple we will share it!
Here is a picture of Robert Hunter at the awards. Another image, via Getty Images
Upcoming Robert Hunter Tour Dates (from www.RobertHunterTour.com)
by happycat! >^.^<m~ | Sep 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Having a great festive time at Telluride Brews and Blues festival! I got here at 4:20 just in told for Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
Right now we’re listening to ac sweet set of Little Feat, including some of there newer material that they wrote with Robert Hunter, like “Rooster Rag”.
Coming up next is try by what B-52s.
by happycat! >^.^<m~ | Feb 17, 2012 | Uncategorized
Jon Mcintire, former manager of the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage, and a Rex Foundation board member, passed away on Feb. 16th 2012.
He had been suffering with throat cancer, according to a close friend. No further details are available, but we do have this beautiful poem, by Robert Hunter.
For Jon McIntire, a Word or Two
What word will do
to gesture toward
the dark gathering
of mutual mystery,
said of the unseen
by saying nothing?
Beyond utterance,
speechlessness
hoping to be heard
by a keener ear,
before any word
was ever spoken,
dies broken like night
by a single shaft of sun.
Silence past Summer,
unmurmuring Spring,
Autumn unmentioned,
Winter, mute, or that
other season: Humanity
wherein we dwell,
listening, listening,
sometimes ceasing
to mere appearance.
Not far to go,
a simple step
into forever. . .
Off then, goodnight,
into sheer light
beyond any season
known to the moon.
February 16, 2012 Robert Hunter