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Filled with many historical, literary, and musical references, “Ramble on Rose” is one of those Grateful Dead songs that raises more questions than it answers. Is the narrator singing to someone named “Ramblin' Rose”? Who is the leader of the band mentioned in the song? Or is that a metaphor?
“Ramb...
[Verse 1]
Just like Jack the Ripper, just like Mojo Hand
Just like Billy Sunday, in a shotgun ragtime band
Just like New York City, just like Jericho
Pace the halls and climb the walls and get out when they blow
[Chorus]
Did you say your name was Ramblin' Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose
[Verse 2]
Just like Jack and Jill, Mama told the sailor
One heat up, and one cool down, leave nothing for the tailor
Just like Jack and Jill, Papa told the jailer
One go up, and one go down, do yourself a favor
[Chorus]
Did you say your name was Ramblin' Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose
[Bridge]
I'm going to sing you a hundred verses in ragtime
I know this song it ain't never going to end
I'm going to march you up and down along the county line
Take you to the leader of a band
[Verse 3]
Just like Crazy Otto, just like Wolfman Jack
Sittin' plush with a royal flush, aces back to back
Just like Mary Shelly, just like Frankenstein
Clank your chains and count your change and try to walk the line
[Chorus]
Did you say your name was Ramblin' Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose
[Bridge]
I'm going to sing you a hundred verses in ragtime
I know this song it ain't never going to end
I'm going to march you up and down along the county line
Take you to the leader of a band
[Verse 4]
Goodbye Mama and Papa, goodbye Jack and Jill
The grass ain't greener, the wine ain't sweeter
Either side of the hill
[Chorus]
Did you say your name was Ramblin' Rose?
Ramble on baby, settle down easy
Ramble on Rose
Ramble on Rose
Ramble on Rose was written by Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter.
Ramble on Rose was produced by The Grateful Dead.
The Grateful Dead released Ramble on Rose on Sun Nov 05 1972.
In an interview with Alan Paul—published on his website in June 2019—Robert Hunter talked about the song.
Alan Paul:
Can you think of any examples where Jerry [Garcia] wrote the melody first and you added lyrics?
Robert Hunter:
“Foolish Heart” came about like that. And the band pretty much wrote...