A Box of Rain: Lyrics: 1965-1993

by Robert Hunter and Robert C. Hunter

Book Overview

A collection of over 250 classic songs by the main lyricist for the Grateful Dead--with a new introduction and over 20 additional songs, including from the Dead's next album. Hunter also explains the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140134514
• ISBN13: 9780140134513
• Release Date: November 1993
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.2" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

'If My Words Did Glow With The Gold Of Sunshine........

...and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung would you hear my voice come through the music would you hold it near as it were your own?' Part of the experience of a Grateful Dead concert (and now The Other Ones, Ratdog, Phil Lesh and friends, and Mickey Hart's band) was listening to the words of Robert Hunter dance and twirl in your head. Hunter probably isn't the greatest American poet of the second half of the 20th Century, but he does know how to turn a phrase, borrow a line, and mix a metaphor. And his strange mix of phrases went well with the strange mix of American music written by the late Jerry Garcia. Box Of Rain is a must reference for anyone interested in the lyrical end of rock and roll. The book will clear up many an on going debate on just what Jerry was singing all those nights so long ago. And for all those people who can't understand why the Grateful Dead was so successful, this book will let you in on part of the secret. 'If you get confused, just listen to the music play....'

TRULY A REMARKABLE RETROSPECTIVE FROM AN AMAZING CAREER! A++

WOW! This is an amazing book featuring the lyrics of Robert Hunter (primary lyricist of the Grateful Dead). Helps with those totally un-understandable (is this even a word?) lyrics but more importantly is a reflection on a remarkable career including personal notes and non-Dead songs. Hunter's work s truly wonderful & I would even be willing to bet non-DeadHeads would enjoy this book for its poetic values. Peace & of course...ENJOY!

The greates American poet of the 20th century

This book is a must have for any hard core Dead head

The Best Poet

Hunter's lyrics for the Dead sing alone, without music: he's the best living poet in the Enlish language; maybe the greatest ever. But geez, Bob, stop trying to re-write Terrapin! Sometimes a writer gets too close to his work to see it well. The first version is perfect, man.

A must-have for anyone touched by the music of the Dead...

Not only does this book contain all the lyrics for the songs Hunter composed for the Dead (through 11/1/93, at least), but it also contains many lyrics that never got incorporated into songs, as well as some that were recorded by other bands or by Hunter himself. Really allows one to see the inner workings of the songs - an essential, though often underappreciated aspect of the magic of some of the best of the Dead's song repertoire. --Mike Dobb