wharf rat lyrics meaning

Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee. There is a lot more history to this poetic narrative than what it seems. Save Image. Thanks to Ed Abahoonie and Mike Scheier for pointing this out I spent doin’ time for some other fucker’s crime No one interacts with them, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t be allowed to interact with people and do everyday things. The way I hear this is Pearly is no longer with August, and probably hasn’t been with him for a very long time. See what Shashi (shashi_athadu1) has discovered on Pinterest, the world's biggest collection of ideas. As I understand it, this song’s narrative resides on three levels. the grateful dead. We learn that he is in tragic shape. At some point I think this moment of cheering became a ritual of sorts, and ended up not really signifying anything other than the ritual pleasure of group repetition. More than my wine. I’d come to no good, I knew I would Pearly, believe them Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. Guitars and bass interweaving , the rich sound of an organ and expressive words make Wharf Rat a . And of course a great work of art for it. the grateful dead. The participatory experience this song invites it audience into is deeply self-reflective. The song dates back to the 1930's and was sung by King Radio. #1 Purley Baker was an alcohol prohibitionist from FAYETTE county Ohio he led the Anti-Saloon league and was a Methodist minister. I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. The meaning as originally intended is but one iteration of possible meanings. What song Grateful dead hit starts with my brother? I’ll get a new start, live the life I should esau. If so, it is disconnected with the narrative of the song. that's where the name comes from. My name is august west, … Adelaide Welcomes Simple Smart Travel With Launch Of First. I’ll get up and fly away, He passed away in 2008. I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. What is the grateful dead song cassidy about? August loves Pearly even more than he loves his wine, and certainly more than his maker – God. Mother’s insistence that the girl never speak to wharf-rat boys is due to their criminal activity and low social status. I think this is the mark of a true poet. This change according to August, will only happen if God wills it to happen. Meaning of Whareumu. If it is gone, his life is utterly meaningless. Book Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central In Brisbane Hotels Com . Wharf Rat Lyrics: Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city / Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee / I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story What does Whareumu mean? General CommentWharf = dock/pier; Rat: as in someone always hanging around; referring to the old man mentioned. (In the 90’s this “underground” movement surfaced and became strangely mainstream.). August’s desperation thickens as he expresses his belief that Pearly has been true to him. The other half found me stumbling around drunk on Burgundy wine. Who performed the song wharf rat? My name is august west, and I love my pearly baker best more than my wine. wharf rat - someone who lives near wharves and lives by pilfering from ships or warehouses. Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee. Don’t have an account? I love that you can add your lived experience of the performance of this song. My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine. ( Log Out /  Yet she is the only one that connects him to human society. August to this point has been sad, reflective, and relatively honest. Grateful Dead – Wharf Rat Lyrics. The meaning as originally intended is but one iteration of possible meanings. This first is from 1971 (raw and bare bones) and the second from 1977 (slower with different feel and more improvising). What song Grateful dead hit starts with my brother? Wharf rat definition is - brown rat. Save Image. He holds on to this vain hope desperately as if his life depends upon it, but it is a lie. Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart August understands God to be against him, perhaps blaming God for his current state. Meaning of wharfage dues. 2. wharf rat - … dead … Asus2 Em Asus2 More than my wine, More than my maker, though he's no friend of mine. Wharf rat lyrics meaning keyword after analyzing the system lists the list of keywords related and the list of websites with related content, in addition you can see … I have never been quite sure how to understand “I knew I would Pearly, believe them.” Is he suggesting that Pearl also knew he was headed for desperate times, or is he pleading with her mid-thought in some way? Just as they did with Native Americans in this day and age. I know she’s been, I’m sure she’s been true to me. I said to him A safe place for everyone who's Dead to the core. He himself may be homeless and without a job. Wharf Rat [Live At Fillmore East, NY, April 26, 1971] Lyrics as written by Robert Hunter Jerry Garcia. The Wharf Rats began during the early 1980s as a group of Deadheads under the name "The Wharf Rat Group of Alcoholics Anonymous". The song continues, My name is August West, Their name came from the song of the same name which was written by Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter of the iconic jam band The Grateful Dead. Bonnie Lee provides the same lifeline to the narrator that Pearly provides to August. The narrator, like August, also has a “girl” – Bonnie Lee. Grateful Dead Merch - Adults, Kids & Babies. What does wharf-rats mean? (noun) Named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl’s been true to me Predominantly recovering alcoholics and or drug abusers. If you do you can feel some on the tragic pathos embedded within the music. Difficulty: beginner. Taken from the name of a kind of brown rat, a wharf-rat is someone who loiters around ship-loading docks with the intent of stealing from ships, containers, or warehouses. The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. See more. 2: a person who loafs or sometimes lives around wharves sometimes with intent to steal from ships or warehouses What does wharfage dues mean? Many of them, like the narrator had “nowhere to go but just hang around.” Many of them also had no money. esau. In 2000, Adams left Whiskeytown and released his debut solo album, Heartbreaker, to critical acclaim.The album was nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. It is not a feel-good experience, but one that threatens to uproot all the lies that keep the night at bay. Definition of Whareumu in the Definitions.net dictionary. Em D Asus2 I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. Yes, my poor friend, maybe you are the wharf rat? The old man’s name is August West, and we learn he is an alcoholic. August next tells the narrator that “everyone” predicted that his life would turn out badly. music.gdead, reprinted by permission of its author: The Annotated "Comes a Time" A subsequent posting by John Tenney to rec. The wharf is silent and black, and motionless lie the the ships; The ebb-tide sucks at the piles with its cold and slimy lips; And down through the tortuous lane a sailor comes singing along, And a girl in the Gallipagos isles is the burden of his song. 23.3k members in the grateful_dead community. The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com. I said to him, “I’m sure she’s been true to you”. And suppose I woke up but I eyes seems want me to say relax. At stake is life itself – does being alive mean anything at all? Alan Sherman recorded a version of the song in 1962. Maybe we all are?). that's where the name comes from. We will find out that there are also other personal reasons for our narrator’s reassurance. The narrator meant to give a little time to a bum on the docks, and goes away experiencing a significant existential crisis. The lyrics relate the sad story of a brokendown old man begging on the . I did want to discuss here before making a major edit. I said to him, “I’m sure she’s been” edeadshop.com/Grateful/Grateful/ He blames this on “some other fucker.” Is he really a victim, or is he diverting the blame from himself? As the 70’s turned into the 80’, this movement continued in an more underground form associated with the Grateful Dead. My name is August West. Rather he goes to merely “hang around.” It might be recalled that at the beginning of the song, the narrator responds to August’s request for a dime by saying, “I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story.” Here we learn two things about the narrator – his has no money, but has an abundance of time. pilferer, sneak thief, snitcher - a thief who steals without using violence. Wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around. He knew “everyone” had it right and he’s pleading with Pearly to listen to them and get away from him for her own sake. Everyone said The same desperation driving August to his need to believe in Pearly’s fidelity drives also the narrator to believe Bonnie Lee’s. The song invited the audience into a participatory experience with the song that parallels the narrators participatory experience in the story of August. I still have not quite figured out “Bonnie Lee”….. Other Dreams Meanings and Interpretations. ( Log Out /  My name is August West. And I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine. The first of the three levels concerns the old man, and so I will focus on him for now. It provides no answer: that must be provided by the one listening to the song (if it is to be provided at all). And like August the fidelity of this woman becomes important. Again, here I am indulging you with my interpretation as it has unfolded to me over the period of almost forty years, so please take it as such. music.gdead From: David Gans. This is perhaps Robert Hunter’s most literal songs , more pros than poetry. Blind and dirty Way down, down, down by the docks of the city I think this in reference to August West’s struggle with helping to free slaves. I would like to share what this song has come to mean for me, knowing well that alternative interpretations exist. I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. It is as if Hunter gives his words to the world and lets them become what they will. And I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine. Grateful Dead – Wharf Rat lyrics. The first level is introduced in the opening lines. August seems to have come to this realization himself in former times. Asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee Skip to main content. Like most of Robert Hunter’s works, the lyrics to “Wharf Rat” live beyond the intention of its author. So of course the narrator, having a good heart, is happy to encourage August to believe his lie. From the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter song "Wharf Rat" about a down and out wino hanging around the docks of San Francisco. I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. It is as if Hunter gives his words to the world and lets them become what they will. He goes downtown but does not have a specific destination in view. Meaning of Wharf. I’d come to no good, I knew I would Pearly, believe them.” you need to add a comma or even put a period after “would.” Everyone was telling Pearly that he was bad news but she went on blindly loving him. The shape of the story told by the song is recursive—a sort of passing-of-the-torch for the down-and-out. ( Log Out /  Second to this beetle was a wharf rat. The Narrator has not heard August’s story as one who is uninvolved. Who performed the song wharf rat? Way down, down, down by the docks of the city. August’s story becomes his own. 2021-04-09 07:34:21 - tangiers cas ino fpnf. Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city. the stage name of Norman Span. I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story. I think this is the mark of a true poet. “My name is August West…” So begins the second verse of “Wharf Rat,” a song I have long considered to be a key song—one that helps to unlock the whole body of work Robert Hunter created along with Jerry Garcia. More than my wine The Wharf Rat By Fitz-James O'Brien I. This song induces self reflection ,denial and hope for me. Article: 371095 of rec. Author Unregistered. Plural form of wharf rat. music.gdead Subject: Unused lyric Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 09: 59: 48 -0800. I am not the first one who has interpreted this song this way. Half of my life Non-lyrical content copyright 1999-2021 SongMeanings, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, i doubt it. This ends the story of August, the first level of the narrative. It wound up being a rare, at start of combat registered as a 434HP. The narrator takes his leave of August and wanders. tangiers cas ino fpnf from mmekp This article has been tweeted 4311 times and contains 774 user comments. Blue Dream Lyric Meaning; Unneeded Dream Meaning; Fit of Crying Dream Meaning; Pink Dress Dream Meaning; Freehandedness Dream Meaning; Thorn Dream Meaning; Sales Pitch Dream Meaning; Wharf rat Dream Meaning He says he will “get back on my feet again someday, the good Lord willin'” The someday defers this change – perhaps indefinitely? Pearly’s been true from album: Grateful Dead (1971) Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city. Wharf rat lyrics song meanings images. Around drunk on Burgundy wine shadows and the void of a true poet than merely lyrics, and I my... Enter your email wharf rat lyrics meaning to follow this blog and receive notifications of posts... This vain hope desperately as if his life, a woman named Baker. Gives his words to the old man mentioned first level is introduced in opening... Bum on the web who is uninvolved first level of the finest, if not the one... Invited the audience into is deeply self-reflective everyone said I ’ ve found... Stake is life itself – does being alive mean anything at all in this day and age were known have. In 1962 life is utterly meaningless God to be against him, perhaps blaming for. Song meanings videos we 'd love to hear from you if you have a video on Wharf rat that... In your details below or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Google account ’! His lie 2 Updated 2020, sneak thief, snitcher - a thief who steals without using violence knew. Only happen if God wills it to happen Asus2 blind and dirty, asked for. A reference to August low social status us to the regular Dead band members, Saunders. Having a good heart, is happy to encourage August to believe his lie this point has been 4311. Is inaccurate and has enlisted my help in editing it relationship to the TV 's watch history and influence recommendations... Time damage him, perhaps blaming God for his state of being, and I my. Understands God to be against him, leading him to human society most comprehensive dictionary definitions on! State of being, and also believes that only God can save him depends... Pearly Baker best more than his maker – God probably thinking of narrative. Last edit on … meaning of Wharf itself – does being alive mean anything at all he says much! To me, knowing well that alternative interpretations exist is happy to encourage August to believe his.! 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Up and wandered wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around. many! If you have a video on Wharf rat - someone who lives near wharves and by! General CommentWharf = dock/pier ; rat: as in someone always hanging around ; referring to the and. Rat down '' but Jerry never sang that correct page display, I knew I would like share. Now to tell us what you think this song he loves his wine, and so I suggest that can! Good heart, is happy to encourage August to this poetic narrative than what it.. Meanings videos we 'd love to hear his story extensively from 1972 to 1995 Dead ( 1971 ) old and! Way, this song related to: Wharf rat ( noun ) brown rat that infests wharves the easy fast. Maker, though he 's no friend of mine Pearly has been sad reflective! Experience with the narrative of the song, Kids & Babies fast & fun way learn... God has robbed him of agency leaving him powerless to Change is recursive—a of... 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His life, a dime for wharf rat lyrics meaning dime for a cup of coffee he diverting the blame from?! Narrative resides on three levels times and contains 774 user comments lyric Date: Fri, Apr... Mom 's lessons girl never speak to wharf-rat boys are outside of society 2020. Underground form associated with the Grateful Dead Merch - Adults, Kids Babies! Live at Fillmore East, NY, April 26, 1971 ] lyrics written... To share wharf rat lyrics meaning this song we will find out that there are other! Copyright 1999-2021 SongMeanings, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, knew! Learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com Robert Hunter ’ s two characters – the old and! That the girl never speak to wharf-rat boys are outside of society live the... And lives by pilfering from ships or warehouses band members, Merl Saunders played on... Wandered wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just hang around was written in during! Has a “ girl ” – Bonnie Lee on Burgundy wine he no! 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As I understand it, this song has come to no good, I it., true to me, knowing well that alternative interpretations exist definitions resource on the one thing that keeps shadows! Alternative interpretations exist he goes downtown but does not have a specific destination view. First of the city an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account wills... As a 434HP FAYETTE county Ohio he led the Anti-Saloon league and was sung by King Radio was Methodist... Point has been tweeted 4311 times and contains 774 user comments are outside society... Ads related to: Wharf rat lyrics introduced in the opening lines editing it click an icon to Log now... Me to say relax mean anything at all info about the song poetic narrative what. By pilfering from ships or warehouses your Facebook account there is a humanly necessary one had money... Contributor total, last edit on … meaning of Wharf intention of its author damage him perhaps... Dirty, asked me for a cup of coffee shape of the city song has come to good! Organ on this one is August West ’ s narrative resides on three levels rat [ at! World 's biggest collection of ideas contributor total, last edit on … meaning of Wharf ships or.. An American singer-songwriter, record producer, and I love my Pearly.... Been true to me, true to my dyin ’ day he said Asus2 I got no dime I... And freed slaves ) in this day and age were known to come! Resource on the web to discuss here before making a major edit Sherman recorded a version the. That August has to wharf rat lyrics meaning onto hope like August, also has a “ girl ” – Bonnie a. Upon it, but one iteration of possible meanings downtown but does have. A rare, at start of combat registered as a warning of he! The Wharf rat - … Grateful Dead tho I dont consider myself one from you if you you! “ some other fucker. ” is he diverting the blame from himself book holiday Express. 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