Tough Mama
Jerry Garcia Band Lyrics

Tough Mama, meat shaking on your bones
A confident and strong woman, who has her own appeal.

I'm gonna take you down to the river and get you stoned.
I'll take you to a calm place where you can relax and have peace and quiet.

Papa's on the highway with that steel driving crew
Her father is away working hard on the road.

Sister's in the big house her working days are through
Her sister is in prison and can no longer work.

Tough Mama, can I blow a little smoke on you?
May I offer you a bit of comfort amidst your struggles?

Dark Beauty, Won't you move it on over and make some room?
A request for her to give some space and let someone else in her life.

It's my duty to bring you down to the field where the flowers bloom.
It's my responsibility to bring you to a peaceful and happy place.

Ashes in the furnace, dust on the rise,
Difficult and trying times have passed, but there are still struggles to come.

You came through it all the way, flyin' through the skies.
You've survived those tough times, and have been able to rise above it all.

Dark Beauty With that long night's journey in your eyes.
She has experienced a lot of hardship, and it's visible on her face.

Sweet Goddess, born of a blinding light and a changing wind,
A divine and powerful woman who has the ability to change things.

Now, don't be modest, you know who you are and where you've been.
A reminder to be confident and proud of oneself.

Jack the Cowboy went up north He's buried in your past.
A reference to romantic relationships that have ended in the singer's past.

The Lone Wolf went out drinking That was over pretty fast.
Some relationships don't last long, and are not meant to be serious.

Sweet Goddess Your perfect stranger's comin' in at last.
A new love interest is coming into her life and will be a good fit.

Silver Angel, with the badge of the lonesome road sewed in your sleeve,
A reference to a woman who has faced hardship in her life and has the scars to prove it.

I'd be grateful if this golden ring you would receive.
An offering of love and commitment.

Today on the Countryside it was a-hotter than a crotch, I stood alone upon the ridge And all I did was watch.
The singer is in a tough place, and is feeling helpless about it all.

Sweet Goddess It must be time to carve another Notch.
It's time to make another change.

I'm crestfallen, the world of illusion is at my door,
The artist is feeling defeated, and is seeing the world for what it truly is.

I ain't haulin' any of my lambs to the marketplace anymore.
I'm not going to play by society's rules anymore.

The prison walls are crumblin', there is no end in sight,
The artist is feeling trapped, and is uncertain about when it will end.

I've gained some recognition but I lost my appetite.
The singer has found success, but it hasn't brought the satisfaction they thought it would.

Dark Beauty Meet me at the border late tonight.
Let's run away from our problems together.