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Grateful Dead — Dire Wolf
Album: Workingman's Dead
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 820









Released: 1970
Length: 3:11
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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In the timbers of Fennario
The wolves are running 'round
The winter was so hard and cold
Froze ten feet 'neath the ground

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me

I sat down to my supper
'Twas a bottle of red whisky
I said my prayers and went to bed
That's the last they saw of me

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me

When I awoke, the Dire Wolf
Six hundred pounds of sin
Was grinning at my window
All I said was, "come on in"

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me

The wolf came in, I got my cards
We sat down for a game
I cut my deck to the Queen of Spades
But the cards were all the same

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me
Don't murder me

In the backwash of Fennari
The black and bloody mire
The Dire Wolf collects his dues
While the boys sing 'round the fire

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me

Don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me

No, no, no, don't murder me
I beg of you, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me
Please, don't murder me
Comments (77)add comment
There really aren't enough songs where someone is pleading for their life. 
Posted 2 years ago by madirishman    [ Reply ]
Back in '82 Jerry played an acoustic set at Oregon State Penitentiary, I believe as a community service thing. I thought it was kinda funny he opened up with Dire Wolf.  It's a great album by the way.  Loved Jerry's sense of humor.  Thaks RP  
Posted 2 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac....  America's fortune went the way of Cadillac's!
Posted 2 years ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
I sing this to myself as I pedal my bicycle in San Francisco: "Pleeeeease don't murder me."  
Posted 2 years ago by jrozzelle    [ Reply ]
 bigbobbybubba wrote:

Jesus, can't the dead just die and be gone?



You first
Posted 2 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
:D
Posted 2 years ago by rogyus    [ Reply ]
A song with that much constant pedal steel should be annoying as hell, but it works.
Posted 3 years ago by mdnlsn    [ Reply ]
Jesus, can't the dead just die and be gone?
Posted 3 years ago by bigbobbybubba    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Alot of Gram Parsons/ Burrito Brothers influence here
 

thats right

sounds like burrito brothers 
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

19th century chic... what does that even mean?
 
I think it means...Don't feed the troll.   
Posted 4 years ago by sieversfam    [ Reply ]
 bitbanger wrote:
I know there are many who appreciate this band but their work is just so 19th century chic. This will probably be a violation of standard orthodoxy but the GD are far too ultra-conservative for my tastes.

I dunno, call me a heretic if that helps.



 
19th century chic... what does that even mean?
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
For anyone who was lucky to catch them live, their concerts were controlled chaos.
Posted 4 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Love it Haven’t heard this one yet on RP Play more Dead please
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
The Dead isn't about drugs, it's about playing in a band
Posted 5 years ago by TerrorGovernor    [ Reply ]
Alot of Gram Parsons/ Burrito Brothers influence here
Posted 6 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 moodfood wrote:

2nd best, runner up to American Beauty.. {#Biggrin}

 

My favorite Dead album is usually the one of these two that I happen to be listening to at the time.


Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Their best album? 

 
2nd best, runner up to American Beauty.. {#Biggrin}
Posted 9 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
Are you playing this for Weir, Lesh, Hart & Kreutzmann to listen to in their separate limos on their way to O'Hare?
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
Crosby, Still, Nash and Garcia!!!

 
Most insightful comment Mr Stingray.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Their best album? 
Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]


{#Lol}
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:
Bears repeating.
 
bears repeating
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
God bless the Grateful Dead, and God bless Bill for playing their tunes!
Posted 9 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
This is 'Murican music.
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Three Deads in one day—-Eyes of the World, Uncle Johns Band and this——-I usually don't like RP playing the same band so close together, however, if they're gonna do it...good band to do it with.... Thanks RP!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
Ouch, what horrible song. Is it about Charles Manson perhaps?

Posted 13 years ago by Ears_of_Stone    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:
Don't murder me, and don't murder the Dead by overanalyzing them.

 
Bears repeating.

Posted 13 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
Crosby, Still, Nash and Garcia!!! 
That's because Jerry played on Teach your Children
Posted 13 years ago by sandpebble    [ Reply ]
Crosby, Still, Nash and Garcia!!!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:

Bill, can you make a twit filter feature so that we don't have to read anything by insulting and offensive posters?

It's getting worse and worse and harder to use the forums.

 
It's easier to just work on adding one to your brain.  Helps you out in the big, bad world too.

Also, the vocal harmonies in a LOT of Grateful Dead songs are a bit off.  I think it's a fair criticism.  If their instrumentation wasn't so superb I wouldn't be willing to overlook it.

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:

Bill, can you make a twit filter feature so that we don't have to read anything by insulting and offensive posters?

It's getting worse and worse and harder to use the forums.

 
Insulting and offensive....really?  And I assume you mean something like an "ignore" feature on certain posters for just yourself and not actually suggesting suppressing opinions which are negative...

Posted 14 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
Well........ i love it!!

But then, i'm totally in love with the pedal steel sound... {#Hearteyes}
8
Posted 14 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
They were old and in the way before they were old and in the way.
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 Stingray wrote:
True! They were not famous in Europe,
certainly not in my inviroment!

Hearing this music on RP more or less
for the first time in some detail,

I can only say that I had a
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IDEA of them.

This hillybillie music comes from
the number one Acid-band?
Reeeeeally...??

What a joke!

I do not hear acid,
I see Hillbillies with moonshine alc...
(or how do you call this self-made stuff?)

MOST-MOST STUPID MUSIC!
 
Wow! Ignorant and provincial describe this European! Or someone pretending to be one. 
Posted 14 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
True! They were not famous in Europe,
certainly not in my inviroment!

Hearing this music on RP more or less
for the first time in some detail,

I can only say that I had a
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IDEA of them.

This hillybillie music comes from
the number one Acid-band?
Reeeeeally...??

What a joke!

I do not hear acid,
I see Hillbillies with moonshine alc...
(or how do you call this self-made stuff?)

MOST-MOST STUPID MUSIC!

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
This can't be the Dead, they're in tune.
 
Bill, can you make a twit filter feature so that we don't have to read anything by insulting and offensive posters?

It's getting worse and worse and harder to use the forums.

Posted 14 years ago by james_of_tucson    [ Reply ]
This can't be the Dead, they're in tune.
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
I all ways liked this one. 
Posted 14 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
I'm so with you! I've yet to hear a song that isn't nails on a chalk board!
 heatherchickenlady wrote:
HATE_THE_DEAD. I'm a heathen, so be it.
 


Posted 14 years ago by Dangerpussy    [ Reply ]
HATE_THE_DEAD. I'm a heathen, so be it.
Posted 14 years ago by heatherchickenlady    [ Reply ]
workingsman's dead?
wish the grateful dead is dead!

{#Puke}

Posted 14 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
A fine song, imo.
Posted 14 years ago by brewgoat    [ Reply ]
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:


call that a good day!
 
Love this Album still,
  yes I called it an Album

Posted 14 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Bill, another song from this very same CD was played earlier today.
 

call that a good day!
Posted 15 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
Hell yeah!  {#Notworthy}
Fennario!
Posted 15 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Bill, another song from this very same CD was played earlier today.
 
Nothing wrong with that :)

Posted 15 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
Bill, another song from this very same CD was played earlier today.
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 bitbanger wrote:

I know there are many who appreciate this band but their work is just so 19th century chic. This will probably be a violation of standard orthodoxy but the GD are far too ultra-conservative for my tastes.

I dunno, call me a heretic if that helps.



 

Wow, a legitimate critique of this band...and one I would have to agree with.  If you look at most of the stuff where they tried to push the envelope (technically speaking), they flopped.  Most of their stuff was not "psychedelic", and when they did attempt to go there in the early days, like "What's Become of the Baby", it was a flop.

The "jamming" was inspired by what Coltrane had already been doing, and the rest of the songwriting, where they really hit their stride, was rooted in folk/traditionals.  However, I still think they did cover some new ground, in the studio and live, by being experimental...combining sounds and different genres. 





Posted 15 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Don't murder me, and don't murder the Dead by overanalyzing them.

Posted 15 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Damn Hippies. Why is this so good. ;)
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
so, which engineer did the panning back and forth during the solo?
 
Posted 15 years ago by scottflory    [ Reply ]
This album blew our socks off—to coin a cliche. What the Dead taught a very young generation of rock'n'rollers was the value in musical genres that weren't terribly or immediately hip. Yes, I suppose you can argue—indeed, persuasively—that Garcia was at heart a musical conservative because of his devotion to archaic musical forms; e.g., check out his later work with Grisman on old folk tunes and seaman's shanties. But I think that very small pigeonhole misses the point. Virtually all great music has its roots in some past genre, be it popular or long forgotten. IMHO Garcia and the Dead were merely exploring the multiplicity of their accumulated musical learnings. The lesson, indeed the miracle, was passing that learning on.
Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 stkman wrote:

19th century chic? you sure about that one? and you must have been pretty radical in the 60's and 70's if the Dead were "far" to conservative for you. Prefer couple other tunes on this album and I won't call ya a heretic that sounds kinda 19th century

 

I think the observation is because the Dead always struck me as having a lot more unassimilated 19th century folk and early 20th century country influences in their music then a lot of other bands. Some illustrative contemporaneous examples from the same cultural genre might be Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Santana, Yardbirds, Moody Blues, Yes, Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. The Dead just seems to lack the edge that many other musicians were starting to explore at the time. Just my 2 cents.




Posted 15 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
stkman
(Texas)
Posted: Feb 26, 2009 - 01:02 < Reply >
 bitbanger wrote:

I know there are many who appreciate this band but their work is just so 19th century chic. This will probably be a violation of standard orthodoxy but the GD are far too ultra-conservative for my tastes.

I dunno, call me a heretic if that helps.



 
19th century chic? you sure about that one? and you must have been pretty radical in the 60's and 70's if the Dead were "far" to conservative for you. Prefer couple other tunes on this album and I won't call ya a heretic that sounds kinda 19th century

I think bitbanger means 20th century, and the comment has nothing to do with politics.  I can see what he might mean by the Dead being conservative in music style.  For example, I see Blues music as a conservative genre, meaning that those who like the Blues often have more traditional tastes, they're not going to like a group like the Flaming Lips.

Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Great song from a great album.  One of their best.  In fact, they followed this up with American Beauty and those two were really terrific.
Posted 15 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 bitbanger wrote:

I know there are many who appreciate this band but their work is just so 19th century chic. This will probably be a violation of standard orthodoxy but the GD are far too ultra-conservative for my tastes.

I dunno, call me a heretic if that helps.



 
19th century chic? you sure about that one? and you must have been pretty radical in the 60's and 70's if the Dead were "far" to conservative for you. Prefer couple other tunes on this album and I won't call ya a heretic that sounds kinda 19th century


Posted 15 years ago by stkman    [ Reply ]

I know there are many who appreciate this band but their work is just so 19th century chic. This will probably be a violation of standard orthodoxy but the GD are far too ultra-conservative for my tastes.

I dunno, call me a heretic if that helps.



Posted 15 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]

grin smile sigh
Posted 15 years ago by pope183    [ Reply ]
We miss you Jerry     {#Cry}

Signed,
One of Jerry's Kids
Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
 diazo wrote:
Never smoked enough pot to understand the Dead. Not that I didn't try.
 
That's because you needed some acid!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Electric_Kool-Aid_Acid_Test

Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I cant get past how twangy this is, ick.
Posted 16 years ago by djblitz    [ Reply ]
Don't murder me Don't murder me I beg of you please Don't murder me
Repeat ad infinitum
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]
mshaffer wrote:
Love The Dead, Hate Dead fans.
You just don't get it, do you?
Posted 16 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
RobRyan wrote:
I know he's just a beginner and not in the Buddy Cage or Rusty Young league, but I really enjoy Jerry's pedal steel.
Rusty Young!!! He could make that pedal sing, sounded like an organ on early Poco, the best i have had the pleasure to hear
Posted 16 years ago by ydjb    [ Reply ]
Love The Dead, Hate Dead fans.
Posted 16 years ago by mshaffer    [ Reply ]
I'm ready to murder the c**t Rubbish
Posted 16 years ago by salice    [ Reply ]
Thought it was N.R.P.S. when it came on, but they're not even in the library... what's up with that?
Posted 16 years ago by polymath    [ Reply ]
diazo wrote:
Never smoked enough pot to understand the Dead. Not that I didn't try.
God, I'm tired of that cliché.
Posted 16 years ago by etwilson    [ Reply ]
diazo wrote:
Never smoked enough pot to understand the Dead. Not that I didn't try.
So Sad for you.......
Posted 16 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
I know he's just a beginner and not in the Buddy Cage or Rusty Young league, but I really enjoy Jerry's pedal steel.
Posted 16 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
What a beautiful slice of time.
Posted 17 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
Never smoked enough pot to understand the Dead. Not that I didn't try.
Posted 17 years ago by diazo    [ Reply ]
What's the appeal of the Dead all these years? So BLAND, BLAND, BLAND. ZZZZZZ.
Posted 17 years ago by Essbee    [ Reply ]
Don't murder me....I beg of you, murder my ex-wife.
Posted 17 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!!!! still missin' Jerry a WHOLE LOT!
Posted 17 years ago by Orphan    [ Reply ]
ch83575 wrote:
I can't get enough Dead... keep it coming Bill! (this is a particularly good one to boot!)
Posted 17 years ago by moneygrip    [ Reply ]
I can't get enough Dead... keep it coming Bill! (this is a particularly good one to boot!)
Posted 17 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]