There are 2 versions of this song. There is the Robert Hunter version, "Reuben and Cerise" that includes the information that Cerise DIES because of Reubens betrayal and that he carries "the ghost of Cerise in his empty arms, and her hair hung gently down", and the Garcia version, "Rubin and Cherise" that ignores this fact. Contrary to what people like "guitargabe" might think, this song has a WHOLE LOT of meaning and symbolism packed into it. Hunter himself would never want to suggest that there is only one correct interpretation of his lyrics, but he does admit to being heavily influenced by archetypal symbols in his "storytelling". Songs like Reuben and Cerise, Althea, Terrapin Station, Scarlet Begonias, and others share MANY symbolic links to the concept of the Anima.
There are 2 versions of this song. There is the Robert Hunter version, "Reuben and Cerise" that includes the information that Cerise DIES because of Reubens betrayal and that he carries "the ghost of Cerise in his empty arms, and her hair hung gently down", and the Garcia version, "Rubin and Cherise" that ignores this fact. Contrary to what people like "guitargabe" might think, this song has a WHOLE LOT of meaning and symbolism packed into it. Hunter himself would never want to suggest that there is only one correct interpretation of his lyrics, but he does admit to being heavily influenced by archetypal symbols in his "storytelling". Songs like Reuben and Cerise, Althea, Terrapin Station, Scarlet Begonias, and others share MANY symbolic links to the concept of the Anima.