Grateful Dead - Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo Lyrics

Who can be fuck crazy not to like it?

Rest In Peace jerrybear

Was going to head to the Wherehouse back in '74 after first hearing this and buy it. Changed my mind. Kicking myself as I type this.

I played Wake of the flood for my grandmother who was born in 1921 and she absolutely loved it. This has been my favorite dead record as long as I can remember the Grateful Dead. Rest in peace Evelyn Long Jerry Garcia and Vassar Clements.🤩🙏💖

I lost my boots in transit babe
Pile of smoking leather
Nailed a retread to my feet
And prayed for better weather... anyone whose crashed and burned, gotten back up and held onto a tiny inkling of hope and continued to move forward, can understand these lines. NFA

What's the point in calling shots if your cue ain't straight in line ?

Toodadoo

My Oh, My
How the tides of time have changed...

Thanks, Astral Flood!

Miss The shows!

Love it ,sounds like Jerry's telling us a story with n's and outs and the weather

Great song.

Rick flair screaming, "woooooo!" Between halfstep and tootleoo!

These songs remind me of my child hood. Cruises, Dick's picks. My mom and brother passing joints. Functional? No but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Best ever. The Tampa 74 w this is the bomb! 💯🎼😁🍍❣️❣️🐄

Mississippi halftown upstep

Who plays fiddle in the second part (across the Rio Grande Rio)? I love it!

Vassar Clements

@Frank Shuller Wow, no wonder it's great, thank you!

Jerry wasn't very smart. He said the lyric "cue ball is made of Styrofoam " was a corny line in an interview I heard. He coulgnt be more wrong

If I'm correct, his only issue was that "styrofoam" is a timedated phrase. It places the song in a certain time frame and I believe he thought it went against the "timeless" feel that a lot of their music has. I understand his rationale behind it.

You are wrong jerry played in 27 different bands

Easily one of my favorite songs

pappa john creech on the fiddle soooooooo sweet

Vassar Clements, same as on Old & In The Way.

I'm 44 years old and I just started listening to the Grateful Dead for maybe a month now and I can't believe that it took me so long with all of the experiences that were pushing me towards them but the internet makes it very easy to access music. The Oregon State Penitentiary track makes me want to go out and replace the guitar that I lost about four five six months ago whatever and play again and even sing. I have to tell this story I was finishing my drink or listening at the end of 1996 and my last 6 months was a deployment in Okinawa Japan from Camp Pendleton California we flew to Anchorage Alaska so take to board a 12-hour flight of which I slept 10 hours I was awake the first hour and the last hour of the 10 hours that I slept it was on the person sitting next to me I cannot remember his name but he was reading a book quantum mechanics or physics or something and we got into a conversation later on on the Rock we ran into each other a few times and I overheard him telling the story and it was so just so odd because the same experience happened to me as well it was about being in a hotel was about seven or eight friends and be getting separated and being in an elevator and everyone coming out on the floor at the same time except for one person and then a couple of seconds later he came walking through the door from the staircase that s*** was funny that happened to me at Rutgers University so I had to tell him a little later that that happened to me as well anyways come to find out this guy live the few houses or down the street away from Jerry Garcia and his him and his parents were very good friends with Jerry and he told me about when he found out that Jerry died he was in boot camp this guy is a very good person he allowed me to sleep on his shoulder for 10 hours and never disturb me once Namaste everyone God bless rest in peace Jerry

Tom Keaveney Nice run-on.

Hunter/Garcia > Lennon/McCartney

D B is that even a debate ???

Lennon/McCartney have their charm, but Hunter/Garcia has that sound and style that we may not ever be able to capture again

⚡️💀⚡️

On Christmas day when I was born, Santa sat down and cried.

Pontiac leMarc just as plain as Dave? It could not be descriiiiiibed!

Nothing changes me spirits positive like the dead

Who plays fiddle?

Vassar Clements.

Lost my boots in transit babe a pile of smoking leather.

say something ? My sister is drinking motor oil and I'm eating tin cans ?

This is the sound of an eternal America, of sleepy rivers and railroad grades, old houses with windows like angels. I come to the Dead late, but that's how they usually describe the dead anyhow so I guess it's alright.

thats pretty fucking poetic

Across the lazy river....

One of the high points of the best band in history.

well said. Robert Hunter's lyrics were a homage to the common working man and folklore of the American West. Barlow's as well.

@Nick Roman he's been reading Kerouac

Secretly listening to this because I'm too proud to tell my dad I definitely hopped on the bus lol...

Enjoy the ride :)

I didnt know a studio version existed!

Always loved this song but never understood what the rio grande river has in common with Mississippi. They are nowhere near each other but the song makes it seem as though there is some sort of connection they have where I see none at all. Js

On the day when I was born Daddy sat down and cried
I had the mark just as plain as day; which could not be denied
They say that Cain caught Abel rollin' loaded dice
Ace of Spades behind his ear and him not thinkin' twice

Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodleloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way

If all you got to live for is what you left behind
Get yourself a powder charge and seal that silver mine
Lost my boots in transit, baby, pile of smokin' leather
I nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather

Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodleloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way

They say that when your ship comes in, the first man takes the sails
Second takes the after deck, third the planks and rails
What's the point of callin' shots; this cue ain't straight in line
Cue ball's made of styrofoam and no one's got the time

Halfstep, Mississippi uptown toodleloo Hello, baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of Rock and Rye. Farewell to you old Southern skies
I'm on my way, on my way.

Across the Rio Grand-eo, Across the lazy river

COOL TO POST THIS ...SOME DONT KNOW ;)

tnxalot

I confess, all of these years/shows, I thought Jerry sang, 'have a couple of Rock and Ryes'... and not 'a half a cup'. Lmao! Really, just a half of a cup? Guess, they were saving it all up for, 'uptown'. Toodle oo 😎🤘

who knows the words?

me..bought the song book in1975

@b100ka hhhhh

tnxalot

IGNORANCE IS BLISS*

randall scott burress
*People who like that sort of thing
Will find that
The sort of thing
They like.*

Watching out for orange headed blodies in a wig carrying a big battle hymn

Gives me chills at the.end

Gabriel Becker ..

.amen

On my way!!!!!!!

Omg I know bro, the outro is so beautiful and idk if there’s any other blues outro that iterates such a peaceful and ornate goodbye. I feel like I can picture the river and the ship just traveling along it, growing smaller in the distance as the voices and the melody all fade as well.

This was a good time for the Deads music. Keith and Donna brought a lot of soul to the band after the loss of pigpen. Just my opinion

This is my top 3... don't like the fiddle tho on the studio. Distracting I think.

This fiddle is amazing.

Nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weatheR

Who singeth?

I believe tis Jerry, milord.

‘Sblood, ‘tis sir Jer of the house of Garcia

AOB I thank thee, laddie. Thou art good.

MrIronose I thank thee too, peasant...

Such great lyrics and music!

I am 11 and the grateful dead is my favorite band. I can't stand pop music

You have good taste

These kids give me hope for the future

Me too kid

Wow I'm also 11 and this is great! I'm just kidding I'm 52 and was fortunate enough to have gone to a half a dozen Dead shows in northern California in the 80s. Wake of the flood is my favorite dead record of all time. Next would be Working man's dead. It's great to know younger folks are hearing this stuff and into it. It will save you from pop music and lead you to other musics!🎶💖 From Western PA

@the storyteller "if a seed dies and falls to the ground it produces much fruit." Jesus Christ

Cain caught Abel shooting loaded dice.

320 Parks YUP!!

Justin Braun only time I saw them live touring this album. midnight at the oasis opened

320 Parks who the hell is midnight at the oasis?

Justin Braun Maria Muldaur

320 Parks soooo...? you only saw the dead once? when this was fresh? if so, I wish you could've seen em more! especially in this Era! it still kicks ass tho!!

rdkg2. The music played the band baby

Uptown toodles yoyo !!

All time favorite dead song

mine too

I have this album on vinyl. This is certainly my favorite track.

Me too. Mine too. :))

I'm from Mississippi..this is the Dead Heads here anthem

I love it also, and would freakin love to have it on vinyl!... But I personally look at this album as a whole, so I don't really have a favorite song...although as a live staple through the years, i'd have to say Row Jimmy is my fave, from the tour recordings

all you got to live for is what you left behind brings a teary eyed smile to my face every time Miss you Jerry.

this song inspires me.. lights a fire under me..

so inspiring

I'm only halfway through the first song!

still? :)

Across the Rio Grand-eee-oh, that's where I want to be.

yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah :)

i though this was the album cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SVWN0DW5L._SX300_.jpg

+Derek Roberts That's the back of the album cover.

I love that first instrumental, how it gets passed back and forth between the guitar and the fiddle.

Vassar!

Ehy people! I'd love to know what you think about my own rendition of this masterpiece! Feel free to check it out!! Peace ✌

LeonardMcrendall no

Kidd Kunn That was rude, unnecessary, and unappreciated.

Who was the fiddler? I'm pretty sure it was Vassar Clements, but it could have been Papa John Creach.  Both of them were jamming with the Dead at the time.  This was the same year as Old And In the Way, I think.

It was vassar i sawhis name listed on the album cover

+Rob Smith ...yeah...Papa John was more "psychedelic" in his playing.

On the day that I was born, daddy sat down and cried. I had the mark just as plain as day, could not be denied......gets me every damn time. Don't know if I'd still be alive if it weren't for the grateful dead.

Christopher Schwarz

Ain't that the truth. I was born on the day of what is arguably the best version of this song ever played. I don't wanna put my birthday out there. but I think anyone who has listened to many version of this song would know which one I was talking about. At any rate, that verse and the fact that they literally raged what's arguably the best version of it on the day I was literally born has always held a dear spot in my heart. God bless the Grateful Dead.

hallelujah

@Ramrod Rymensnyder which one is it?

I discovered the joy of their music the very first day I was starting to feel human again after a decade plus of heroin and speed (and hating on them endlessly trying to be a cool metalhead) and my life has been better since, partly because I have these songs to turn to in any mood, good or bad. Glad others are here with me. Weir everywhere. Love, fam. NFA

300 likes to 4 dislikes at the time of commenting. That's a hell of a win-loss ratio.

+Matt Stefon  A year later, it's 490 to 4...  Oh, wait:  Now it's 491 to 4.  Funny how that works...

Well it’s one of the best songs in music history. If you don’t like it you need to get your head checked!

Tootleoo!!

Love this pic, & oh yes the song also.

Excellent!

never heard the studio version. My favorite is from Without a Net that was an incredible performance i will never forget it ever!!! This is slowed up a bit more Fiddle Violin. Still a wonderful tune.I hope Bob Weir makes it out ok from what ever is ailing him now. God Bless him and the res!!

comparatively to live it's not very good...but the message remains and the boys will too

It's not worse, just different like studio is supposed to be. Vassar adds a nice touch

back in the day a lot of people said the studio stuff wasn't any good. i disagreed then and i think it is still awesome. maybe not as good as the band live but an awesome legacy.

works for me.

I miss you very,very much Jerry..............God rest your soul my brother !!!

I LOVE THE Grateful Dead !!!

fiddle in the studio! nice!

Much of their studio work didn't portrait their real sound, this is an exception. Structured but with that looseness that they were famous for. Like jazz and eastern music they never played a song the same twice. That would just drive the perfectionist wild. But for the Dead that was perfection.

one of the greatest songs to hear live

ahhh a classic...

sherry gypsy S my fav

I love how many GD vids, both studio and live, are on youtube! and looooove this song!

i love this, but the "SYF" issue's intro takes me away..... it's just so pure.....

all the studio versions really fuckin hold up!!

other worldly

"hello baby i'm gone goodbye"

play it VASSER

Thank you for the post!

@apagoogoo same here and its beautiful, I also enjoyed the violin what a nice tough

love tht violin

i have actually never heard the studio version before.

cueball made of styrofoam

I've been listening to "Wake of the Flood" in honor of Hurricane Irene.