Rockin' Chair
David Grisman Lyrics

The lyrics of David Grisman's "Rockin' Chair" paint a picture of the singer trapped in an oppressive situation, possibly due to age or health, unable to escape and with nothing to do but drink gin and swat at flies while rocking in his chair. The line "Cane by my side" suggests a physical disability or limitation, and the command to "Fetch me that gin, son/ 'Fore I tan your hide" hints at the singer's frustration and a potentially abusive relationship with whoever is nearby. The repetitive, monotonous rocking of the chair becomes a symbol for the singer's stagnation and imprisonment, as they acknowledge that they "Can't get from this cabin/ Ain't goin' nowhere."

The second stanza of the song introduces a note of hope in the form of the poet's recently departed Aunt Harriet. The lyrics suggest that Aunt Harriet's spirit has ascended to heaven, and that the singer hopes for some form of aid from her in escaping their own struggles. The line "Send down sweet chariot/ For the end of these troubles I see" references the traditional African American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which is often interpreted as a song about escape from slavery or other forms of confinement. Here, the singer is not explicitly a slave, but the theme of being trapped and seeking release echoes throughout the song. The final line, "Chained to that old rockin' chair," brings the song full circle and underscores the singer's sense of being trapped, despite the glimmer of hope offered by Aunt Harriet's presence.