Out it was a symbol for unlucky love I could only hum to myself 'lovers come and go, the river roll, roll, rolls.' In my exploration of the ancient Norse runes I have been learning quite a bit about sacred woods and tree lore. The Broke-down Palace was the name that some bums gave toĪ dilapitated warehouse, where they all resided.Īlso, the title of a 1986 science fiction novel by Steven Brust, published by Ace. The word originated in Steinbeck's Cannery Row, published 1945. That you and the readers of the sight might be interested to know that Reference to a 1986 science-fiction book by the same name. I noticed in your comments of the Dead's 'Broke-down Palace', you made a Mischievious bear - which he acted out by romping around the stage. Of one of his works, but rather a children's story about a lovable, Kesey went on to shock the English facultyīy placing a purple velvet top-hat on his head and reading, not a portion But at that moment I realized that art was really this Moment that he really understood what art was. Palace.' Kesey recounted with tears in his eyes that it wasn't until that Kesey said that sometimeĭuring the second set, the whole band turned to him (he was sitting in aīalcony seat, or was close to the stage.) and began playing 'Broke-down He commented that not long after his son's death, he was invited to see theĭead play a gig somewhere on the West Coast. Great lengths to discuss his struggle with grief following this tragedy. Wrestling team's van drove off a cliff during snow storm. One which I remember in particular was when wasĭiscussing the death of his son. Though his discussion was somewhat confused and disjointed, he had many Hearing Ken Kesey give a talk and reading (this was about 5 years ago). When I was a student at the University of Virginia, I had the fortune of I've got a little story about 'Broke-down Palace' that you might Most song lists, it is given without the hyphen: 'Brokedown Palace.' The title is given as Hunter indicated in Box of Rain. Was also performed for the first time in this show. 'Broke-down Palace'Īppeared in the number six spot in the first (acoustic) set, following the first 'Ripple'Īnd preceding the first 'Operator.' 'Truckin'' (The film aired on VH-1 on April 16, 1997.)Ĭovered by Henry Kaiser on Eternity Blue.įirst performance: August 18, 1970, at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. According to an interview with Hunter in a documentary film by Jeremy Marre, 'Broke-down Palace,' 'Ripple' and 'To Lay Me Down' were all composed in one afternoon, over a half-bottle of retsina. Lovers come and go - the river roll roll roll On the banks green edge it will grow grow grow In my time - in my time - I will roll roll roll On my hands and my knees I will roll roll roll Words by Robert Hunter music by Jerry GarciaĬopyright Ice Nine Publishing used by permission. You will need to enter the following to view the pages: If you would like to see what I saw I have posted some images on the web page below. With familiar lyrics from a Grateful Dead song written in black marker, it struck a chord visually expressing the loss of so many. As I looked at the memorials set up in Union Square Park I came across a guitar left behind. There is a palpable sense of loss that finds its way into the air we breathe in NYC. You can find the rest of the lyrics here.The Annotated 'Broke-down Palace' 'Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul' The Annotated 'Broke-down Palace'ġ997-1998 Research Associate, Music Department, University of California, Santa CruzĬopyright notice © 1995-2001, David DoddĪs I walked around Union Square Park, NYC in the rain yesterday morning, I could feel the sorrow and hurt of so many who have been there these last two weeks.

Lovers come and go – the river roll roll rollįare you well, fare you well I love you more than words can tell Goin home, goin home by the waterside I will rest my bones Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul This Grateful Dead funeral-appropriate song, “Brokedown Palace,” speaks to the many emotions in all of us. Some music is straightforward, while other is more subtle or subliminal - sometimes, we can’t quite point to the specific feeling music touches.īut we all know a particular song or composition that speaks precisely to an emotion in us. We use it to heal and to express rage and love. We use music to inspire, mourn, remember, signify and symbolize the life of another as we cope with death. It soothes those dealing with grief and serves as a soundtrack to life and death.

Music expresses an endless amount of human emotion.

Brokedown palace grateful dead