Little Glass Of Wine

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Played by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman on 2 & 3 February 1991. Usually appears in lists as "Poison Glass Of Wine" or "Poison Wine." Thanks to Brad Dilli for the lyrics.

Come little girl, let's go get married
My love is so great, how can you slight me
I'll work for you both late and early
And at [my/our] wedding my little wife you'll be (note 1)

Oh Willie dear, let's both consider (note 2)
We're both too young to be married now
When we're married, we're bound together
Let's stay single just one more year

He went to the bar where she was dancing
A jealous thought came to his mind
I'll kill that girl, my own true lover
'Fore I let another man beat my time

He went to the bar and he called her to him
Said Willie dear, what you want with me?
Come and drink wine with the one that loves you
More than anyone else in the world, said he

While they were at the bar a-drinking
That same old thought came to his mind
I'll kill that girl, my own true lover
Give her poison in a glass of wine

She laid her head over on his shoulder
Said Willie dear, please take me home
That glass of wine that I've been drinking
Has gone to my head and done me wrong

He laid his head over on the pillow
Let me read you the Lord, let me tell you my mind
Molly dear, I'm sorry to tell you
That we both drank poison in a glass of wine

They fold their arms around each other
They cast their eyes unto the sky
Oh God, oh God, ain't this a pity
That the both true lovers are bound to die

"Its hard to tell what David was singing at the start of this verse, but I figure it was probably the beginning of the second verse. However, after Jerry messes up by starting the third instead of the second verse, David just tries to follow along and then anticipate. He waits to see what Jerry is going to sing to finish the verse and then joins in. When Jerry starts the third verse, David actually starts the fourth. I guess he was thinking after Jerry combined the second and third, they should just go to the fourth. He recovers quickly and finishes the third verse with Jerry. Ah, the joys of live music!"