Reply #2: Hi, p-b! I forgot that I was gonna tell a Dead story with this thread. [View All]

[Heidi]

So, I'll tell it here.

My favorite Dead song is "Me and My Uncle," because back when I was a journalist, I kept a small office above a law office. The attorney's roommate, who came to be one of my dearest friends ever, was a paving contractor, and he'd often come stompin' upstairs to my office, carrying his guitar and a six-pack of beer, and serenade me with Dead songs. "Me and My Uncle" is the first Grateful Dead song Bob played for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_tsRAadTmE

Me and my uncle went riding down
South Colorado, West Texas bound
We stopped over in Santa Fe
That being the point just about half way
And you know it was the hottest part of the day

I took the horses up to the stall
Went to the bar-room, ordered drinks for all
Three days in the saddle, you know my body hurt
It being summer, I took off my shirt
And I tried to wash off some of that dusty dirt

West Texas cowboys, they's all around
With liquor and money, they're loaded down
So soon after pay day, you know it seemed a shame
You know my uncle, he starts a friendly game
Hi-lo jacks and the winner take the hand

My uncle starts winning, cowboys got sore
One of them called him, and then two more
Accused him of cheating, well no it couldn't be
I know my uncle, he's as honest as me
And I'm as honest as a Denver man can be

One of them cowboys, he starts to draw
Well I shot him down, Lord, he never saw
Shot me another, hot damn he won't grow old
In the confusion my uncle grabbed the gold
And we high-tailed it down to Mexico

Now I love those cowboys, I love their gold
I love my uncle, God rest his soul
Taught me good, Lord, taught me all I know
Taught me so well, I grabbed that gold
And I left his dead ass there by the side of the road