BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND PLAY VIDEO TO LET THE SONG FILL THE AIR!

At GayTravel, we believe that music, just like travel, opens our hearts and minds and shapes our lives.  That's why while travel is curtailed, we feel compelled to turn our attention to music and to share the positive messages we hear with all of you.

Within our own community, we have seen how one small ripple can make big waves of positive changes in our world. That's why we're so GRATE(ful) to the late GREAT Jerry Garcia for gifting us with his song "Ripple" with lyrics by Robert Hunter.

According to Rolling Stone:  "For 'Ripple,' Garcia constructed a melody that was pure and humble, tinged with a bit of sadness" which you can hear for yourself in this great rendition by Songs Around The World - Playing For Change.  Hunter recalled to Rolling Stone when his old friend came up with the music to match his lyrics: “We were in Canada on that train trip [the Festival Express, 1970] and one morning the train stopped and Jerry was sitting out on the tracks not too far off, in the sunrise, setting “Ripple” to music. That’s a good memory.”

In many ways, this song seems even more poignant today than it was when it was first released in 1970 on the Grateful Dead album American Beauty.  So without further ado, enjoy the video and as the lyrics written below state:  "Let there be songs to fill the air."

Grateful Dead "Ripple" by Jerry Garcia and lyrics by Robert Hunter


If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own?
It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air


Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow


Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men

 

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone


Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow


You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home

Source: LyricFind
Dancing Bears:  Courtesy of The Grateful Dead

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