Jerry Garcia Band employs many of the same elements and similar style to the Grateful Dead, such as rock influenced by blues, folk, country, and jazz.
Over the years, the lineup of the Jerry Garcia Band changed a number of times. The one constant member besides Garcia himself was bassist John Kahn. Melvin Seals had the next longest tenure, serving as keyboardist from 1980 onward. Seals became band leader following Garcia's death and changed the band's name to JGB.
The Harder They Come
Jerry Garcia Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Songwriters: Jimmy Cliff
They tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
The day that you're born to when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
As sure as the sun will shine
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The officers are tryin' to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
Though they think they've got the battle won
I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done"
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead, you can't
Rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
As the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
They tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
The day that you're born to when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
Then the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The officers are tryin' to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
Though they think they've got the battle won
I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done"
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
And I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead, you can't
I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
You know, the harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The song "The Harder They Come" is a powerful protest song written by Jamaican reggae artist Jimmy Cliff. The song's opening lines, "They tell me of a pie up in the sky, Waiting for me when I die," suggest that the government and the church are misleading the people about their prospects in life. The song also alludes to the struggle of the poor and oppressed people who are looking for a fair share of the world's resources. The song's repeated refrain, "The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all," suggests that those who oppress the poor and vulnerable will not triumph in the end.
The song's lyrics also address the struggle of one person against the system. The singer looks at the officers and the government who are trying to keep him down and drive him underground. Despite all this opposition, he remains resolute and keeps on fighting for his rights. He chooses to "rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave." The song has a powerful message of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
Overall, "The Harder They Come" is a powerful protest song with a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was first recorded in 1972.
Line by Line Meaning
They tell me of a pie up in the sky
People speak of an imaginary reward that is unattainable
Waiting for me when I die
This reward is believed to be only available after death
The day that you're born to when you die
This expectation is instilled in people from birth to death
They never seem to hear even your cry
The people who push these beliefs never hear the cries of the oppressed
As sure as the sun will shine
It's a guaranteed fact
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
I will take what I deserve
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the defeat will be
The officers are tryin' to keep me down
Authorities are trying to suppress me
Trying to drive me underground
They are pushing me to the margins
Though they think they've got the battle won
They believe they are victorious
I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done"
I have the humility to seek forgiveness on their behalf
I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
I will continue to fight for my desires
Though I know that when you're dead, you can't
I understand that time is limited and I must act fast to achieve my goals
Rather be a free man in my grave
I would rather die as a free person who fought for their beliefs
Than living as a puppet or a slave
I would rather die than live under someone else's control
Then the sun will shine
Once this is achieved
And I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
I will continue to pursue my desires
You know, the harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the defeat will be for all involved
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the defeat will be for all involved
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the defeat will be for all involved
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the defeat will be for all involved
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rocknrollson9440
They tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
The day that you're born to when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The officers are tryin' to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
Though they think they've got the battle won
I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done"
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead, you can't
Rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
As the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
They tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
The day that you're born to when you die
They never seem to hear even your cry
Then the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The officers are tryin' to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
Though they think they've got the battle won
I say, "Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they've done"
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
And I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead, you can't
I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave
As sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share of what's mine
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
You know, the harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
Harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
The harder they come, harder they'll fall, one and all
@tomhogan7647
Many times I had a better time at jerry shows than the dead. Jerry was in complete command and the different tunes made for a different experience .
@davidpaul5465
A Yes Sir, To That! Of all the bands formed by members of the Dead the JGB was tops. The only other one of contention was for percussion fans, The Rythm Devils.
@freakypete8421
oh jerry. you came to scotland to play for us 81. will always remember how much joy it was.
@stephansteohanlarsen7457
Or Make it better rastafari Tucson Arizona Sonoran desert 🏜️🌵 yes I keep on keeping on Africa we are all African 🍄🔥🍄🐟🍄🌉🍄🇺🇲🍄🇪🇹🍄🌍🍄🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🍄🍄🍄
@dylnthmsn420
Imagine how many more of these gems a 77 year old Jerry would have dropped? Grateful AF!!!
@rperkins723
Exactly! But think big smiles for John Mayer's efforts!
@teddyedwards9705
Yes sir but that is another reason to keep listening :)
@stephanlarsen8169
Hard to believe but I man believe Jah herb Jah love Jah Jerry Jah rastafari Tucson Arizona Sonoran desert 🏜🍄🐻🌵🦁🌍🇧🇴🌵🇺🇸🇺🇸🌍
@timothyransay3777
Thank you for posting God Bless you and your family and Friends
@rjmoney9
I’m convinced Béla could play with anyone, any style, and find a way to make the music sound better.
That is a bigger sign of a master than any technical chop