Dead Songs in Depth

    
Two Djinn
w: Weir, Gerrit Graham; m: Weir
LASF: http://www.whitegum.com/songfile/TWODJINN.HTM
  

    
Two Djinn

Lyrics: Bob Weir, Gerrit Graham
Music: Bob Weir

    Out on the road in West Marin
    In a cloud of dust I met two djinn
    One was bright as pride and thin
    The other was fat and black as sin
    Isn't this how all good tales begin

    The big one looked a lot like you
    The other one looked just like you too
    They wound me round, they ran me through (note 1)
    A score of lies they swore were true
    Isn't that what genies always do

    Night come sudden, dawn be soon
    Bide my time by the dark of the moon
    My strange heroes lead me on
    But when I get there they'll be gone

    Ever since I was a pup
    Deal was I'd sing before I'd sup
    My silver spoon's this beggar's cup
    And when it's empty I fill up
    All I have to do is just show up (note 2)

    The prophet said all flesh is grass
    He had a soul like old stained glass
    A smile as sweet as sasafrass
    Well that ol' boy can kiss my ass
    Who the hell can wait for life to pass

    [chorus]

    I'm going to Adam's home in a world that we can't see
    To sing drunk with the angels, play again for free
    The way that is no way is calling you to me
    If we don't believe together, we might just cease to be

    Way down by the shining gate
    The djinn revealed to me my fate
    You and I, we've got a date
    I'll be there, but you'll be late
    Maybe things really comes to those that wait

    Those two djinn they couldn't stay
    Chased away by dawn's first rays (note 3)
    They called back as they ran away
    They told me, "Have a real fine day"
    Isn't that what genies always say?

    [chorus]

    [chorus]

    A short while back the door flung wide
    We all saw good luck on the other side
    The door blew shut but here's the deal
    Dreams are lies, it's the dreaming that's real

    It's the dreaming that's real
    Dreams are lies, it's the dreaming that's real
    Dreaming that's real

    It's the dreaming that's real
    Dreaming that's real
    Dreaming that's real
    Dreaming that's real
    [etc]
  

    
very interesting lyric
  

    
Is there a version recorded?
  

    
Rstdog's excellent cd EVENING MOODS
  

    
I like the TRI video version by Scaring the Children. I'm trying to
learn the song as a surprise for a friend, but the available youtube
versions are all a little different. Someone has posted a chord
chart on ratdog.org, but someone else has posted Bob's chord
inversions on the bulletin board at rukind.org, and they sound spot
on. 

However, trying to put together the whole thing is giving me a
headache! I need Mr. Weir to stop by and show me what he's doing, if
anybody could arrange that.
  

    
Absolutely love this song, lyrics and esp. the arrangement that
Bobby uses...very evocative and haunting...a great tune