Wave That Flag

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia

This was played some 15 times by the Dead in 1973. It is the developing version of what became U.S.Blues. The words seem to have varied greatly between different versions, and the order of the couplets was pretty random.

This was a demo version recorded by Jerry Garcia in 1973 (only the first two lines and the chorus made it into the final U.S.Blues version):

Wave the flag, pop the bag
Rock the boat, skin the goat
Bell the cat, trap the rat
Ball the jack, chew the fat

Shoot the breeze, scratch the fleas
Pass the cheese, lose the keys
Read the sign, connect the line
Pay the fine, save a dime

Chorus
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done come and gone, my oh my

Ride the train, count your change
Sit up straight, wail your fate
Don't delay, what I'd say
Check the stile, run a mile

Hop the freight, got a date
Make a fuss, maybe try your luck
Change a tyre, pull a wire
Chase a tie, catch a fly

[Chorus]

Watch the band, feed the damned
Blow your scene, wake up mean
Catch the flu, burn the stew
Shine your shoes, sing the blues

[Chorus]
Summertime done come and gone, my oh my
Summertime done come and gone, my oh my

This is the version from 28 March 1973:

Wave the flag, pop the bag
Rock the boat, skin the goat
Trap the rat, bell the cat
Ball the jack, chew the fat

Shoot the breeze, lose the keys
Feed the poor, stop the war
Make the signs, connect the lines
Pay your fines, save your dimes

Chorus
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done come and gone, my oh my

Meet the best, read the rest
Hide in caves, walk on waves
Pull the tooth, stretch the truth
Feed the poor, start the war

Catch the flicks, get your kicks
Play your rags, pick up sticks
[Take your pig], trim your wig
Try your tricks, impress the chicks

[Chorus]

Watch the bands, dig and dance
Live in shame, die in vain
Catch the flu, burn the stew
Shine your shoes, sing the blues

[Chorus]

For comparison, here is the live version from 21 March 1973:

Wave the flag, pop the bag
Skin the goat, [command?] the coat
Bell the cat, trap the rat
Ball the jack, chew the fat

Shoot the breeze, lose the keys
Pass the cheese, scratch the fleas
Make a sign, connect the lines
Pay your fines, save your dimes

Chorus
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high
Summertime done come and gone, my oh my

[Bring the dead], read the rest
Hide in caves, walk on waves
Stretch the truth, pull the tooth
Feed the poor, start the war

Get your licks, catch the picks
Play your rags, pick up sticks
[??]
Try your tricks, impress the chicks

[Chorus]

Wash the fence, dig [a dent?] (note 1)
Live in shame, die in vain
Burn the stew, catch the flu
Shine your shoes, sing the blues

[Chorus]

Additional couplets and variations that were sung on other occasions include:

9 Feb 1973 (the first live performance)
Smell the rat, trap the cat

Do that dance, sleep in caves
Read the raves, walk on waves

Pick up tricks, catch the fix
Get your kicks, pick up sticks
Trim your wick, take your pick

17 Feb 1973
Rock the boat, skin the goat

Lose the keys, do the [?]
Spend some fees, [?] the cheese

Watch the Feds, dig the dead
Live in chains, die in vain

Don't delay, start today

24 March 1973
Skin the goat, grab the float

Get your kicks, catch the flicks
Play your licks, pick up sticks

Other
Eat for days, hide in caves

Pick up time, light the fuse
Making time, pass the juice

Pay your fines, read the rhymes

Don't be late, that's what I say

Skin the goat, sail the boat

Read the signs, connect the lines

Notes
(1) May be "Watch the Feds ..."?

Grateful Dead Recordings
	24 Mar 1973	Dave's Picks Volume 32
	28 Mar 1973	Dave's Picks Volume 16 (note a)
	2 Apr 1973	Dave's Picks Volume 21
	10 Jun 1973	Here Comes Sunshine

Notes
(a) also released issued as a bonus track on the version of From The Mars Hotel in the box set Beyond Description (1973-1990)

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