‘Rain’ is this week’s theme for Song Lyric Sunday, hosted by Helen at This Thing Called Life One Word At A Time. Ideally, I think she would like something upbeat and fun.

Sorry about that.

For happy songs about rain, I could steer you towards ‘Singin’ In The Rain’, of course, and ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head’, if that’s not to much of a stretch, Not really my thing though.

Whereas this is. I toyed with the possibility of James Taylor’s ‘FIre and Rain’ but it’s quite well known, so I make no apologies for featuring the Grateful Dead again although, unlike last week, this isn’t a cover version but a product of the long-term collaboration between Bob Weir and John Barlow. More a gloomy weather forecast than the prospect of something in which to splash around joyfully, but it’s a lovely song nevertheless.

I woke today…
And felt your side of bed
The covers were still warm where you’d been layin’.
You were gone…
My heart was filled with dread.
You might not be sleepin’ here again

It’s alright, ’cause I love you.
And that’s not gonna change.
Run me round, make me hurt again and again.
But I’ll still sing you love songs
Written in the letters of your name.
And brave the storm to come,
For it surely looks like rain.

Did you ever waken to the sound
Of street cats makin’ love
And guess from their cries
You were listenin’ to a fight?
Well, you know…
Hate’s just the last thing they’re thinkin’ of.
They’re only trying to make it through the night.

I only want to hold you.
I don’t want to tie you down.
Or fence you in the lines
I might have drawn.
It’s just that I’ve gotten used to
Havin’ you around.
My landscape would be empty
If you were gone.

Written by John Barlow

Lyrics found at The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics

THis being the Grateful Dead, of course, there are lots – and I do mean lots – of different versions. However, on their 1972 European tour, they typically played it very slowly, with Jerry on pedal steel guitar. This isn’t, for me at any rate, the all-time greatest version (that would be Newcastle 11 April 1972 if you’re interested – which I can pretty well guarantee you aren’t), but it’s not far off.

Song Lyric Sunday 16 April 2017