He's Gone
"He's Gone" was written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, and first debuted during the Grateful Dead's 1972 European tour. Of the 22 shows they played on that tour, half of them featured this new composition.
The song originally referenced Mickey Hart's father, Lenny Hart - the band's one time manager that absconded with their money. The incident also caused Mickey to leave the band for a while. After Pigpen's death, the song took on a whole other meaning, and was often played in tribute to the passing of someone close to the band.
The form and feel of the song also changed over the years. The tempo would often fluctuate, and there are quite brisk versions out there, as well as very languid versions. As far as form goes, when the song was first performed on 4/17/72, the vocal bridge was left out. Instead, the guitar solo was extended over the chorus chords as well. The band played it this way 2 more times (4/24/72 and 4/26/72), before changing it for good. Starting on 4/29/72, the guitar solo was only played over the verse chords, and then immediately went into the vocal bridge.
Lyrics
Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
Rat in a drain ditch, caught on a limb
You know better, but I know him
Like I told you, what I said
Steal your face right off your head
And now he's gone
Now he's gone, Lord he's gone
He's gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He's gone, gone, and nothing's gonna bring him back
He's gone
Nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
Hot as a pistol but cool inside
Cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile
And now he's gone
Now he's gone, Lord he's gone
He's gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He's gone, gone, and nothing's gonna bring him back
He's gone
Going where the wind don't blow so strange
Maybe off on some high cold mountain range
Lost one round but the price wasn't anything
A knife in the back and more of the same
Same old
Rat in a drain ditch, caught on a limb
You know better, but I know him
Like I told you, like I said
Steal your face right off your head
And now he's gone
Now he's gone, Lord he's gone
He's gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He's gone, gone, and nothing's gonna bring him back
He's gone
Ooh, nothing's gonna bring him back
Ooh, nothing's gonna bring him back
Ooh, nothing's gonna bring him back
He's Gone – Jerry Garcia Guitar Solo Lesson: 9/16/90
Jerry Garcia Solo Transcription (9/16/90)
He's Gone – Jerry Garcia Guitar Solo Lesson: 3/21/90
Jerry Garcia Solo Transcription (3/21/90)
