Songs
Song Book – I’ve been working on the the Deadstein songbook for what seems like my entire adult life. It contains most of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia repertoire so I’ve been calling it the Jerry Garcia Song Book, and it is now in about it’s 5th addition in print. Print versions are archived here online in our Deadstein blog.
For access to the songbook’s individual song PDF’s in an online database, go to the Deadstein’s website at:
http://deadstein.com/songs.asp
In addition to the PDFs from the songbook, there is an ever expanding list of other band’s songs charted out which are not related directly to Jerry Garcia. Additionally, provided are links to Youtube videos of the various songs as well as musics lessons when they can be located. Finally there is:
- a Filtered Song Randomizer used to help bands select songs during a set (best used on the iPhone. Whip it out during a jam and stop the band’s arguments); and,
- a Quick Access Page to get you to the songs quickly during a jam (best used on an iPad and easier than flipping through a giant PDF of songs)
Jerry Garcia Song Book V.9 – released July 31, 2014
Jerry Garcia Song Book V.8 – released February 5, 2012
- PDF – Print Version including Supplement Packet v.2 and section tabs
- PDF – Print Version – page breaks and section tabs – (Word)
On December 5, 2009 I did major work on the previous version of the song book and had several copies printed for band members for use during the jam. It has made a difference in the jam. Click here if you want to read about the release of this printed version of the book. It was a major hard-copy release.
In addition to the Deadstein play book above, I occasionally will put together some songs we don’t do and thrash them out. These songs are contained in the Deadstein supplemental packet linked below. There are lots of Beatles songs here, Pink Floyd, Who and several others.
- Deadstein Packet 3 with Tabs 2013-01-01 – This is the non-Grateful Dead, JGB, etc. packet of songs we really don’t play. – PDF Format.
The Jerry Garcia Song Book (Version 9) is a comprehensive fake book compilation designed for musicians to perform songs associated with Jerry Garcia’s illustrious career, spanning his work with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band (JGB), Old & In the Way, Legion of Mary, and various collaborations or covers he championed. Clocking in at 352 pages, it’s a treasure trove for Deadheads and jam band enthusiasts, focusing on live performance setups rather than note-for-note transcriptions. This makes it ideal for band rehearsals or gigs, where improvisation and feel are key—much like Garcia’s own ethos of music as a living, breathing entity.
Overview of Contents
The book opens with a detailed table of contents listing 346 songs, numbered sequentially across Pages 2-3. These include Grateful Dead staples, Garcia’s solo material, bluegrass tunes from his folk roots, blues covers, rock standards, and eclectic choices reflecting his influences from jazz, reggae, country, and psychedelia. Notable highlights:
- Grateful Dead Originals: Classics like “Althea,” “Bertha,” “Bird Song,” “Black Peter,” “Box of Rain,” “Brokedown Palace,” “Brown Eyed Women,” “Casey Jones,” “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider,” “Dark Star,” “Deal,” “Eyes of the World,” “Franklin’s Tower,” “Friend of the Devil,” “He’s Gone,” “Help on the Way > Slipknot!,” “Jack Straw,” “Loser,” “Morning Dew,” “Playing in the Band,” “Ramble on Rose,” “Ripple,” “Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain,” “Shakedown Street,” “Ship of Fools,” “Stella Blue,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Sugaree,” “Tennessee Jed,” “Terrapin Station,” “They Love Each Other,” “Touch of Grey,” “Truckin’,” “U.S. Blues,” “Uncle John’s Band,” and “Wharf Rat.”
- Jerry Garcia Band and Solo Favorites: Tracks like “After Midnight,” “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox,” “Cats Under the Stars,” “Deal,” “Mission in the Rain,” “Run for the Roses,” “Rubin and Cherise,” and “Simple Twist of Fate.”
- Covers and Traditional Tunes: A mix of Bob Dylan songs (“All Along the Watchtower,” “Desolation Row,” “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Positively 4th Street,” “Tangled Up in Blue,” “Visions of Johanna”), blues standards (“Big Boss Man,” “Deep Elem Blues,” “Hard to Handle,” “Little Red Rooster,” “The Thrill Is Gone”), rock/pop hits (“Day Tripper,” “Get Back,” “Hey Jude” wait no, that’s not listed—stick to actuals like “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Gloria,” “Lay Down Sally,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together”), folk/bluegrass (“Arkansas Traveler,” “Freight Train,” “Jack-A-Roe,” “Panama Red,” “Shady Grove”), and reggae-infused (“The Harder They Come,” “Stir It Up,” “Stop That Train”).
- Unique Entries: Some songs have variations (e.g., “Brokedown Palace” in F and G keys, “Ship of Fools” in C and Bb), medleys (e.g., “Baba O’Riley > Tomorrow Never Knows,” “Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain”), or instrumentals (“Dawg’s Waltz,” “King Solomon’s Marbles > Stronger Than Dirt > Milking the Turkey”).
The bulk of the book (starting from Page 5) dedicates individual pages or spreads to each song in fake book format: chord charts (e.g., | E7 / / / | % | for repeats), lyrics, structure breakdowns (intro, verses, choruses, leads/jams), and occasional tabs or notations for intros/outros. For example:
- “After Midnight” includes an optional “Eleanor Rigby” interlude jam, reflecting Garcia’s penchant for weaving in Beatles influences during live sets.
- “Aiko-Aiko” (a New Orleans traditional often jammed out by the Dead) has extended verses with alternate lyrics, plus a tab for the ending riff.
- “Alabama Getaway” details the fast-paced rock structure with a tabbed intro lick.
- “All Along the Watchtower” captures the Dylan/Hendrix vibe Garcia loved, with simple minor-key progressions for extended solos.
- “Alligator” (a Pigpen-era Dead tune) includes quirky lyrics about a mischievous reptile, with a bluesy E-A/E tab section.
Blank pages are noted (e.g., 47, 81, 179, 189, 253), likely for user annotations or future expansions.
Background and Significance
Jerry Garcia (1942–1995) was the heart of the Grateful Dead, a band that revolutionized rock with psychedelic experimentation, endless jamming, and a fusion of genres. This songbook embodies his vast repertoire—over 30 years of touring yielded sets drawing from American roots music. Many songs carry deeper meanings: “Dark Star” symbolizes cosmic exploration and improvisation (lyrics evoking space and mystery); “Ripple” reflects Zen-like impermanence (“If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine…”); “Box of Rain” was written for Phil Lesh’s dying father, pondering life’s cycles; “He’s Gone” laments the loss of band manager Lenny Hart but evolved into a tribute for departed friends. Covers like “All Along the Watchtower” nod to Dylan’s apocalyptic warnings, which Garcia interpreted with fiery, Hendrix-inspired guitar work. The book’s fake book style mirrors how Garcia approached music—not rigid, but as a framework for spontaneous creation in live settings.
Playing Advice for Live Settings
As an expert, I’ll emphasize Garcia’s style: fluid, melodic leads with blue notes, mixolydian modes, and chromatic runs; always prioritize groove over perfection. Use this book as a launchpad for jams—extend solos, modulate keys, or segue into other tunes (e.g., “China Cat” into “Rider”).
- Guitar Players: Focus on Garcia’s tone (warm overdrive, reverb) and phrasing—bend strings expressively, use pentatonic/blues scales for leads. For “Alabama Getaway,” nail the intro bend (10b to 12p10) with a Strat or Les Paul-style guitar; practice alternate picking for speed. In jams, layer arpeggios over chords, and listen to bandmates for call-response.
- Bassists: Lock in with roots and fifths, but add walking lines like Phil Lesh—e.g., in “Alligator,” descend chromatically (E to A) to build tension. Use a pick for punchy attack; during jams, mirror the drummer’s kick while outlining changes.
- Drummers: Garcia tunes thrive on polyrhythms—steady 4/4 with syncopated fills (e.g., Bill Kreutzmann’s style). In “Aiko-Aiko,” emphasize the second-line shuffle (hi-hat on upbeats); add cowbell or rimshots for flavor. For extended jams, build dynamics gradually, using toms for transitions.
- Keyboardists: Emulate Brent Mydland or Bruce Hornsby—organ swells (B3 sound) for texture, piano stabs for rhythm. In “After Midnight,” comp with 7th chords (E7 to G); layer Rhodes electric piano for bluesy warmth. Improvise fills in open spaces, harmonizing with guitar leads.
- Vocalists: Garcia’s voice was raspy and soulful—sing with emotion, not power. Harmonize in thirds/fifths for choruses (e.g., “Friend of the Devil”); interpret lyrics personally, like the existential longing in “Stella Blue.” Practice breath control for long phrases, and ad-lib during fades.
This songbook is a must-have for capturing Garcia’s spirit—grab your instrument, form a circle, and let the music play the band!
my Steal Your Space book 
Jan 18, 2010 @ 17:49:05
I posted the curent versions of the song books on the the Songs page today (1-18-2010). There was a major release of these two song books at then end of 2009 and the posting of them on this page represents the beginning of storing song information on this page. In posting these updates I moved the few lagging GD/JGB songs that were in the Supplemental Packet from 12/2009 to the current Jerry Garcia Song Book. The songs that were moved include Crazy Love, Gimme Some Loving, Gloria, Let’s Spend the Night Together, Twilight, The Weight.
Feb 04, 2010 @ 14:19:52
Updated the current version of the songbooks on 2-4-2010 which has an re-written If I had the World to Give.
Dec 07, 2010 @ 00:12:24
Updated the supplemental song book to include the Abbey Road medley in the Beatles section.
Dec 27, 2010 @ 14:38:01
The Supplemental Packet of songs was updated now to include six new Beatles songs including: Back in the USSR, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Hard Day’s Night, Hey Bulldog, One After Nine-O-Nine, Things We Said Today. For you trivia buffs, the Things We Said Today was played by Deadstein in its very early years and and was our first Beatles song attempted, that wasn’t one done by Jerry, and it hasn’t seen the light of day since.
Apr 16, 2011 @ 08:47:54
Thanks fo all you’ve done through the years – I used your resourses (hard work!) often and am very grateful!
Bill
Jan 18, 2012 @ 14:44:12
I agree with Bill. Your book is the definitive resource for us. The single page format is fantastic. I know it was a labor of love, but it was a labor none the less. I have a big binder sitting in my jam area with your reference.
Thanks so much.
Joe
Feb 05, 2012 @ 12:21:56
Joe, thanks for the kind words. I just put a lot of effort into updating the book for creating a print version for the band. There are several new songs added and improvements in legibility for most others.. Down load the new links.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 14:07:55
Hey now-
I modified your Garcia/Dead book for to be more useful on a tablet, and would be glad to send you the file if you wish. I eliminated the printable index tab pages (A,B,C,…), and instead created a table of contents where each song title is a clickable link to the page in question. I did this by going through the book in MS Word format and ensuring every page had a {tc} field code. I use a PDF version on my Android tablet during jams.
Mar 02, 2013 @ 17:15:06
I understand Jeff, but check out the following page which we use during our jams:
http://deadstein.com/songsjam.asp
Mar 18, 2013 @ 16:17:29
Hello..I’ve seen your book..nice work.how do i email it to kinko’s? and which version is latest? I play in Unlimited Devotion and will sure come in handy? Looks like word is easier to read? any suggestions? thanx Joni B.
Mar 22, 2013 @ 21:57:54
So is there a table of contents?
Mar 22, 2013 @ 21:58:47
That can be emailed or downloaded for the book?
Mar 26, 2013 @ 16:52:29
Hey Dude, your book is great! Wanted to point out a problem. Corina is wrong in the book, here is the part that needs to be corrected. I hope you make the change 🙂 Thanks again !
X 2
Em
If, what, when and where
*G F# D B
Told at the proper time
C
Big black wings beat at the wind
B7 A Em
But they don’t hardly climb
Em
There’s a silver ocean
*G F# D B
Silver clouds on a silver sea
C
A bird on the horizon
Em G
Silver wingin back to me
Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:07:36
Al, thanks for the kind words and correction. Check out what I did at:
http://deadstein.com/songs.asp (find Corina)
Let me know if you agree with the changes as per your help especially in the last 2 measures of the chorus. Thanks for your help and I’ll accept any additional insight you have. Peace.
Larry
Mar 28, 2013 @ 19:23:28
Joni:
There is no table of contents but you can see a listing at the link below if it helps:
http://deadstein.com/songs.asp
Larry
Mar 29, 2013 @ 06:23:54
Joni-
The version I made has a table of contents (see my other post above). I would be glad to provide a copy for hosting on deadstein.com
Mar 29, 2013 @ 06:25:26
Larry: The version at songsjam.asp is great *if* you have an internet connection during your gig/jam. This is not always the case.
Mar 29, 2013 @ 08:21:19
Good point Jeff about Internet Connection, it’s meant for that. l also load all my PDFs on my iPad using dropbox, which is a good solution. In reality, I use a paper book because of my paranoia of losing the iPad off a music stand. Funny, I had table of contents in previous versions of the book but was bothered by bandmates always looking at it during jams to figure out what to play. I therefore came up with my Randomizer:
http://deadstein.com/songrandomizer.asp
May 25, 2013 @ 09:37:59
Great job…ive made some songbooks too and know how much work it takes, so thank you much! Johnny10string
May 25, 2013 @ 12:15:50
Thanks for the kudos Johnny
Dec 05, 2013 @ 19:04:36
Thanks for all you do, man! The community really appreciates it. Dead played “Childhood’s End” on 12/16/94. Also, “Eternity” on 12/10/93 and 12/16/94, “Low Spark” on 8/17/04. Those are the only ones I could find missing.
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Feb 12, 2017 @ 13:46:36
You still have $35 copies available?if so I’d like one, don’t have paypal but can mail m.o. or pay w visa.. lmk ty
Jun 25, 2017 @ 14:32:44
Hey, I just wanted to thank you for all of your hard work compiling this — it’s fantastic! My wife and kids printed me out a copy for father’s day, and it’ll be a good friend for years to come 🙂
Jan 25, 2018 @ 10:17:53
I edited version 9 and added hyperlinks that work from the table of contents as well as adding hyperlinks back to toc1/toc2 on every page. Somebody who runs this site needs to give me an email address so I can send a copy to be shared. Nice work Deadstein on the original files. I USE them here in KY.
Feb 10, 2019 @ 15:38:28
I own the band grateful dead
Do I have so say more
Po box 5962
Rancho reserve can
Jason and Halle Garcia
Mar 29, 2019 @ 15:58:20
This book has been incredibly helpful to our band. I would like to point out a few corrections in the Break of Truckin’: I think it should be this:
|A/// | % | G/ D/ | A / |
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me.
|A/// | D/ A/ | G/ D/ | A / |
Other times I can barely see.
|D/// | Bm/ | F#/// | B5/ F#/ |
Lately it occurs to me,
|A/// | % | E/// |% |% |% |
What a long, strange trip it’s been
Mar 27, 2020 @ 21:45:03
hi looking for dead piano sheet music-if anyone has transcribed from concert, love the runs in ujb,friend of the devil, dark hollow
Aug 16, 2022 @ 22:15:28
Hello I’m very grateful for your efforts it’s making my gig work much easier thank you .Question is there any way of downloading the entire song list without having to do each one individually?
Sep 01, 2023 @ 14:47:32
Thank you so much for making your songbook available to those of us who love playing these beautiful songs. This book has been my go to for many years, and I really appreciate you sharing it. Grateful!
Jan 03, 2025 @ 15:58:22
Hey Deadstein, thanks for the book. I do have a correction for the walk-up intro in Night They Drove Old Dixie Down:
A string – 3
D string – 0 1 2 3
G string – 0 1 2
There’s also a D showing for one of the “nah nah nahs” and I believe it to be a G. But maybe not.
Jul 25, 2025 @ 12:08:35
Many thanks for the GD Jerry Garcia songbook. Is version 9 the latest & complete? Does it have all GD songs listed in your separate pdf download list? Great job & keep it up.
Any other similar song compilation of groups like CreamJethro Tull etc?