Phil continues to tour the country, and often releases digital soundboards of shows for free to keep the community spirit that the Dead created alive and allow the fans access to the music, because as Jerry Garcia once said, once it's out there, it's yours.
Phil received a liver transplant in 1998, and usually includes in his shows a "Donor Rap" encouraging others to become organ donors.
His current lineup as of September 2007 includes:
Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, fiddle)
Jackie Greene (vocals and guitar)
Steve Molitz (keyboards)
John Molo (drums)
I Know You Rider
Phil Lesh & Friends Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
I know you, rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
Gonna miss your baby
From rolling in your arms
Laid down last night
Laid down last night
Lord, I could not take my rest
My mind was wandering
Like the wild geese in the West
The sun will shine
In my back door someday
The sun will shine
In my back door someday
March winds will blow
All my troubles away
I wish I was a headlight
On a north-bound train
I wish I was a headlight
On a north-bound train
I'd shine my light
Through cool Colorado rain
I know you, rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
I know you, rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
Gonna miss your baby
From rolling in your arms
I know you, rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
I know you, rider
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
Gonna miss your baby
From rolling in your arms
"I Know You Rider" is a traditional folk song that has been covered by many artists, but Phil Lesh & Friends's version has become particularly well-known. The song is a love ballad where the singer expresses their love for a special someone. The song begins with the singer saying that they know their lover will miss them when they are gone. They will miss being held in their arms and the intimacy they shared. The singer then reflects on a sleepless night, where their thoughts were wandering like the wild geese in the West. The next verse brings hope, where the singer believes that the sun will shine in their back door someday and that the March winds will blow away their troubles. The song's final verse is the singer expressing a desire to be a headlight on a northbound train and shining their light through the cool Colorado rain. The song ends with the singer repeating the opening lines, expressing once again how much their lover will miss them when they are gone.
The song's origins are unclear, but it is believed to have originated as a traditional African American tune. The song has been covered by many musicians, including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. There have been several variations of the song, including some that change the gender of the singer's lover. The Grateful Dead version of the song often included a reference to China Cat Sunflower, another Grateful Dead song, leading to a popular pairing of the two songs in live performances.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you, rider
I am familiar with you, my love interest
Gonna miss me when I'm gone
You will lament my absence after my departure
Gonna miss your baby
You will yearn for your partner
From rolling in your arms
From sharing physical intimacy
Laid down last night
I went to bed yesterday
Lord, I could not take my rest
However, I could not sleep
My mind was wandering
My thoughts were scattered
Like the wild geese in the West
Similar to the free and unpredictable birds of the western skies
The sun will shine
A brighter future awaits
In my back door someday
One day, good fortune will come to me
March winds will blow
Difficulties will eventually pass
All my troubles away
And my problems will disappear
I wish I was a headlight
I dream of being a guiding light
On a north-bound train
On a journey towards progress and growth
I'd shine my light
I would illuminate the path forward
Through cool Colorado rain
Even in difficult and uncertain times
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Dudock
Oh my