Deep Well Of Sadness

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jim Lauderdale

Chorus
Oh the deep well of sadness
Lower down a bucket on a chain
Draw up the clear dark water
Then lower down the bucket once again

All the joy in this world here below
Bound to stop before it starts again
All the sweetness that we come to know
Flies plain as ashes on a passing wind

The rich man puts his trust in shining silver
A poor man puts his trust in holy words
Both must add their tears unto the river
Before their prayers ascend like wings of birds

[chorus]

You are bidden to be good to one another
There's nothing else but love can satisfy
Each [tricking] stranger who is a dying brother
Until you have no further tears to cry

[chorus]

I thought I caught the first snowflake of winter
Upon my tongue, my wicked thirst to slake
I thought I heard a voice that bid me enter
When you learn to give more than you take

Hand me down my five-string banjo
Hand me down my hand-carved violin
Hand me down my weeping-willow bow
I'll play a tune with you before I go

[chorus]
Draw up the cold dark water
Then lower down the bucket once again