Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station: Terrapin Station Lyrics






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,
From the northwest corner
of a brand-new crescent moon
crickets and cicadas sing
a rare and different tune

Terrapin Station
in the shadow of the moon
Terrapin Station
and I know we'll be there soon

Terrapin - I can't figure out
Terrapin - if it's an end or the beginning
Terrapin - but the train's got its brakes on
and the whistle is screaming: TERRAPIN





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Grateful Dead Terrapin Station: Terrapin Station Comments
  1. p.... d....

    Magical

  2. M.... O....

    Terrific stuff. Any urantians out there??

  3. A.... M....

    Probably my very favorite song of all time. So powerful.

  4. J.... T....

    Everytime i hear this i just want to cry. A beautiful masterpiece, long live the Dead

  5. J.... Q....

    Almost too painful to listen

    J.... Q....

    Josiah Quincy please elaborate

    J.... Q....

    @The Ghost Fish Moore can easily see ..the origins of stained glasses church windows, in the colors of the sunset seen thru the crossing branches of the forest

    J.... Q....

    @The Ghost Fish Moore you know, lost love and time.
    .. regards

  6. S.... C....

    Jerry was an absolute genius, Thank you for all the memories!!!

    S.... C....

    RIP Jerry, Going to see Bob in march if all pans out!!!

  7. R.... C....

    Is it just me or does this have the potential of bring Progressive Rock’s best epic? Like Genesis, Suppers Ready but different

  8. S.... ....

    Please put the ads before the the song not in mid tune!

  9. 1.... ....

    Crickets and cicadas

  10. J.... G....

    miss you emily

  11. F.... K....

    This isn't music, it's torture!

    F.... K....

    right? every person that commented here is high as hell. this song is so weird

  12. E.... ....

    Love the solo in this song

  13. F.... ....

    The compass always points to Terrapin

  14. D.... ....

    These turtles are dancing in this video, right?

  15. d.... f....

    dead to the core. what music. pranksters not gangsters

  16. b.... ....

    How in the world does Jerry play so fast in the section starting at 12:15?

    Oh wait. . . Because he’s Jerry that’s why

  17. s.... 2....

    What kind of greedy asshole puts an ad in the middle of a Dead song? Not cool dude.

  18. T.... M....

    I always knew of the Dead, a couple popular songs that were radio played etc..."Truckin" etc.....but I never really discovered them , their AMAZING unique greatness, until THIS album came out..THAT was when I knew, that I was forever ......a "DEAD HEAD".....

  19. R.... B....

    It's about ... a fan? ... a Sailor? ... Crickets? ... a choo choo train? ... Gold? ... Inspiration? ... the Moon? ... Venus? ... WTF is it about ??
    It's about T U R T L E S. Just turtles. U gotta find the theme and OWN IT. Do YOU know anyone who can even hum or whistle this song ?? 'Cause u can't.

  20. K.... S....

    A Rare And Different Tune 😎

  21. W.... A....

    An ad at 10minutes is just fucked

  22. j.... j....

    Buddha bless to the kind sir who wrote the lyrics.

  23. B.... ....

    Pretty sure I wore a groove into this song on the vinyl copy I owned many moons ago.

  24. W.... ....

    Robert Hunter was an incredible lyricist and poet and will be missed greatly.

  25. J.... P....

    Rip to my brother a true GD head most of his 46 years see ya at Terrapin when I get there pick me up in your spaceship when I arrive I’ll miss you and love a forever love you Travis love jill

  26. F.... P....

    ⚡💀✌😁

  27. J.... W....

    i just wanted to say the last ime i listened to this song i was major alcoholic , ive been clean since november, and i dont wanna go back. drugs/alcohol are too crazy.

    J.... W....

    hang in there brother..

  28. e.... a....

    got this l.p. at a wise ole age of eleven , spent my adolescence burning 'em up with this az one of the foundation tracks in my rotation , peac3 , all , davis

  29. s.... ....

    I want to live in a world where turtles play tambourines on train station platforms

  30. t.... G....

    Thank you for eternity Robert Hunter...rip

  31. J.... P....

    Gorgeous

  32. E.... ....

    Dont worry, your civilisastion will soon be gone. There is nothing you can do. Those who rule you only care for themselves so will lie to you as you die. This music is the ..........................................

  33. D.... T....

    Best Song Ever

  34. A.... ....

    Reminds me of The Waterboys

  35. C.... ....

    This song is 16 minutes of amazing (and free) therapy.

  36. P.... P....

    This is what got me hooked. Amazing album.

  37. K.... B....

    For all those who know the rare and different tunes of the crickets and cicadas.

  38. O.... M....

    Beautiful tune... one of the greatest....

  39. M.... C....

    I want to listen to this while on Ketamine

  40. D.... S....

    GD!!! Yes!! Thanks luv 💋✝️🥰🌹👑💋

  41. F.... L....

    I'm in the process of getting obsessed with this song.. feels good!

  42. s.... K....

    R.I.P. Robert Hunter!!

  43. S.... J....

    Ethereal like a firefly lit warm summer dusk

  44. M.... ....

    RIP Robert Hunter. Thanks for the great imagery

  45. R.... H....

    I love the Grateful Dead there's not been no other band ever since I found the dead my life has never been the same thank God I love the Grateful Dead I will miss Robert Hunter along with the rest of them they Wright beautiful music

  46. A.... K....

    RIP Robert Hunter. You are already missed

  47. M.... N....

    Rip Robert Hunter!!!!

    Inspiration... Move me brightly!!!!!!!!

  48. M.... ....

    RIP Robert Hunter. 6/23/41 - 9/23/19

  49. D.... D....

    One of Robert Hunter’s best. Missing him tonight. Thank you for letting your songs fill the air. Rest In Peace sir.

  50. T.... M....

    RIP Robert Hunter

  51. L.... ....

    R.I.P Robert Hunter, and thank you for what are quite possibly the greatest lyrics of pure imagination ever to put in a song. A lyrical masterpiece and my utmost favorite song of all time. 💀 ❤️🌙⭐️✨‼️ “spiral light of venus, rising first and shining best. Oh from the north west corner of a brand new crescent moon...” Forever goosebumped!!

  52. D.... C....

    The compass always points to Terrapin.

  53. M.... S....

    RIP Robert Hunter. One of my favorite Lyrics he wrote on this song. "Counting starts by Candlelight. All are dim but one is bright".

    M.... S....

    Mine toooooooo

  54. B.... K....

    RIP Robert Hunter

  55. A.... S....

    Thank you Hunter

  56. g.... y....

    RIP Robert Hunter you will be missed

  57. A.... H....

    I understand that music taste is "subjective" but I can't fathom how anyone can not like this

  58. J.... Q....

    Speaks to my life ..

  59. R.... R....

    LSD FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS

  60. K.... O....

    Grateful Dead and bloody Marys share the same place in my heart


    I want to like them and I always try them but I'm not a fan


    However there is the occassional bloody Ill really like and then there's Terrapin Station and RIpple

  61. a.... ....

    The songs length multiplied by the golden ratio ~0.618 is about the 10:05 mark give or take a couple seconds. And sure enough 10:00-10:10 seems to be the climax, or PHI MOMENT. So trippy.

  62. w.... l....

    my sweet girlfriend has kept 2 diamondback terrapins in her apt for over 40 years. She saved them from being made into fish soup at a fish store here in NYC.

  63. F.... S....

    No words to say,just listem and feel

  64. J.... N....

    i remember seeing the dead back in the day at msg performing terrapin i still get chills thinking about it!

  65. G.... M....

    Hands down my favorite DEAD song. But... I've always felt the studio version lacks the punch that the 2nd half of the tune deserves. So, here is my found gift to you all. My favorite version... you just got to give the taper a minute to get the 'ears right'. Track 16. https://archive.org/details/gd77-04-27.sbd.samaritano.20331.sbefail.shnf/gd1977-04-27d3t03.shn

  66. W.... ....

    Robert Hunter is my favorite lyricist. Hands down. He's amazing. This song takes me back to the magical times of childhood in the 80s.

    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 firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow,
    Till things weve 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 lions 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 she'd 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 well get there soon, terrapin station.
    I can't figure out, terrapin, if it's the end or beginning, terrapin,
    But the trains 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.
    Youre back in terrapin for good or I'll again, for good or I'll again.

  67. c.... c....

    Never understand the draw to this band maybe cause I'm not a hippie this is only song I even care to hear

  68. M.... C....

    An album for the rest of time, this is The masterpice of dead, to compare with acts like Pink Floyd. The lecacy of great jerry and his men

  69. M.... B....

    Beautiful

  70. B.... B....

    That solo from 12:29 on sounds crazy Jerry went nuts on it Just imagine how fast his fingers were going, incredible.

  71. E.... L....

    ridiculous cymbals just insane

  72. C.... ....

    Is the backround moving forreal forreal, i mean like its moving for me but like normally

  73. D.... J....

    Mushrooms, mushroom 🍄 tea, weed and this song. Perfect 👌. 1985. 😉

  74. C.... J....

    What an ending...Ludwig, are you listening from above?

  75. S.... J....

    This is the music I want to be played in heaven

  76. G.... B....

    I always heard it as "Tolkien" rhyme.. which is lovely

  77. A.... D....

    One thought: "Are you fucking kidding me, or what?" Lol, I love the breakdown where Jerry's guitar is erupting!!! Off the charts : o

  78. T.... B....

    Best Grateful Dead song ever!

  79. B.... K....

    I don’t think any other band could go from Turn On Your Love Light, to this.

    B.... K....

    Doesn’t even sound like the same band. Such a wide style of amazing music.

  80. A.... L....

    I love the ambiguity. It means something different to so many people.

  81. M.... ....

    I enjoy the music of the Dead.. in moderation. But THIS ! This is a progressive rock masterpiece !

  82. M.... B....

    Inspiration move me brightly ❤️

  83. L.... C....

    What a long strange poem it is...

  84. A.... F....

    This is the most beautiful and mesmerizing display of music and light that I have had the honor to experience.. 😌🙌🌈🌻❤️

  85. D.... S....

    So amazing and ahead of their time. TIMELESS. Love it.

  86. M.... A....

    Happy birthday 2019 Jerry. You are missed a great deal my friend ⚡️💀🌹

  87. I.... Y....

    I think it's about heaven

  88. R.... C....

    Live version is better. Also I read somewhere something about this song and Wharf Rat being the only two songs that they wrote the music to the lyrics or was it the lyrics to the music?

  89. l.... ....

    Man, 10:10 is something else

  90. B.... B....

    Never gets old 🐢

  91. K.... R....

    At A Siding and Flyer are great. I wish they played those parts live too. the whole suite is a masterpiece. They band hated the orchestral arrangements but I think they hold up pretty well. They aren't that extra cheesy string sound you would hear in the 60-70s (mantovani?). They're actually well composed and recorded.
    It's a shame they never recorded another song suite, or conceptual piece. I love the whole Terrapin mythology too, I would love to have explored it more. everyone rips on studio dead but I see it as a snapshot of where the band was when they created it. The songs obviously grew and stretched out on stage but it's nice to hear the original, pure form and whatever recording studio methods were fashionable at the time.

  92. H.... ....

    Got this one from the Columbia Record Club in the 70s! Endlessly listenable.

  93. J.... M....

    At about 11.03 is when Terrapin Flyer starts. They tried this one time live but had to stop because its too much on the drummers. https://www.whitegum.com/introjs.htm?/songfile/TERFLYER.HTM

  94. J.... D....

    My dad loved the Grateful Dead. He went to all of their concerts and wrote books about them. Even met them personally. Just as I began to share that love with him, he passed away. This song connects me through him in spirit and I know he would have been proud of me.

    J.... D....

    I imagine it meant the world to him the first time you smiled when you figured out the GD. More than this I will not ask / Faced with mysteries dark and vast

  95. p.... o....

    I remember back in time hanging with buds at someone's party house. This album played over and over the entire night and I loved every minute I was coherent. Beautiful masterpiece.

  96. S.... ....

    Some rise, some fall, some climb..

  97. A.... L....

    see how lucky we are