Look out of any window
Any morning, any evening, any day
Maybe the sun is shining
Birds are winging or rain is falling from a heavy sky

What do you want me to do
To do for you to see you through?
For this is all a dream we dreamed
One afternoon long ago

Walk out of any doorway
Feel your way, feel your way like the day before
Maybe you'll find direction
Around some corner where it's been waiting to meet you
What do you want me to do
To watch for you while you were sleeping?
Then please don't be surprised
When you find me dreaming too

Look into any eyes, you find by you
You can see clear to another day
Maybe been seen before
Through other eyes on other days while going home
What do you want me to do
To do for you to see you through?
It's all a dream we dreamed
One afternoon long ago

Walk into splintered sunlight
Inch your way through dead dreams to another land
Maybe you're tired and broken
Your tongue is twisted with words half spoken
And thoughts unclear
What do you want me to do
To do for you to see you through
A box of rain will ease the pain
And love will see you through

Just a box of rain
Wind and water
Believe it if you need it
If you don't, just pass it on
Sun and shower
Wind and rain
In and out the window like a moth before a flame

And it's just a box of rain
I don't know who put it there
Believe it if you need it
Or leave it if you dare
And it's just a box of rain
Or a ribbon for your hair
Such a long long time to be gone
And a short time to be there


Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind, edited by Poisonouss

Box of Rain Lyrics as written by Robert C. Hunter Philip Lesh

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Box Of Rain song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

60 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +15
    General Comment

    Box of rain = this world we live in

    Bear that in mind next time you listen to the song, it makes a lot more sense. It's a very melonchollie song. Full of metaphors for being disillusioned, living out your life without being in control. But then the song is reasuring, saying that this world's just a box of rain, wind and water... believe it if you need it, if you don't just pass it on. It's like the song is telling you not to worry about your life because there's lots of sadness in the world no matter who you are, and you're only alive for a short time (long long time to be gone and a short time to be there) so be take pleasure in what you want and just be happy!

    x0nixon June 03, 2004   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    Kind of late now, but I believe fikus was correct. Hunter has discussed where this one came from. He wrote it with Phil when Phil's dad was dying. Hunter described to the effect that "the words wrote themselves". IE. In a very, very short period of time.

    jakiebumon June 13, 2003   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    This song is about clarity. It’s about having a very specific worldview. The dead were always known for their easy going attitude but this song is the epitome of that feeling. it refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it. Some people fill that hole in their life with religion; others with cultural identities, Robert Hunter objectified his worldview with an image of a box of rain. The concept to take all negative aspects in life that wreak so much havoc throughout the day like jealousy, and deception, and selfishness and manage to emasculate those powerful social forces to be nothing more than wind, water, rain, and sunshine; Just natural parts of life with no need to worry about. It offered a way to stay above such trivial parts of life. Often times I feel that many people have these feelings that I associate with this song, but I know at least for me thinking it is a different thing than being able to express it. But that’s why I believe this song is so special. To me if offers a clear view of the world around us. Its not telling you what to think, but more specifically giving you a proper mindset to begin that thought process. That’s why this song can relate to anyone and everyone but still have such a specified connotation.

    btw...wtf is a word half spoken? lol .....long live jerry

    Mattymilla89on August 11, 2009   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    I understand that it has personal meaning to the band members, but I believe the overall message GD was trying to send was how amazing experiencing life is, and how small of an opportunity it is - take risk, and enjoy it. Don't live a sheltered life only to die safely.

    Then there's another part about embracing the people you get to meet and cherish the love you share.

    The ending resonates inside your mind...

    "Believe if you need it, if you don't just pass it on {...] Believe it if you need it, or leave it if you dare..."

    And the last lines "Such a long long time to be gone, and a short time to be there," seem rather obvious; you're only here for a very short amount of time, and you're gone forever (think of all the years and lives that have preceded your birth, think of all the years and lives that will succeed your death).

    All in all, just another amazing tune from GD.

    DC3893on September 26, 2011   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    There's always the one guy on these things that says the meaning to every dead song is LSD...

    Samantha723on October 20, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is my all time favorite GD song. It is so beautiful. My fav. part of the song is this

    Such a long long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.

    Simply beautiful because it is so significant. That one line represents in my opinion how long you have on earth but how short it can pass by. Make it the best. I love this.

    AlexDeadHeadon June 30, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i guess phil wrote this when riding in a car to see his father fo the last time... sad song:(

    fikuson June 14, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    One of my favorite Dead songs

    demo0043on August 15, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    for some reason i always interpreted the last lines ("such a long long time to be gone/and a short time to be there") a bit differently from others, it seems. i always took it as like when you go somewhere and you're gone for a while but while you're there it doesn't seem like very long to you, but to the people who are missing you it is a long time. if that makes sense. i think the other interpretation is a bit better though.

    curulunuon August 26, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Listening to this song never fails to cheer me up. I think its about not knowing what you're going to do in the future; having dreams or plans that don't always work out. But even when they don't, it's okay and eventually things will fall into place. "A box of rain will ease the pain." :)

    allonsy723on July 18, 2013   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.