One of its founders, Garcia performed with the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career (1965–1995). Garcia also founded and participated in a variety of side projects, including the Saunders–Garcia Band (with longtime friend Merl Saunders), the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, the Garcia/Grisman acoustic duo, Legion of Mary, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage (which Garcia co-founded with John Dawson and David Nelson). He also released several solo albums, and contributed to a number of albums by other artists over the years as a session musician. He was well known for his distinctive guitar playing and was ranked 46th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" cover story.
Later in life, Garcia was sometimes ill because of his diabetes, and in 1986 went into a diabetic coma that nearly cost him his life. Although his overall health improved somewhat after that, he also struggled with heroin and cocaine addictions, and was staying in a California drug rehabilitation facility when he died of a heart attack in August 1995.
I Shall Be Released
Jerry Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shinin'
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shinin'
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Now yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he's not to blame
And all day long I hear him shouting so loud
Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shinin'
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
The Jerry Garcia Band's rendition of I Shall Be Released is a poignant rendition of the Bob Dylan original. The lyrics explore the idea that even though everything and everyone can be replaced, there are certain things that we hold onto forever. The distance of time is not a barrier as we remember every face of every man who put us here. The pain of past actions and the people who wronged us is a reminder that we should not forget. The idea that we can forgive and forget, or that we can let go of the past, is a flawed concept as certain memories and scars stay with us forever.
The second verse touches upon the idea that every man needs protection, and every man must fall. It is a fact of life that we will all face hardships and fall at some point in our lives, but we must learn to get back up and keep going. The singer of the song sees his reflection somewhere above the wall that he is confined behind, a wall that represents his pain and suffering. There is always hope for redemption and forgiveness, even if we feel trapped and alone.
The final verse introduces a man in the crowd who swears he is not to blame. He cries out that he was framed, which adds another layer to the song's interpretation. It speaks to the injustice that some people face in life and the struggle for them to be seen as innocent. The powerful message of the song is that any day now, the singer will be released from his pain and suffering, but it is never as simple as just walking away. The lyrics explore themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the acknowledgment of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everything can be replaced
People say that anything can be switched out for something else
They say every distance is not near
People say that even if two things seem far apart, they are not necessarily distant
So I remember every face
I recall the face of every person who has caused me harm or pain
Of every man who put me here
I remember the faces of every person who has contributed to my current state or situation
I see my light come shinin'
I sense that my circumstances may be changing for the better
From the west down to the east
My positive change may come from anywhere on the horizon
Any day now, any day now
It could happen at any moment
I shall be released
I will be set free or relieved of my troubles
They say every man needs protection
People say that everyone requires some form of protection or defense
They say that every man must fall
People say that everyone will eventually experience defeat or failure
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Even though I've been beaten down, I still see my own strength and potential
Somewhere so high above this wall
My strength and potential seem inaccessible, as if they are beyond the constraints of my current situation
Now yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
In this isolated and hopeless environment, there is a man who stands out
A man who swears he's not to blame
This man denies responsibility for his own situation, just like I do
And all day long I hear him shouting so loud
He is constantly protesting his innocence, like I protest my own unfair treatment
Just crying out that he was framed
He asserts that he has been set up or unjustly blamed, like I feel I have been too
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jerrythomas1161
My dad told me to play this at his funeral. He named me after Jerry.
@causethedevilmademedoit1435
Thats harsh, I'm a metalhead/punk married a deadhead didn't really get into them until after divorce. One day I was like damn really wanna hear some blues for Allah lol 10+yrs of downloading every live show I could find for wife got everything note from ratdog to Garcia band stuck in my head and I am glad for it
@kenlinke6834
My family has instructions to play To lay me down
@stephanlarsen8169
So awesome thanks for sharing. Yes it makes me cry. So beautiful.mom was swedish. Strangely she requested a few classic song Verdi spring Grieg Bach Jesus Joy of Man's desiring.. and strangely. Amazing Grace. At my dad's Wake I gave a speech. Van Morrison. Bob Marley coming in from the Cold. And yes this.. this was in San Rafael. Jah Jerry Jah Herb from Tucson Arizona Sonoran 🏜️ desert 🍄🌵🇯🇲🇺🇸
@joshedson1742
@@kenlinke6834 I’m playing this at my funeral for sure, along with lay me down.
@heynow01
Funerals funerals, I just play it when ever I want to, mostly I catch myself humming it for no damn reason.
@MarkBennett007
He doesn’t over complicate the vocal..... just straight to the heart of it.
@STRATCAT101
When times are hard and you just want to throw you're hands up and give up.This song gives you the faith and the strength to go on. It's a very inspirational song.
@MaileyMcAslan
Wow, 11 years ago. And then there was 2022. ✌️ ya’ll, stay strong.
@theyungboss123
Its not even about being high. Jerry's music reslly heals the soul. Perhaps you have never caught the wind of it...... He loved making music.... and we love listening to his music.... When two passions meet, paradise is created. Long Live Jerry!