Franklin's Tower
Grateful Dead · Dick's Picks Vol. 33--Oakland Coliseum Stadium, Oakland, Ca 10/9 & 10/ [2004]
Your eyes looked from your mother's face
Wallflower seed on the sand and stone
May the four winds blow you safely home.
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
I'll tell you where the four winds dwell
In Franklin's tower there hangs a bell
It can ring, turn night to day
It can ring like fire when you loose your way.
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
God save the child that rings that bell
It may have one good ring, baby, you can't tell
One watch by night, one watch by day
If you get confused listen to the music play.
(instrumental)
Some come to laugh their past away
Some come to make it just one more day
Whichever way your pleasure tends
If you plant ice you're gonna harvest the wind.
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
In Franklin's tower the four winds sleep
Like four lean hounds the lighthouse keep
Wildflower seed on the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again.
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
You'd better roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
Roll away the dew
You'd better roll away the dew - roll away.
Franklin's Tower
Franklin's Tower stands as a cornerstone of the Grateful Dead's expansive catalog, a song that blends psychedelic rock with a haunting, folk-infused melody. Originally written by Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, the track has become a staple of their live performances, often appearing in extended improvisational sets that showcase the band's signature interplay. While the studio versions offer a polished take, the recording featured here from the Dick's Picks Vol. 33 captures the energy of a live performance at the Oakland Coliseum in 2004, reflecting the band's enduring ability to reinterpret classic material with fresh vigor. The song's lyrical themes of isolation and longing resonate deeply within the band's broader body of work, serving as a poignant reminder of their commitment to storytelling through music. Its enduring popularity ensures its place in the collective memory of fans and musicians alike.