Mayer recounts that in 2011 he was listening to Pandora and happened upon the song "Althea" by the Grateful Dead, and that soon Grateful Dead music was all he would listen to. In February 2015, while Mayer was guest hosting The Late Late Show, he invited Grateful Dead guitar player Bob Weir to join him in a studio performance. A bond developed between the two, and while Weir and the other three surviving core members of the Grateful Dead were preparing for their 50th anniversary shows, dubbed Fare Thee Well, Mayer began practicing the band's large catalog of songs. That August, Mayer and original Grateful Dead members Weir, Hart, and Kreutzmann formed the band, along with keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and bassist Oteil Burbridge. Mayer expressed a particularly strong enthusiasm toward playing with the new band.
Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead, did not join Dead & Company. Instead he continued to perform with his band Phil Lesh and Friends. Mike Gordon of Phish briefly auditioned for the bassist role but had to withdraw due to being too busy with other matters.
The band has not released any studio recordings, but all of the concerts from their 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 tours have been (or are being) released on CD, iTunes, streaming services, and through their Livedead.co website.
https://deadandcompany.com/
Brokedown Palace
Dead & Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fare you well my only true one
All the birds that were singing
Have flown except you alone
Going to leave this broke-down palace
On my hands and my knees I will roll, roll, roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In a bed, in a bed
By the waterside I will lay my head
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
River gonna take me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Sing me sweet and sleepy
All the way back back home
It's a far gone lullaby
Sung many years ago
Mama, mama, many worlds I've come
Since I first left home
Going home, going home
By the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
Going to plant a weeping willow
On the banks green edge it will grow, grow, grow
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Lovers come and go, the river roll, roll, roll
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul
The lyrics of Dead & Company's song "Brokedown Palace" depict a bittersweet farewell, a longing for home, and the soothing power of nature. The opening lines bid farewell to a loved one, expressing a deep affection and acknowledging their importance as the only remaining source of comfort. The imagery of birds flying away, leaving only the loved one behind, suggests a sense of abandonment or isolation.
The singer then declares their intention to leave a broken-down palace, suggesting a desire for a fresh start or escape from a difficult situation. This departure is described as a humble act, crawling on hands and knees, emphasizing the determination to move forward despite the challenges. The singer seeks solace by the waterside, symbolizing a return to nature, where they make a bed and reflect on their own time and journey.
The chorus brings forth the imagery of the river singing sweet songs, providing a soothing and nurturing presence. The river becomes a metaphor for life's journey, carrying the singer and offering respite for their weary soul. The idea of going back home is intertwined with the comforting melodies of the river, suggesting a desire for a familiar place of rest and belonging.
The lyrics also touch upon the passage of time and the experiences the singer has had since leaving home. They reflect on the many worlds they have encountered, suggesting a sense of growth, change, and perhaps a yearning for the simplicity and security of their origins.
In the final verse, the singer speaks of their intention to plant a weeping willow tree on the riverbank, symbolizing a longing for stability and a connection to the natural world. The image of lovers coming and going implies the ephemeral nature of relationships, while the ongoing rolling of the river serves as a reminder of life's continuous flow and evolution.
Overall, "Brokedown Palace" explores themes of love, farewell, homecoming, and the healing power of nature. It portrays a journey of introspection and resilience, as the singer seeks solace and a sense of belonging amidst the ebb and flow of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Fare you well my honey
Goodbye my love
Fare you well my only true one
Goodbye my one and only
All the birds that were singing
All the joy and happiness is gone
Have flown except you alone
Except for you, there is nothing left
Going to leave this broke-down palace
I am leaving this rundown place
On my hands and my knees I will roll, roll, roll
I will leave with great humility
Make myself a bed by the waterside
I will find solace by the river
In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll, roll
In due time, I will move forward
In a bed, in a bed
Resting, resting
By the waterside I will lay my head
Finding peace by the river
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
Finding comfort in the sounds of nature
To rock my soul
To soothe my spirit
River gonna take me
The river will guide me
Sing me sweet and sleepy
Singing me gently to sleep
All the way back back home
Taking me back to where I belong
It's a far gone lullaby
A distant lullaby
Sung many years ago
That has been sung for many years
Mama, mama, many worlds I've come
Mother, I have traveled through many worlds
Since I first left home
Since the day I parted from my home
Going home, going home
Returning home, going home
By the waterside I will rest my bones
Finding peace and solace by the river
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
Finding comfort in the gentle melodies of the river
To rock my soul
To calm and comfort my spirit
Going to plant a weeping willow
I will plant a tree of sadness
On the banks green edge it will grow, grow, grow
It will thrive on the riverbank
Sing a lullaby beside the water
Sing a comforting song next to the river
Lovers come and go, the river roll, roll, roll
Love is fleeting, and the river keeps flowing
Fare you well, fare you well
Goodbye, goodbye
I love you more than words can tell
My love for you is beyond expression
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
Find solace in the melodies of the river
To rock my soul
To soothe and calm my inner being
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind