Terrapin Station
Grateful Dead Lyrics
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light the song with sense and color
Hold away despair
more than this I will not ask
Faced with mysteries dark and vast
statements just seem vain at last
Some rise
some climb
to get to terrapin
Counting stars by candlelight
all are dim but one is bright
The spiral light of Venus
rising first and shining best
On, from the northwest corner
of a brand new crescent moon
While crickets and cicadas sing
a rare and different tune
Terrapin station
In the shadow of the moon, terrapin station
And I know we'll be there soon, terrapin
I can't figure out, terrapin
if it's the end or beginning, terrapin
But the train's put it's brakes on, terrapin
And the whistle is screaming, terrapin
The opening lines of the song Terrapin Station, Inspiration, move me brightly, light the song with sense and color, refers to Jerry Garcia seeing a beautiful burst of light and trying to capture it in words. The lyrics suggest that he is looking to be inspired and hoping that inspiration will help him create something beautiful. The line, Hold away despair, suggests that he is trying to ward off any negative feelings or emotions as he seeks inspiration. This line is then followed by, More than this I will not ask, which indicates that he is content with the inspiration that he has received, and he will not ask for anything more.
The main theme of the song is the idea of journeying to a mythical place called Terrapin Station. Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to Terrapin, refers to the journey of each individual to reach their own goals. The image of counting stars by candlelight suggests that even in the darkest of situations, there is always a glimmer of hope. The line, I can't figure out if it's the end or beginning, terrapin, suggests that the journey to Terrapin is not straightforward, and that the meaning of the journey is elusive. The train imagery in the song further reinforces the concept of a journey towards something, but the song leaves it open-ended as to where this journey is leading.
Overall, the song Terrapin Station is a poetic expression of hope, inspiration, and the journey towards finding meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Inspiration, move me brightly
May the inspiration move me with brightness
light the song with sense and color
Make the song meaningful and colorful
Hold away despair
Keep sadness away
more than this I will not ask
I do not expect more than this
Faced with mysteries dark and vast
Confronted with difficult and extensive mysteries
statements just seem vain at last
Words begin to seem meaningless in the end
Some rise
Some people succeed
some fall
Some people fail
some climb
Some people attain success after struggle
to get to terrapin
In order to reach Terrapin
Counting stars by candlelight
Observing stars using candlelight
all are dim but one is bright
All the stars are dull except one
The spiral light of Venus
The whirling light of Venus is visible
rising first and shining best
Venus is the first and brightest to rise
On, from the northwest corner
From the north-west corner
of a brand new crescent moon
Of a new crescent moon
While crickets and cicadas sing
With the humming of crickets and cicadas
a rare and different tune
A unique and distinctive melody
Terrapin station
Terrapin station
In the shadow of the moon, terrapin station
At a place known as Terrapin station
And I know we'll be there soon, terrapin
I am certain we will arrive soon
I can't figure out, terrapin
Uncertain about Terrapin
if it's the end or beginning, terrapin
Whether it marks the end or the beginning
But the train's put it's brakes on, terrapin
The train has arrived at Terrapin
And the whistle is screaming, terrapin
The whistle loudly announces the arrival
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakedelacuesta6760
My dad loved the Grateful Dead. He went to all of their concerts and wrote books about them. Even met them personally. Just as I began to share that love with him, he passed away. This song connects me through him in spirit and I know he would have been proud of me.
@oopsmike2112
I imagine it meant the world to him the first time you smiled when you figured out the GD. More than this I will not ask / Faced with mysteries dark and vast
@MrCooperAnthony
<3
@user-ez5xv1bx9j
Hang in there my friend he truly shared something with you that will be forever ❤️
@xsango
God loves you, your dad, and the entire Grateful Dead band....how's that for love!
@valeriebennett9590
❤❤❤❤❤❤
@ThomasSaban-qo7ev
Terrapin is one of the best songs ever. Im so glad to have been able to see them in person more times than i can count. Im a Neuro surgeon and this plays during most surgeries I peform. It help patient remain calm and helps them through the worst times.
@michaelmcintire8781
A Neuro surgeon that didn't pass his Grammer class.
@user-ez5xv1bx9j
Impressive my skills are not the same but it always seems to make things better
. Would like to speak more please
@petratical
Cool.