Ripple
Grateful Dead Lyrics
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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
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
The song "Ripple" by the Grateful Dead is a reflective ballad that touches on themes of connection, acceptance, and self-discovery. The opening verses express a desire to communicate one's innermost thoughts and emotions through music, asking if the listener would understand and appreciate such a message. The singer acknowledges that their ideas may not be fully formed or coherent, but they still long for the shared experience that music can provide.
The chorus, "Ripple in still water when there is no pebble tossed nor wind to blow," evokes a sense of calm and serenity that emerges when the world is quiet and still. This feeling is contrasted with the hectic noises of everyday life, represented by the broken and scattered thoughts that are "better left unsung." The second verse then shifts to a more communal message, encouraging listeners to reach out to those in need and also reminding them that there is an eternal spring of spiritual wisdom, untouched by human hands.
The final verse embraces the idea that life is a journey of self-discovery and that there is no one-size-fits-all path to follow. The singer cautions that those who choose to lead must also be willing to face the possibility of failure alone, but that ultimately each person must find their own way. The song concludes with a heartfelt sentiment, "If I knew the way, I would take you home," expressing a deep wish to help others find their own sense of belonging and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
If my words radiate the positivity of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
And my songs were still appreciated even if they were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you be able to listen to my voice through my music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
Would you cherish my music as if it were your own
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
My thoughts are a manifestation of an oral tradition
Perhaps they're better left unsung
Maybe it's best if my thoughts remain unheard
I don't know, don't really care
I don't know and it doesn't really matter to me
Let there be songs to fill the air
Just let there be music in the world
Ripple in still water
The small ripple in the still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Without anyone intentionally making it happen
Nor wind to blow
Without any external forces invloved
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If you're in need, you can ask for help
If your cup is full may it be again
If you're content, continue to be so
Let it be known there is a fountain
Understand that there is an ever-flowing source
That was not made by the hands of men
That was not created by human beings
There is a road, no simple highway
The journey isn't easy
Between the dawn and the dark of night
The journey spans from dawn to dusk
And if you go no one may follow
And if you embark on this journey, you may be alone
That path is for your steps alone
The path is specifically for you
You who choose to lead must follow
Those who choose to be leaders have to follow their own path
But if you fall you fall alone
But if you fail, you won't be able to depend on others to save you
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If you succeed, who will lead you next?
If I knew the way I would take you home
If I knew how to help you, I would guide you home
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaeloberg3018
It also is the song in the movie "Mask" that Cher is listening to when she finds her son Rocky dead in his bed and holds him crying.
It continues to play as she desperately destroys the house looking for any drugs she may have stashed and getting her aggression and anguish out.
What a great goddamned movie that was.
Times were so much more simple and hopeful in 1985.
It seems like we were more conscience of how much others meant to us then.
And when it's over, it's over so fast and final it stuns.
Today people are much more concerned about self needs and wants.
They will walk all over another human being to get temporary moments of what they think is happiness.
The point of life is to leave your footprint, your ripple, your influence and best example to as many people as possible.
That's the only way to truly live forever.
Make sure our reputation and example touch enough people to not die with us!
@Koffieleuter
LYRICS:
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...
@gratefuldead
🎵 Reach out your hand if your cup be empty , If your cup is full may it be again 🎵 We're taking 2020 home and offering up new hope for 2021 with the video premiere of "Ripple." Beautifully animated by Actuality Films, the video brings a Tarot card reading to life as it tells the story of The Fool crossing paths with The Muse, The Magician and The Devil. Can you spot the myriad of Easter eggs drawn from Grateful Dead lyrics and lore?
@tonifrancis7163
So cool and wonderful! Thank you and may 2021 bring us all smiling eyes of the world.
@benhutchinson9344
Appreciate that
@ericanderson954
The "R" and "H" on the pillars was very cool to see!
@jeffreysilk316
Damn, I enjoyed that!!
@erikagasper3555
Wow, thought I was old fashioned for still being attached to Pamela Coleman Smith's art in the ol Rider-Waite deck. So wonderful and resonant! Where I dreaming lay amazed 💙🌍☄
@christinemorris9921
My friend of 30 years was the most devoted Deadhead. He passed away in April. He loved this song. I play it for him everyday. I hope he hears it. Can't believe he's gone.
@charleswest6372
My band leader passed in February. We played GD alot.
@ShaggyHealerTTV
My best friend of 10 years introduced me to the Dead and recently passed ❤ she's still with me in everything I do and in the softness of my being
@teenut7024
He hears it!
Promise!!💛🌻💛