Crooked Judge

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: David Nelson

Mainly known as a New Riders song, but also played solo by Robert Hunter with some variations

Paid my money to a crooked judge
Set out to find an honest man
That's how I came to be in Boston
Looking like I am

If by now we stop to sleep
We can't make no midnight creep
Only time can ever say
Pack my cat and haul away

Rained all night and it rained all day
Rain come floated my house away
Didn't it rain oh didn't it rain?
Didn't it rain that day!

If by now we step by, then
Someday we may meet again
Run down high, look down low
Call the Captain up from the hole

I was down in some low dive
Talkin' all the usual jive
Like: Say Buddy gimme five
I ain't drunk enough to drive

Wipe that grin right off your face
Before I throw you through the wall
No one needs a wise guy, Jack
Specially one don't check his facts

If by now we step by, then
Someday we may meet again
Who cares what you have to say?
Even this too shall pass away

Pass away, pass away
Even this too shall pass away
Hey, hey, crooked judge
Even this too shall pass away
Even this too shall pass away
This was Robert Hunter's version on 14 October 1978
Spent my money on a crooked judge
Set out to find an honest man
That's how I came to be in New York City
Living
If by now we stop to sleep
We can't make no midnight creep
If by now we stop by, then
Who knows where we'll meet again


I was down in some low dive
Talkin' all the usual jive
Like: Say Buddy gimme five
I ain't drunk enough to drive

Wipe that grin right off your face
Before I throw you through the wall
No one needs a wise guy, Jack
Specially one don't check his facts

If by now we step by, then
Who knows when we'll meet again
Who cares what you have to say?
Even this too shall pass away
Even this too shall pass away
Even this too shall pass away

All inside is bound to change, all night long
One gonna sing and the other one pray, all night long
One gonna sing and the other one pray, all night long
Dear Lord deliver poor me

Spent my money on a crooked judge
Set out to find an honest man
That's how I come to be in New York City
Looking like I am

If by now we step by, then
Who knows when we'll meet again
Who cares what you have to say?
Even this too shall pass away
New Riders Recordings
     Date Album
      1974 Brujo
     13 Jun 1975 Armadillo World HQ
     31 Dec 1977 Winterland, San Francisco


Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography

 


Home | Find words/phrases| Find Song lyrics| Dead originals| Dead covers|