Bertha
"Bertha" was first performed live on February 18, 1971, at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York. Over the next 23 years the Dead would go on to play "Bertha" 394 times, including its last performance on June 27, 1995, at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The song was played every year except 1975 (the year the band took a hiatus from touring).
In the early years "Bertha" was usually played during their first set, and made a great show opener. In 1977 and 1978, "Bertha" could appear in either the first or second set, and in 1979 was usually in the second set. Then starting in 1981, "Bertha" was usually in the first set, and between 1982 through 1995, was the show opener more than fifty times. In the late 70s, it was paired with "Good Lovin'."
Lyrics
Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
I had a hard run
Running from your window
I was all night running, running
Lord, I wonder if you care
I had a run in
Run around and a run down
Run around the corner, corner
Lord, I ran smack into a tree
I had to move
Really had to move
That's why if you please
I am on my bended knees
Bertha, don't you come around here any more
Dressed myself in green
Lord I went down unto the sea
Try to see what's going down
Lord, try to read between the lines
I had a feeling I was falling, falling, falling
Lord, I turned round to see
Heard a voice a-calling
Lord you was coming after me
I had to move
Really had to move
That's why if you please
I am on my bended knees
Bertha, don't you come around here any more
Ran into a rain-storm
Ducked into a bar door
It was all night pouring, pouring rain
Lord but not a drop on me
Test me, test me, test me, test me, test me
Why don't you arrest me
Throw me in the jail house
Lord, until the sun go down
I had to move
Really had to move
That's why if you please
I am on my bended knees
Bertha, don't you come around here any more
Jerry Garcia Solo Lesson (7/4/89)
Solo Transcription (7/4/89)
Solo Transcription (Skull & Roses)
