Promontory Rider

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Robert Hunter

Part of Robert Hunter's solo repertoire, but also performed by him with the Jerry Garcia Band on a few occasions in 1980

Promontory Rider
What makes you ride so high?
To put a loving star
Back in an empty sky
Once the wind was warm and sweet
The ladies in lace
But up there on the prominence
The tears just freeze your face
Promentory Rider - Territory Ranger ... step up

Found a stack of blank pictures
A passport out of Hell
Left here by a stranger
Seemed to wish me well
Signed, Promontory Rider
Territory Ranger
Asking: Can you thread a needle?
Can you shoot the moon?
Walk the silver screen
To your judgement at High Noon
Like any Promontory Rider?
Territory Ranger ... step up

Ride on, ride on, ride

Ride upon the high ground
Ride upon the low
Promontory Rider
What makes you ride so slow?
Fit me out with heart and wings
And fill my head with crowns
I been crawlin' in this hill
But now I'm rolling down
Promontory Rider - Territory Ranger ... step up

Promontory Rider
You used to ride so high
I don't know these days
Just seem to ride on by
Once the wind was warm and sweet
But this must be your taste
You don't change this chilly range
For any other place
Promontory Rider - Territory Ranger
Ride on, ride on ... step up

Moving on the high ground
Moving on the low ground
Promontory Rider
Stepping up so high now ... step up

Promontory Rider
What makes you ride so high?
To pluck a loving star
From out an empty sky
But Promontory Rider
That was many years ago
Moving on the high ground
Moving on the low

Promontory Rider, ride on, ride on
Territory Ranger, ride on, ride
Step right up and put that loving star
Right back inside that empty sky
Promontory Rider, ride on, ride on
Territory Ranger ... step up
Robert Hunter Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
     28 Feb 1980 After Midnight Jerry Garcia Band (with Robert Hunter)
      1 Mar 1980 Garcia Live Volume 1 Jerry Garcia Band
      1984 Promontory Rider Comfort (note 1)
      1985 Live '85 Robert Hunter
      Dec 1990 Box Of Rain Robert Hunter
Notes
(1) originally recorded in 1978 for the unreleased album Alligator Moon, with Robert Hunter playing with the band Comfort.


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

 


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