‘I Know You Rider’ is a traditional American folk song, although for me it’s unbreakably associated with the Grateful Dead, for whom it was a live-performance staple, almost always linked with ‘China Cat Sunflower’ in the ‘China>Rider’ diptych.
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.
Traditional
I read that this was the first song that Phil Lesh rehearsed with the band after he joined.
Good song and good jammin by the guys.