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Deal Lyrics
Since it cost a lot to win
and even more to lose
You and me bound to spend some time
wondring what to choose
Goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
I been gambling here abouts
for ten good solid years
If I told you all that went down
it would burn off both your ears
It goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
Since you poured the wine for me
and tightend up my shoes
I hate to leave you sittin there
composin lonesome blues
It goes to show you don't ever know
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
Don't you let that deal go down, no
Don't you let your deal go down
and even more to lose
You and me bound to spend some time
wondring what to choose
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
for ten good solid years
If I told you all that went down
it would burn off both your ears
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
and tightend up my shoes
I hate to leave you sittin there
composin lonesome blues
Watch each card you play
and play it slow
Wait until your deal come round
Don't you let that deal go down
Don't you let that deal go down, no
Don't you let your deal go down
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Out on tour, and running hot, you knew what this song meant.
Jerry always spoke straight.
Either way it goes for you out here, you will pay a price, so think before you act...
Jerry had been gamblin there, for more than ten good solid years, more like 30... and yes, if anyone could here every story, it would burn off both their ears.
He says, since you poured the wine for me..... Hate to see you singin lonesome (prison) blues.
Asking us to please be safe and smart. Watch each card you play, and please children... Play it slow!!
You and me gotta spend some time!
Well put harmony7777...someone's got to turn the page.
Well put harmony7777...someone's got to turn the page.
Maybe, it could deal with cards and doing some gambling, I think he might of wrote this while playing cards with the other members
Robert Hunter was big on western outlaw and gambler themes... and I think that harmony hit the connotations on the head...
I feel this to be about making careful decisions that don't result in a win or a loss for anyone, because a win for you is another man's loss. Such is the nature of gambling, you have to value yourself more than someone else in order to feel good about taking their money. I doubt this is an anti-gambling tune, but the first line "it costs a lot to win and even more to lose" speaks a lot to this negative view of gambling, but the tip to "watch each card you play" certainly doesn't discourage gambling.
http://www.allmusic.com/song/deal-mt0003692033/lyrics
This is a funny song... i like how the grateful dead has songs that reference old country or folk or blues songs, with their own lyrics in place. It always seems like double entendre, but also like sage advice.