Their first release in 1985 was a seven-inch single named "Crazy Game", with the B-side "Everybody's Waiting (for Someone to Come Home)". That same year, the Indigo Girls released a six-track Extended play album named "Indigo Girls", and in 1987 released their first full-length album, Strange Fire, recorded at John Keane Studio in Athens, Georgia, and including "Crazy Game". With this release, they secured the services of Russell Carter, who remains their manager to the present; they had first approached him when the EP album was released, but he told them their songs were "immature" and they were not likely to get a record deal.
They were signed to Epic Records in 1989 and won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album later that year (for their self titled release) Some of their hit songs include "Galileo," "Closer to Fine," and "Shame on You."
Aside from being musicians, Ray and Saliers are activists, constantly supporting causes like gun control, women's rights, Native American rights, environmental protection, the abolition of the death penalty, and as lesbians themselves, LGBT rights. They constantly devote their time and money to such causes, often playing benefit concerts.
Ray and Saliers both have side projects. Ray owns and founded Daemon Records, an independent label based in Decatur. She also has a career as a solo artist, and has released two albums thus far. Saliers is the part owner of Watershed, a restaurant and wine bar in Decatur.
Together, the Indigo Girls are constantly touring. Their new album, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug, was released March 24, 2009.
Uncle John's Band
Indigo Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you worry anymore
'Cause when life looks like easy street
There is danger at your door
Now think this through with me
Let me know your mind
Oh what I want to know
Is are you kind
Now it's a buck dancers choice my friends
Better take my advice
You know all the rules by now
And the fire from the ice
Now will you come with me
Won't you come with me
Oh what I want to know
Will you come with me
Sister well I declare
Have you seen the like
Their walls are built of cannon balls
Their motto is don't tread on me
Come hear uncle john's band
Playing to the tide
Come with me or go alone
He's come to take his children home
It's the same story the crow told me
It's the only one he knows
Like the morning sun you come
And like the wind you go
Ain't no time to hate
Barely time to wait
Oh what I want to know
Where does the time go
I live in a silver mine
And I call it beggers tomb
I've got me a violin
And I beg you call the tune
Anybody's choice
I can hear your voice
Oh what I want to know
How does the song go
Come hear uncle john's band
By the riverside
Got some things to talk about
Here beside the rising tide
Come hear uncle john's band
Playing to the tide
Come on come on or go alone
He's come to take his children home
Whoa what I want to know
How does the song go
Come hear uncle john's band
By the riverside
Got some things to talk about
Here beside the rising tide
Come hear uncle john's band
Playing to the tide
Come on along or go alone
He's come to take his children home
Come hear uncle john's band
(brother)
By the riverside
(ain't no time to hate)
Got some things to talk about
(sister)
Here beside the rising tide
(ain't no time to wait)
Come hear uncle john's band
Playing to the tide
Come on along or go alone
He's come to take his children home
"Uncle John's Band" by Indigo Girls is a cover of the original song by the Grateful Dead. The lyrics speak about the early days of one's life being the hardest and how life may seem like an easy street, but danger could still be lurking. The song encourages the listener to be kind and choose their path wisely. It also mentions rules and how fire and ice could pose as challenges. The song talks about Uncle John's band playing by the riverside, inviting people to come with him and take his children home.
The song uses various metaphors to describe life's journey. For instance, "You know all the rules by now, and the fire from the ice" implies that the listener has been through enough experiences in life to know what to do when faced with difficult choices. The line "Their walls are built of cannonballs, their motto is 'Don't tread on me'" alludes to a warning against conflict or aggression. The lyrics suggest that life is a journey that moves quickly, and one must make wise choices at every turn.
Interestingly, the song references "beggar's tomb," which is a term that the Grateful Dead used to describe their shared house at the time. Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, and Phil Lesh wrote "Uncle John's Band" while living in the house. The song features several biblical references, such as the mention of Uncle John's band taking his children home. The lyrics also reference the crow, which is seen as a mystical symbol in some cultures.
Overall, the song is a celebration of life and encourages people to be kind, make wise choices, and enjoy the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the first days are the hardest days
The beginning of any new experience can be tough.
Don't you worry anymore
Do not be anxious about how things will work out.
'Cause when life looks like easy street
When everything seems to be going well.
There is danger at your door
Do not let your guard down because danger is always around the corner.
Now think this through with me
Reflect on this with me.
Let me know your mind
Share your thoughts with me.
Oh what I want to know
I am curious.
Is are you kind
Are you a good and compassionate person.
Now it's a buck dancers choice my friends
It's up to you to decide for yourself.
Better take my advice
Listen to what I have to say.
You know all the rules by now
You are familiar with what is expected of you.
And the fire from the ice
Beware the potential dangers that come with any situation.
Now will you come with me
Will you join me?
Won't you come with me
Please join me.
Sister well I declare
Wow, sister!
Have you seen the like
Have you ever seen anything like this?
Their walls are built of cannon balls
Their defenses are very strong.
Their motto is don't tread on me
They warn others not to cross them.
Come hear uncle john's band
Come listen to Uncle John's music.
Playing to the tide
Playing to the rhythm of the ocean.
Come with me or go alone
Join me on this adventure or do it solo.
He's come to take his children home
He's come to guide and bring his family back together.
It's the same story the crow told me
It's a common story that everyone knows.
It's the only one he knows
The crow only knows this one story.
Like the morning sun you come
Like a new day, you come into this moment.
And like the wind you go
Just as the wind is not permanent, neither are you.
Ain't no time to hate
There is no time to hold onto anger.
Barely time to wait
There is very little time before things may pass you by.
Where does the time go
Time passes so quickly, where does it all go?
I live in a silver mine
I live a life of wealth.
And I call it beggers tomb
Despite my riches, I feel poor inside.
I've got me a violin
Music is my source of solace.
And I beg you call the tune
I request that you play the music I desire.
Anybody's choice
It's up to anyone to decide.
I can hear your voice
Your words are heard and respected.
How does the song go
What exactly is the story behind this song?
Got some things to talk about
I have some important things I need to share with you.
By the riverside
Next to the flowing river.
He's come to take his children home
He's here to guide his family back to safety.
Come on along or go alone
It's up to you to decide if you want company or not.
Brother
Hey there, friend.
Ain't no time to hate
There's no time for negativity or grudges.
Sister
Hello, my dear friend.
Got some things to talk about
I have important things to discuss with you.
Here beside the rising tide
Right here, as the water level is increasing.
Playing to the tide
Playing music in unison with the ocean's rhythm.
He's come to take his children home
He's come to bring the family back to safety.
Come on along or go alone
Join me for the journey or do it independently.
Whoa what I want to know
My inquisitive nature wants some answers.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Smith
Oh my God, I love this version of this song so much I can't even put it into words. I brings back memory upon memory while it also inspires new visions and dreams. And in case you are wondering, I haven't dropped acid in over 20 years.
smokeyhaze1000
acid...lol ive done my share ..and my friends too he didn't like it..mushrooms are cleaner and more mello
Peter Filardo
Great cover of what is arguably the Dead's greatest song
Mike Mitchell
I used to take this CD to work and listen to it... and it was stolen twice at two different offices, years apart. I don't approve of theft, but at least the thieves had good taste! Yeah... I can laugh about it now. :-)
ambassadorportal
wow wow wow -- one of my favorite Dead songs (since the album first came out) and they made it new ... yet another reason to love Indigo Girls wow wow
Monkey Buns
I could never ever ever get tired of hearing this song for you girls and your band thank you so very much
Wendy Blakeley
Everyday before school I always get a rush of anxiety and when I get anxiety I get painful stomach aches and to calm me down my dad plays this song for me and it always makes my stress go away
Mike Mitchell
Story from a guy I know: It was the 1970s and he was 19, hitchhiking in California and got a ride from some long-haired guy in an expensive convertible. They rapped for a while and the guy mentioned that there was a "happening" down on the beach and asked him if he wanted to go, so he said "Sure!" They drive to a fairly remote part of one of the beaches (he told me which, but I don't remember) and the guy told him to go on down the hill. He could see a few people down there, so he got out of the car, picked his way down the hill to the sand, and then saw that there was a small "cave" or outcropping in the side of the hill... and when he got down there, suddenly he heard, "...come hear, Uncle John's Band..." coming out of the cave! The Dead were performing an unadvertised, impromptu concert "playing by the tide." :-) He said he won't admit now to what substances he consumed that day, but that he did have a lot of fun and spent about a week enjoying the company of some ladies in a van just camped out on the beach.
Bristol Blue
Superb version 👍
Ron hulka
Best Dead cover compilation forever.