Terrapin station lyrics

Artist  : Grateful dead 
Song : Terrapin station
 
Terrapin station - lady with a fan

Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme,
suggesting rhythm,
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told
and done.
While the firelight’s aglow, strange shadows from
the flames will grow,
Till things we’ve never seen will seem familiar.

Shadows of a sailor, forming winds both foul and
fair all swarm.
Down in carlisle, he loved a lady many years
ago.
Here beside him stands a man, a soldier from the
looks of him,
Who came through many fights, but lost at love.

While the story teller speaks, a door within the
fire creaks;
Suddenly flies open, and a girl is standing
there.
Eyes alight, with glowing hair, all that fancy
paints as fair,
She takes her fan and throws it, in the lion’s
den.

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk
uncertain pains of hell? 
I will not forgive you if you will not take the
chance.
The sailor gave at least a try, the soldier being
much too wise,
Strategy was his strength, and not disaster.

The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly
leapt at him.
That’s how it stands today. you decide if he was
wise.
The story teller makes no choice. soon you will
not hear his voice.
His job is to shed light, and not to master.

Since the end is never told, we pay the teller
off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought
or sold.

Terrapin station

Inspiration, move me brightly. light the song
with sense and color;
Hold away despair, more than this I will not
ask.
Faced with mysteries dark and vast, statements
just seem vain at last.
Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to
terrapin.

Counting stars by candlelight, all are dim but
one is bright;
The spiral light of venus, rising first and
shining best,
On, from the northwest corner, of a brand new
crescent moon,
While crickets and cicadas sing, a rare and
different tune,
Terrapin station.

In the shadow of the moon, terrapin station.
And I know we’ll get there soon, terrapin
station.
I can’t figure out, terrapin, if it’s the end or
beginning, terrapin,
But the train’s put it’s brakes on, terrapin,
And the whistle is screaming, terrapin.

Terrapin station - at the siding

While you were gone, these faces filled with
darkness.
The obvious was hidden. with nothing to believe
in,

Sullen wings of fortune beat like rain.
You’re back in terrapin for good or ill again,
for good or ill again.