I Know You Rider
The Dead Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

The Dead's song "I Know You Rider" is a traditional folk song that has been covered by numerous artists, including Joan Baez and Janis Joplin. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that their lover will miss them when they're gone, and that they'll miss their mother rolling in their arms. The next verse suggests that the singer's baby loves them, as evidenced by the way they hold them in a circle. The third verse departs from the love story, as the singer lays down to rest but can't quiet their mind, which wanders like wild geese in the west.


As the song continues, the singer seeks better care and a place where they feel more welcome, and declares that life isn't worth living if they're not with the one they love. The final verse is optimistic, with the singer expressing hope that the sun will shine on them and that the wind will blow away their blues. The song ends with the singer declaring that loving their partner is easy, but that they won't be their dog.


The lyrics of "I Know You Rider" suggest a sense of longing, restlessness, and a longing for connection. The image of the wind blowing away the singer's blues and the sun shining in their back door suggests hope for the future, but also a recognition of the challenges that might come with finding love and a place to call home. The repeated refrain of "I know you rider" underscores the idea that the singer's lover will miss them, and suggests a sense of inevitability or inevitability in the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I know you rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone
I am aware that you will feel my absence once I leave


You gonna miss your mama from rolling in your arms
You will miss the comfort and warmth of holding someone close


Well I know my baby he's bound to love me some
I am confident that my lover cares deeply for me


He throws his arms around me like a circle round the sun
My partner embraces me wholeheartedly and completely


I laid down and I tried to take my rest
I attempted to rest and relax


but my mind it just kept wandering like some wild geese in the west
However, my thoughts could not stop drifting aimlessly like migrating birds


I'm going down the road where I get better care
I am leaving for a place where I will be taken care of properly


I believe I'll go babe, I just don't feel welcome here
I feel unwelcome in my current situation and have decided to depart


Just as sure as the bird fly in the sky above
The fact that the birds fly is as certain as my love for you


Life ain't worth living if you ain't with the man you love
Life loses its value if one is not with the person they love


The sun's gonna shine in my back door some day
Someday things will get better for me


The wind's gonna rise and blow my blues away
My feelings of sadness and sorrow will dissipate


To love you baby, it's easy as falling off a log
Loving you is effortless and comes naturally


Wanna be your baby but I sure won't be your dog
I want to be your partner, not your subordinate or servant




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Hart, Robert Hunter, Philip Lesh, DP, Jerome J. Garcia, Keith R. Richard Godchaux, William Kreutzmann, Ronald Charles Mckernan, Robert Hall Weir

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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.



All comments from YouTube:

@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.

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