Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
If I had the world to giveWhen the song was being developed, it had another verse, starting:
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you let it fall
Or hold it all in your arms?
If I had a song to sing
I'd sing it to you, long as you live
Lullaby
Or maybe a plain serenade
Wouldn't you laugh, dance and cry or be afraid
At the trade you made? (note 1)
I may not have the world to give to you
But maybe I have a tune or two
Only if you let me be your world
Could I ever give this world to you
Could I ever give this world to you
But I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
Long as I live
If I had a star to give
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you have the time
To watch it shine, watch it shine?
Or ask for the moon and heaven too?
I'd give it to you
Maybe I've got no star to spare
Or anything fine or even rare
Only if you let me be your world
Would I ever give this world to you (note 2)
Could I ever give this world to you
If I had a golden chimeI believe this circulates as a studio outtake from the Shakedown Street sessions, but it's not on the outtake I have. If anyone has the full lyrics, I'd be very grateful.
And made it sing, in perfect rhyme
Grateful Dead Recordings | |||||
Date | Album | ||||
studio 1978 | Shakedown Street | ||||
21 Oct 1978 | Road Trips Volume 1, Number 4 ("From Egypt With Love") (bonus disc) | ||||
Other Recordings | |||||
Date | Album | Recorded By | |||
1997 | Fire On The Mountain Vol 2 | Reggae Celebrates The Grateful Dead (Ras Michael And The Sons Of Regus) | |||
2003 | Grateful Guitar | David Cullen | |||
2005 | Someday, Sometime | Jeni Fleming Trio | |||
2007 | Dead Symphony | Lee Johnson | |||
2016 | Day Of The Dead | Bonnie "Prince" Billy | |||
2019 | Dead Air | David Wax Museum | |||
2023 | Grateful Deadication 2 | Dave McMurray |