David Grisman started his musical career in 1963 as a member of The Even Dozen Jug Band. His nickname, "Dawg" was affectionately assigned by his close friend Jerry Garcia (the two met at a Van Hoy Campground (NC) back when they used to host the old time fiddlers convention). "Dawg Music" is what he calls his mixture of bluegrass and Django Reinhardt-Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz, as highlighted on his 1977 album "Hot Dawg". Stephane Grappelli played on a couple of tracks on the Hot Dawg album and then the 1981 recording "Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live". It was his early fusions with Reinhardt-era Jazz that led to the formation of the genre known as newgrass. Grisman, along with New Grass Revival are generally considered the modern day Bill Monroes to this new bluegrass-influenced sound.
Denny Zeitlin, Tony Rice, Mark O'Connor, Béla Fleck, Bob Brozman, Mike Auldridge, Mike Seeger, David Bromberg, Martin Taylor, Del McCoury, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, John Hartford, Darol Anger (Turtle Island String Quartet), Sam Bush, and the Kronos Quartet are just some of the musicians that have played with David Grisman or been part of the DGQ (David Grisman Quintet).
The documentary "Grateful Dawg" chronicles the deep friendship between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. David Grisman appeared on the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album. To this day, Grisman complains of how Jerry Garcia vetoed the length of the mandolin solo featured on the studio version of Ripple. The two recorded a number of duet albums, including the children's album "Not for Kids Only". They also played together as the band "Old and in the Way" with Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and John Kahn, which recorded three different albums.
If I Lose
David Grisman Lyrics
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But now I find I'm wrong
Come on back, sweet Mama
Back where you belong
I've rambled over town
To find that I can't win
Come on back and pick me up again
Let me lose (let me lose)
I don't care (I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime
My baby, she's got money all the time
Of all the other gals I've known
There's none to take your place
'Cause when I get into a jam
They just ain't in the race
So now that you're back here
Let's take another round
With you here by my side
Babe, the deal just can't go down
Now if I lose (if I lose)
Let me lose (let me lose)
I don't care (I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime
My baby, she's got money all the time
Now if I lose (if I lose)
Let me lose (let me lose)
I don't care (I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime
My baby, she's got money all the time
The lyrics to David Grisman's song "If I Lose" are a plea from the singer to his lover to come back to him, recognizing that he was wrong to think he didn't need her. He acknowledges that he's been trying to win but can't, and asks her to pick him up again. He tells her that she's better than the other women he's known and that he relies on her help.
Throughout the song, he repeats a phrase, "if I lose, let me lose, I don't care how much I lose," which indicates that he is not worried about losing if he has her by his side. This may refer to more than just gambling, but also the struggles of life in general. The song could be seen as a statement of support and reassurance to the lover, that he doesn't need money or success to feel content, as long as she's with him.
Overall, the lyrics of "If I Lose" express the singer's reliance on his lover, her superiority to other women, and his gratitude for her support. The refrain emphasizes that he doesn't care about losing, as long as he has her by his side.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I'd need you
I did not expect to feel dependent on you
But now I find I'm wrong
However, my assumption was incorrect
Come on back, sweet Mama
Please return to me, my dear
Back where you belong
To the place where you rightfully should be
I've rambled over town
I have searched far and wide
To find that I can't win
But I have concluded that I cannot succeed alone
Come on back and pick me up again
So please come back and help me once more
Now if I lose (if I lose)
In the event that I am unsuccessful
Let me lose (let me lose)
Allow me to experience defeat
I don't care (I don't care)
It does not matter to me
How much I lose
The extent to which I am unsuccessful
If I lose a hundred dollars
Even if I lose a large sum of money
While I'm tryin' to win a dime
In an attempt to gain a small amount
My baby, she's got money all the time
My significant other always has wealth
Of all the other gals I've known
Compared to every other woman I have encountered
There's none to take your place
No one can replace you
'Cause when I get into a jam
Whenever I am in a difficult situation
They just ain't in the race
None of them can compete
So now that you're back here
Now that you have returned
Let's take another round
Let us make another attempt
With you here by my side
With you present with me
Babe, the deal just can't go down
The situation cannot work without you
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ralph Stanley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind