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.
Let It Rock
Jerry Garcia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Working on the railroad with the steel driving hammer
Gotta make some money to buy some brand new shoes
Trying to find somebody to take away these blues
"She don't love me" hear them singing in the sun
Payday's coming and my work is all done
Later in the evening when the sun is sinking low
Sitting in a tepee built right on the tracks
Rolling them bones until the foreman comes back
Pick up you belongings boys and scatter about
We've got an off-schedule train comin' two miles about
Everybody's trembling and running around
Picking up their money, tearing the tepee down
Foreman wants a penny about to go insane
Trying to get the workers out the way of the train
Engineer blowing the whistle loud and long
Can't stop the train, gotta let it roll on
The lyrics to Jerry Garcia's song "Let It Rock" tell the story of a railroad worker who is trying to make enough money to buy some new shoes and find someone to help take away his blues. The first verse paints a picture of the worker's physical labor, hammering away on the railroad, while the second verse focuses on his downtime, spent waiting for payday and playing games with his fellow workers. However, the tone of the song takes a turn in the final verse as an off-schedule train comes barreling down the tracks, causing chaos and panic among the workers. Despite their efforts to clear the way, they are unable to stop the train and must "let it roll on."
The lyrics of "Let It Rock" are an interesting commentary on the harsh realities of blue-collar work and the struggle to make ends meet. The worker in the song is depicted as someone who is not in control of his own life, but rather at the mercy of his job and the whims of the railroad. The song also touches on the themes of desperation and futility, as the workers are ultimately helpless in the face of the oncoming train.
Overall, "Let It Rock" is a gritty and powerful song that showcases Jerry Garcia's storytelling abilities and his talent for bringing characters to life through his lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Well up in the evening down in Mobile, Alabama
In the evening, in Mobile, Alabama.
Working on the railroad with the steel driving hammer
Working hard on the railroad with a steel hammer.
Gotta make some money to buy some brand new shoes
Need to earn money for new footwear.
Trying to find somebody to take away these blues
Looking for someone to help end some sadness.
"She don't love me" hear them singing in the sun
People singing about being unloved in the sunshine.
Payday's coming and my work is all done
Work is completed as payday approaches.
Later in the evening when the sun is sinking low
Later in the evening, as the sun sets.
All day I been waiting for the whistle to blow
Been waiting all day for a signal to stop working.
Sitting in a tepee built right on the tracks
Relaxing in a tent situated on the railroad.
Rolling them bones until the foreman comes back
Gambling while waiting for the boss to return.
Pick up you belongings boys and scatter about
Collect personal belongings and depart quickly.
We've got an off-schedule train comin' two miles about
Train not on schedule approaching from two miles away.
Everybody's trembling and running around
People are scared and running away.
Picking up their money, tearing the tepee down
Gathering their belongings and dismantling the tent.
Foreman wants a penny about to go insane
Boss demanding payment and losing control.
Trying to get the workers out the way of the train
Attempting to move workers from the train's path.
Engineer blowing the whistle loud and long
Train operator sounding the warning signal.
Can't stop the train, gotta let it roll on
Unable to halt the train, must allow it to continue.
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: E Anderson, Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1mth3gr1m3
Well up in the evening down in Mobile, Alabama
Working on the railroad with the steel driving hammer
Gotta make some money to buy some brand new shoes
Trying to find somebody to take away these blues
"She don't love me" hear them singing in the sun
Payday's coming and my work is all done
Later in the evening when the sun is sinking low
All day I been waiting for the whistle to blow
Sitting in a tepee built right on the tracks
Rolling them bones until the foreman comes back
Pick up you belongings boys and scatter about
We've got an off-schedule train comin' two miles about
Everybody's trembling and running around
Picking up their money, tearing the tepee down
Foreman wants a penny about to go insane
Trying to get the workers out the way of the train
Engineer blowing the whistle loud and long
Can't stop the train, gotta let it roll on
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Way up in the evening down in Mobile Alabama
Working on the railroad with the steel driving hammer
Gotta make some money to buy some brand new shoes
Tryin' to find somebody to take away these blues
"She don't love me" hear them singing in the sun
Payday's coming and my work is all done
Later in the evening when the sun is sinking low
All day I been waiting for the whistle to blow
Sitting in a tee pee built right on the tracks
Rolling them bones until the foreman comes back
Pick up your belongings boys and scatter about
We've got an off-schedule train comin' two miles out
Everybody's scrambling, and a running around
Picking up their money, tearing the tee pee down
Foreman wants to panic, 'bout to go insane
Trying to get the workers out the way of the train
Engineer blow the whistle loud and long
Can't stop the train, gotta let it roll on
@harvesterofstorms4932
This is one of my favorite "It's Friday and I just got off work" songs.
@benlichtman8033
Same here
@dalegreenbear8475
Man I used to go to this pub that had a shitty jukebox but for some reason they had this album. I used LOVE to crank this up and watch the party get rowdier when this wound come on. Nobody knew who they were listening to
@ralphemerson1654
Great story. Sounds like a nice time.
@benringenberg6265
That's a cool story. To a head the sound of Jerry's voice would be instant recognition.
@jcmorrison5487
You gave those peeps the gift of music & they’re better for it.
@ryangibbs6786
Haha that’s great
@taylorparrinello4274
Holy shit lol I've heard this song so many times but this version just blew me away. I'm convinced he just makes magic happen.
@maybeioverreacted4504
He was a magusician
@daskitten1
We can thank John Kahn for the arrangement &
rhythmic feel...