The Story of "Ripple" by the Grateful Dead

Story of the song "Ripple" by the grateful dead
Interviews with Phil Lesh, Jerry Garcia and more...!
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[@heyevad]

I like the quote from Jerry in this clip: "Working in the studio is like building a ship in a bottle. Playing live is like being on a rowboat in the ocean."

[@zymmer4]

grateful dead were a live band that did studio records too.

[@Seispieles]

@@zymmer4 really? :O

[@ivansbacon]

"And i say row, jimmy row Gonna get there, i don't know Seems a common way to go Get down and row, row, row, row ,row"

[@jonathan5825]

the story is so beautiful Robert Hunter stayed back in his hotel room in London while the rest of the guys went out on the town. He drank a bottle of wine and wrote this along with a few other songs. The next day he read over the song and realized his life hit its peak because he would never be able to write a better song. he tells the story so beautifuly.

[@Dijahtal_Arts_Not_Digital_Arts]

Jonathan Meyers Yet he went on to write Black Muddy Waters

[@nabooster]

I've seen that interview and that's what I was looking for to no avail. The line Robert Hunter says as I remember in that interview that really gets me is, "Oh would that those days would come again - Oh, they will, but not for me".

[@JoshuaMichael1122]

@@Dijahtal_Arts_Not_Digital_Artsummm..

[@Frisbieinstein]

@@nabooster How bittersweet. The man had a way with words.

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

The deads most perfect flawless song ???? Maybe

[@littleredjetta1]

"if I knew the way I would take you home" the sweetest most warming lyric. We are all lost and need to be brought home. Sweetest song ever. Warming and loving. We are all together lost and waiting to be found

[@neanderpaul14]

Phil mentions a goosebump lyric, to me it's a goosebump song. Love it. RIP Jerry. We love you always.

[@sirgonzog748]

Very goosebumpy even though i heard it for the first time a couple months ago

[@matthewbyrom5394]

A dead heads fate were all waiting never ending dead show Jerry n the others for us all to join

[@paigeherrin29]

100% agree! And rolling into Brokedown Palace is the best 10 minute mental health therapy on the planet.

[@Pressplay_Media_EU]

they are goosebump band..

[@LEAHPORTER7689]

R.I.P Phil lesh

[@DuDaMan69]

I remember they played Ripple at the end of the show “Freaks and Geeks” when that girl decided to skip out on some college thing and go on road with the Dead. I was in the height of my addiction then, and now I’m clean, and the song has even more meaning. God bless 🙏✌️💯

[@estrellablancaynegra6673]

Freaks and geeks is an outstanding show

[@gregames4843]

In that same episode they played Box of Rain - that was my intro the Dead!

[@jtirri8842]

Goosebumps indeed. This is a holy song, in my opinion. It is a hymn for the lost agnostics, whether Bob and Jerry knew it or not. It is an honest, humble refusal to accept nihilism. He loves us, and He wants to take us home, even when we don't know how to worship. Hint: You don't need to know how, or be gifted with the gold of sunshine. Let there be songs to fill the air!

[@Endicott875]

We don't need to know how to worship. Out of all the religions we don't have it right. Maybe a little. But from what I was "blessed" to see after I died for some time is that its just amazing, and there is no comparison we can make on this planet. And from what I gathered there is no fire, it's just dark for some. I seen some amazing things and didn't want to go back. That's the jist of it. Other than that we have to do better for each other because we are all the same even the little creatures we share the earth with. I can go on and on but I'll leave it at that.

[@zaxthedestroyer675]

I lost my father at the end of November and shortly after I discovered this song. It's helped me through the grieving process and gives me comfort. Grateful Dead is one of his favorite groups and I've enjoyed listening to their music now as well

[@robfrancis8690]

I love almost every one of their songs, but ripple pulls on my heart strings the most. Wow, what a sublime example of musical tones that resonate with the souls' universally accepted delight.

[@dublinboyo]

"A ship in a bottle v. a rowboat on the ocean." Brillant. RIP Jerry. God bless ya.

[@jayjaynella4539]

2 months ago I heard the rendition of this by Playing for Change and loved their video and the music the way they interpreted the song. Been playing for several times a day. How did I miss this back in the 80s? Great great song.

[@deaddoc]

Every time I hear this song, wherever I am it stops me in my tracks. And I wish could see all you wonderful people again. The other GD song that goes with this for me is Brokedown Palace. Used to work at their shows as HAFMC volunteer. Miss those days... I'm so far down such a strange, empty road, and my momma's gone. But it helps to see you here.

[@carycrediford7036]

Ripple will be played at my funeral. Hopefully many years from now.

[@lorihamlin3604]

I’ve left notation on my end of life papers that Ripple be played at memorial. No time soon I hope!

[@neilfox3208]

same also sisters and brothers

[@christianavakian9936]

Me too

[@RonaidCoghlan]

​@@christianavakian9936Me too!

[@bobschenkel7921]

I was at the Cap Center in Landover, Maryland on 9/3/88 when the Grateful Dead played the one and only Electric version of "Ripple" for a Wish Come True cancer patient. It was the most amazing feeling I have ever had with music. I thought the arena was going to lift right off the ground with all the emotions running through he crowd. I walked around the parking lot for three hours after that show saying "Did I really just see that?" to myself, over and over. It was moments like that, that made us all go on the road to see the Grateful Dead, you just never knew what might happen.

[@terripriest3937]

I've been a dead head since I was a teen, I'm now 59, this song has always spoken to me, it feels like life to me💙💚💛🧡💜❤

[@JoeZyra]

Saw my first show 11-30 and 12--1 1979 at the Stanley theater in PITTSBURGH Pa. I've been an avid fan of the band till this day. LLGD.

[@MrYoualredyknow]

I can't help but close my eyes....Sends chills through my body. Absolutely beautiful.

[@simplechronology2605]

This is from the DVD "Anthem to Beauty", which is an excellent documentary from 1998-ish. All the surviving members, including Hunter, give some great interviews, and the music clips are good. One of the more insightful docs on the Dead out there, covering 1968-1970. Definitely worth seeking out the whole thing.

[@sesa2984]

Thank you. Was wondering. I'll look for it. My fiancée and I just came from a retreat at a Buddhist monastery and are now squatting in a borrowed nice apartment in Longueilles Quebec for a few days and the grateful dead us our preferred traveling music. Or anything music really. A friend once saud to me "Sometimes nothing else will do." And he was right. First camping trip to tge White mountains my fiancée and I ever took, we forgot cds and the radio cuts out at altitude. I looked in tge glove box of my jeep and happened to have two cds. American Beauty and Fleetwood mac rumours. It set a tone for sure and now both those put us on vacation mode instantly. Box of rain (my favorite dead song) starts up, and I exhale and relaxinstantly. Peace.

[@kevinthompson410]

I own this DVD. It was in a discount bin at Wal-Mart for $2.99. It used to air on PBS or whatever the free TV channel is in your area.

[@jillmiller9605]

“He’s Gone” 25 years today and is so very missed especially during these daze. So lucky to have been at the live show at Radio City when they performed this tune. RIPple Jerry. ☮️

[@louisminati]

my father, he cant stand the dead whatsoever. never could. but he loves this song. speaks volumes

[@jmcc199]

Sorta same - my Mom couldnt believe this "country band" was the Evil Dark Hard Metal Grateful Dead

[@andibowe6890]

I have watched the Dead at the Water Park concert in Sacramento play the colors of the sunset

[@SpudTev]

Hunter wrote Ripple , To Lay Me Down and Brokedown Palace in The Same Day ! Hows that for a Magical Day :-)

[@jonlund5545]

SpudTev wasn't he in a motel room somewhere in Europe and he had a bottle of wine and little else inspiration and through the night until sunup he wrote those 4 classics i believe operater being the other song but I'm not completely sure about the last one

[@grizzlybear4]

SpudTev ohhh YES.

[@mikehoncho5658]

I’m pretty sure the inspiration came from a bible verse that hunter and jerry came across together that day , I believe it was in the book of psalms

[@ephjay6t87]

First time I heard this it gave me goose bumps. Still does

[@TheSamBufe]

ahhhhh I secretly wish that they had included Grisman's added mandolin stuff.

[@bobstarr62]

The only way was to hear it live

[@dailydriver55]

Bob Starr THANK YOU

[@steveraymerx7750]

dailydriver55

[@johnhurley7205]

Sam Bufe well maybe not so secretly?? Lol well I not def wish they would have .. no secret involved!

[@bluegrassboy7544]

Phil didn't like Grisman he really didn't like to many though.

[@tonifrancis2189]

Hunter's lyrics, Jerry's music. Grisman mandolin. Perfect synergies.

[@blmrgtr]

synergies, yea... and those parts work together good too.

[@Sound8VisionVibe]

Is that a joke?

[@m6a6t6t2]

the pizza tapes

[@ColonPal]

Toni Francis “Let there be songs to fill the air!”

[@thegreatpotatokitty8196]

this song completly changed for me when my best friend took his own life. the lyics "if i knew the way i would take you home" aswell as "that path is for your steps alone" have taken on a new meaning. its beautiful how so many can relate to the same song for many different reasons. rip Simon A.

[@leelane9929]

To me this song is like a journey to heaven with a message of love to the ones left behind.

[@09jackstraw]

Everytime I hear Jerry speak, I'm amazed at his intelligence and articulateness.

[@scottorton482]

From the best album they ever made. I know this album AMERICAN BEAUTY by heart. Its the first Dead album I fell in love with and I played it all the time in those days. Still love it to this day. The whole album is fantastic from start to finish. WELL DONE BOYS, WELL DONE AND THANK YOU FOR IT.

[@helpwantedfilms]

Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane playing a ball game. Why cant we have good times like that anymore?

[@troy9477]

I discovered the Dead my first year of college about, probably 1991, with this album. Ripple is still my favorite song of theirs. Wonderful lyrics and melody. Deep meaning. I would never have gone to their concerts, not my scene. But i can always appreciate good music.

[@steve-ph9yg]

I was in 7th grade 1970 the Workmen’s Dead Album was recently released my friends older brothers and sister were young would be hippie Deadheads. My music selections expanded greatly, around 81 I met a bunch of college students that were more hard core Deadheads they really introduced me to the vast volume of recordings of the Dead.

[@adamf.4823]

Dose Troy.

[@crlguitar1]

Great song....LOVE mandolin with guitars....so fine...

[@jeffthepoet7]

one of my favorite songs by Grateful Dead

[@ryanmorrissey4087]

Definitely one of my favorite lyrics in the entire Dead catalogue: You who choose to lead must follow But if you fall, you fall alone If you should stand, then who's to guide you? If I knew the way, I would take you home.

[@cesarbriones2419]

Whoever posted this, THANK YOU!!!!!

[@JimyJak]

I really like this! Remember: you're either on the bus or off the bus. I got off it once...Gee but it's good to be back home!!!!

[@autumnruns]

I love love this song. I performed it over the weekend on my ukulele and it was fun to get people to sing along with the end.

[@walterrussell7584]

Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty If your cup is full, may it be again

[@Wombat32]

First song I learned to play on the guitar. Still my favorite warmup. Inevitably someone will hear it during the soundcheck and ask me to play it for real. Often that person will have never heard it, or if they have, they had no idea it was the Dead. I like to think I've created more than a few Deadheads in the past 25 or 30 years.

[@jwarwin2323]

This song is overwhelmingly beautiful

[@hotajax]

I miss Jerry so much. The world is a lot emptier without him.

[@blue-fj9ky]

Five years after your comment I feel the same way.

[@alexweimann6695]

My favorite song. Hits me right in the feelings every time I here it.

[@pretorious700]

This is a very transportive song

[@blue-fj9ky]

Fantastic thanks for posting! Phil is very articulate.

[@workingmansdead44-ug8hl]

one of the most beautiful songs ever written,musicaly and lyricaly.

[@timcantrell9673]

He sings in my heart

[@robbiestone4630]

"You can't just manufacture intensity." Love it.

[@Lasercrew420]

Very cool! Many thanx for sharing this. Nothing left to do but Smile, Smile, Smile! Peace

[@hendrixsun9372]

Will always be my favorite song. I always play it to my kids. Well did. They are a little busy on their own mandolins, violins and guitars and banjos. Walking away from the fountain of man every step. They friendebed me till I saw them. Immediate hippie forever

[@anilkapahi8788]

Am I missing something here? Hardly a mention of Robert Hunter, the lyricist. Everything about the American Beauty album says classic but the lyrics really need to be singled out as some of the best ever. From Ripple: "There is a road, no simple highway, Between the dawn and dark of night, And if you go no one may follow, The path is for your steps alone

[@captntripz8045]

anil kapahi Awesome lyric and I totally agree! For what it's worth the line is "THAT path", not "THE" : )

[@anilkapahi8788]

Warren Gang Of course. "That" makes much more sense. Thanks for the correction. Lately I've been listening to Gentle On My Mind. Another oldie with some fine lyrics.

[@bluefidle]

Just love evrything about that song from the first time I heard it. Awesome for me.

[@michaeldematteis3409]

This is just a little clip from an old documentary.Robert Hunter is in the Vidio quit a bit.I bought it when just getting into the dead didn't know much a bout them thought he was in the band.lol

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

I agree ..the band was great...with Hunters lyrics... ah.....uhh...they....uh..,,,(unable to effectively relate a concept of mind blowing proportions}

[@gregscavuzzo5457]

I got to see Jerry at The Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin Texas several times, he was always wonderful, The Dead played there also , my favorite Dead show was at Manor Downs in Austin Texas around 1976 , it was a wonderful cool night and they came out cooking , great night

[@zymmer4]

Jery was a Master Of Music...whatever he played..

[@kennewicksheri]

always interested in back stories..... a lil of the history, the creation process.... this is marvelous.. Thank you ....

[@TheAyeAye1]

Holy Lord. When the Dead were on there was no one better.

[@bandit7519]

One of my favorite song this song is a all time classic great song

[@MeherabadMoments]

Beautiful poetry and beautiful song.

[@tblends]

one of the best songs ever written/recorded.

[@jimdelton1767]

This came on the SiriusXM radio while I was driving xcountry and I replayed it for nearly an hour. A near perfect song.. maybe with the alternative mandolin it would be perfect 😄

[@RealDireWolf]

such an amazing song with jerrys voice just bringing it home long live the dead

[@Enjoythepour]

This is so awesome. It’s my all time favorite song. ❤️ you guys!!

[@RIGHTNOW108]

Damn, I love this song, but it's so much better with more mandolin.

[@gk-bl6yu]

Nah, sorry, I think it's too much

[@donnalloyd3034]

Gotta say, The Grateful Dead 50 reunion.Fair Thee Well Show,Is sonethin we never thought would happen, & to have Tret Agastino playing with the band ,representing Jerry, What a Night it will be... Not all of us Dead Heads can make the trip to Chicago. But i'm sure it will be a night of full on throw down, the way only the Dead can,One Long Jam... Im one of those who cant afford this trip, so for now all i can hope for is a LIVE STREAM.. on July 4th...Peace ya'll!! We all know , What A Long Strange Trip It Has Been! God Bless THE GRATEFUL DEAD !!!

[@donnalloyd3034]

Love the song, absolutley one of my favorite Dead song's Now even more now that i've heard the story behind it!!

[@edwardskrod]

Well said Donna. I sent in my money orders for all three nights. I painted my envelope. I got a hotel. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a miracle.

[@hermenutic]

I won't be there. I last saw the Dead at Darrien Lake in August 2004. They closed the show with Ripple. It was a moving spiritual experience. Warren Haynes played for Jerry that night and he did a magnificent job.

[@paulkneissler273]

no jerry no dead period they can call it 50 yr dead thing once again no jerry no dead , i will not be caught dead at this

[@edwardskrod]

Do what you like Paul. Cheers

[@dianareynolds8003]

The most beautiful song I've ever heard

[@007KrausBean]

One of my favorite tracks.

[@jimrebr]

I love Jerry Garcia and I will until I die, that’s funny to hear that the Grateful Dead scared the people at Warners, I loved them from age 10 on, I really loved them from 14-15 on, American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead were illuminating albums and I have been a Deadhead ever since. I took my husband to his first Dead concert at Winterland in July 1978, it was a nonnegotiable thing for me, either he got the GD or we probably wouldn’t still be together, he got the Dead, duh…💀💀💀🥰❣️✌️

[@tomknoblauch5164]

goosebumps indeed. tearful joy.

[@SeanShea-RumiSongs]

cool video about the story behind one of our favorite Grateful Dead songs

[@markoblazney6360]

Nicely done, thanks loads.

[@bobrobert8708]

Takes me back to my youth livin on the Russian River North of San Francisco. Once caught part of their show outside somewhere don't remember where just somewhere. The 60's you know (smile).

[@mcdooby1]

this just made my day ty so much 4 posting it

[@Cinderella999-l5r]

A very beautiful song. ..period

[@SPGRAMPA1]

My first concert ever was Jerry garcias 50th bday at Ventura play grounds!Im 42 now i think i was like 14,maybe 16 yrs old at the time.My dead head cuzin frm Santa barbara took me.Some of the greatest times in my life.Long live the Dead!

[@Chibblechabble]

Beautiful. Gives me hope. Peace and empathy.

[@RonBaker456]

American Beauty is one of my top five favorite albums in any genre. Deep and beautiful, like the Dead and the culture that followed them. This video is shorter than the tune (most nights). LOL I absolutely LOVE this song and love to play and sing it. Simple yet genius.

[@DJshnooks]

I am so sorry for your loss, my friend. I currently have 2 dogs (my first 2 ever), and they are my world. I got Jack, my Lhasa-poo in 2008, when my Father passed away from cancer. He carries the same exact personality as my Father did, its strange. My other puppy, Lilly, a terrier-dachshund mix, I rescued while living down in Myrtle Beach, SC, after my fiancé left me and I loss my job, eventually having to move back home to NY. IDK what i'd do without them...God bless you and Berkelley! :-)

[@robertparduhn2452]

A very beautiful spiritual song, Robert Hunter tapped into scripture and the universe and made it timeless.

[@andibowe6890]

This is my song!!!

[@graciasholmes8346]

His analogy for studio vs playing live - Ship in a bottle and a row boat on the ocean - genius.

[@peterttoppi]

Still missing you Jerry

[@gregoir]

peter toppi AMEN BRO!

[@gregoir]

When he passed I was in Italy with my Navy command we were there for a month and a half and I had no way to mourn him like I would have liked to :-( got made fun of because I was upset.

[@demit189]

@@gregoir that sucks. Rip Jerry :(

[@brainphelps1994]

i wish they had let Grishman come in earlier

[@clarkewi]

Such a great song.

[@smartalek180]

This is my very favorite musical prayer. I heard that Jerry didn't like playing it at shows much, supposedly bcs it was sacred music to him, & he didn't want to cheapen it by profligate use... (I know I can't listen to it as background music; I have to stop & LISTEN, or turn it off) Anyone know if there's any truth at all to that, or just another internet urban myth?

[@wisedyes]

Let it be known, there is a fountain, that was not made by the hands of man. John 7.38

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@wisedyes robert hunter wrote in the bible too? I didnt know lol

[@wisedyes]

@@lastnamefirst4035 Once in a while you get shown the light.

[@billder999]

Wow... that instantly brought tears to my eyes. Barkley must have been a great freind, sorry he is gone.

[@andibowe6890]

In 75 @ University of Hawaii Hilo Music School, this song was sung to me a capella. The singer left his classroom to come and take my hand &, looking down into my eyes, sang this song. As I walked away, I stretched out my hand & the Source Family stopped and gave me a ride back to their bakery, handing me a big paper bag of fresh picked papaya...

[@andibowe6890]

I was already living the song, living on faith in the islands where every day was filled with music and love and miracles.

[@goat165]

Just ❤️

[@KarlKrogmann]

Just about everything you need to know about being a human being is contained in this song.

[@susanwagner2343]

Love this ..

[@musicandcoffee2853]

Seen them many times. It was always a wonderful journey ⚡️💀🌹

[@murphy2034]

what a great song the best one ever done by anyone

[@samfischer6162]

My bullmastiff puppy, Axl (we named him that because his nose looked like it was dipped in axl greese) recently died. He was 8 months old. He felt like more of a family member than a pet. I know how hard losing pets is :(

[@conjandysecurity]

I bet you still miss him.

[@TyDreams]

Love this

[@kingacobra1]

Certainly one of the songs that influenced me towards doing my poetry and music.

[@MrMondrian33]

The tracks called "Ripple" fromthe album "American Beauty" by the Grateful Dead. The footage comes from a TV series called Classic Albums. I don't know whether it is availiable on DVD or not. In England they are often shown on BBC Four or Sky Arts1.

[@marylandria]

love this

[@pdubhood]

Wow! the mandolin with David Grisman is awesome!

[@Klurpaderp]

Some of the greatest humans ❤❤

[@venniey]

Thank you Thank you Thank you.

[@tarheel387]

"that path is for your steps alone"

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

There wasn't a dry eye at my husband's funeral when I had this played during the service. .... sigh....

[@jhwygirl]

I am sorry for your loss.

[@davidhall8333]

Luck guy to have had a wife so cool to play such a beautiful song to remember a special person

[@AaronApplegateLLC]

Loved how Phil choked up. And I wished the original mandolin track was included in the mix. Jerry and the jug band lives on in these songs. Love the interview with Jerry at 3:33

[@bluegillphil1427]

My first live concert was at the Fillmore East in 1967 & of course it was the Dead

[@vincentanguoni8938]

Bluegill Phil 67 was my first concert also...stones....would rather have been at the Fillmore. 1967 ...you must be gettin on!!!

[@michaeldematteis3409]

I had this on vhs.think it was called anthem to beauty.wish I had it on DVD now