I Know You Rider
TheGrateful Dead Lyrics
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I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone
Gonna miss your baby, from rolling in your arms
Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest
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
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
TheGrateful Dead's song 'I Know You Rider' has been performed and reimagined by countless musicians since its original release in the early 1960s. At a surface level, the song presents a simple and catchy refrain: "I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone." It's a song about heartbreak and longing - the singer is leaving their lover and knows they will be missed deeply. The second verse provides a glimpse into the singer's current mental state - "Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest / My mind was wandering like the wild geese in the west." Here, the singer is unable to find peace or rest and is consumed by their thoughts.
The chorus repeats twice more, and the third verse offers some hope - "The sun will shine in my back door someday / March winds will blow all my troubles away." The singer acknowledges that their troubles won't last forever and that there will be brighter days ahead. The final verse offers a glimmer of escapism - "I wish I was a headlight, on a north bound train / I'd shine my light through cool Colorado rain." Here, the singer imagines themselves as a headlight, moving through the world with direction and clarity. Overall, 'I Know You Rider' is a poignant and relatable song about love, loss, and searching for hope in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone
The persona is aware that the recipient will feel sorrow when they are gone, indicating a strong bond between them.
Gonna miss your baby, from rolling in your arms
The person acknowledges that the recipient will miss physical contact and interaction with them.
Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest
The persona experienced restlessness or anxiety, impaired their ability to sleep peacefully.
My mind was wandering like the wild geese in the west
The persona's thoughts were scattered, implying that they were preoccupied with multiple ideas or dilemmas.
The sun will shine in my back door someday
The person anticipates a brighter future, full of positive and optimistic possibilities.
March winds will blow all my troubles away
The persona believes that time will heal their emotional wounds by slowly eroding their accumulated troubles and hardships.
I wish I was a headlight, on a north bound train
The persona desires to be a source of illumination and guidance for others in their journey through life.
I'd shine my light through cool Colorado rain
The person would not be deterred by challenges or obstacles, but rather persevere and provide hope for others in difficult situations.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL KREUTZMANN, BOB WEIR, JERRY GARCIA, MICHAEL HART, PHILIP LESH, ROBERT HUNTER, RONALD MCKERNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tropicwave1
I Know You Rider (Live in Paris 1972 Remaster)
Grateful Dead
Album: Europe '72 (Live)
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
Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest
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
Written by Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Michael Hart, Philip Lesh, Robert Hunter, Ronald Mckernan • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group
℗ 1972 Warner Records Inc.
@forrestgunt668
when i was little, my college-age parents always had the dead playing loud in our house. this album dropped on my 3rd birthday and was played thru my whole childhood. I saw them live for first time at Red Rock in Colorado July, 1982. I'm truly blessed that my folks shared their music with me. I didn't used to listen to them much myself as an adult, but now at age 48 I'm completely enthralled and hardly want to listen to anything else.
@itisamystery
Forrest Gunt I feel ya bro, my dad always played them on cassette while we rode around in his ‘89 Ford Ranger with no A/C in Texas summers. The songs spark many memories !
@joecharles7081
First time I've ever heard this song and love it, wish I'd known it years ago. I'm 58.
@darkjanggo
parents always played this when i was young, too. at 17, grateful dead is a staple in my music listening!
@MechanicalPigg
@@joecharles7081 really wow that's actually pretty crazy to think Im happy you got to hear it tho
@detonator2112
Absolutely fantastic! I've always been a casual Dead fan (since the 90's) but only lately I've discovered how much amazing material they actually have.
@tylerfortney1628
A friend of mine died today. He was the biggest fan of the dead I’ve ever met I’ve known him for ten years r.i.p. homie
@epluribusunum1460
I am sorry for your loss. I didn’t know him, but I am thinking of him as I listen to the Dead today.
It’s just a box of rain, I don’t know who put it there.
Believe it if you need it, or leave it if you dare.
It’s just a box of rain, or a ribbon for your hair,
such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
You were lucky to have known your friend.
@izacclogue1276
I miss you . I'll get up and fly away greatfull dead , listen we are greatfull dead
@michaelnienaber8263
Sorry for your loss man.