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Run for the Roses Lyrics

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia

Played regularly by the Jerry Garcia Band from 1981 onwards.
Reach for the sun, catch hold of the moon
They're both too heavy but what can you do?
Reach for the stars, smack into the sky
You don't want to live but you're chicken to die
Chicken to die

Chorus
Run, run, run for the roses
Sooner it opens, the quicker it closes
Man, oh, man, oh friend of mine
All good things in all good time
All good things in all good time
Reach for the rose, get caught on the briar
You're warming to love, next thing there's a fire
The trouble with love is its other face
You just want the cup, you don't want the race
No, you don't want the race

[chorus]
Run for the money, caught short on the rent
Big ideas but the money's all spent (note 1)
If you got the do-re, I got the mi
And I got a notion we're all at sea
Yeah, we're all at sea

[chorus]

Notes
(1) on at least one occasion (5 May 1982) Jerry sang "... but the cash is all spent"
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Garcia Live Vol. 2 (2013)
Midnight Moonlight The Harder They Come And It Stoned Me Waiting on a Miracle Evangeline Think That Lucky Old Sun Tangled Up In Blue How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) Stop That Train Forever Young Run For The Roses That's What Love Will Make You Do My Sisters And Brothers Tears Of Rage Deal