Grateful Dead
Miscellaneous
Terrapin Lady With A Fan
Terrapin: Lady With a Fan
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Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme
suggesting rhythm that will not forsake me
til my tale is told and done
While the firelight's aglow
strange shadows from the flames will grow
til things we've never seen will seem familiar
Shadows of the 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 storyteller 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 lept at him
that's how it stands today
you decide if he was wise
The storyteller 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 come back
but he can not be bought or sold