Althea Lyrics & Chords By Grateful Dead

I told Althea I was feeling lost
Lacking in some direction
Althea told me upon scrutiny
That my back might need protection

I told Althea that treachery
Was tearing me limb from limb
Althea told me "Now, cool down, boy
Settle back easy, Jim"

You may be Saturday's child all grown
Moving with a pinch of grace
You may be a clown in the burial ground
Or just another pretty face

You may be the fate of Ophelia
Sleeping and perchance to dream
Honest to the point of recklessness
Self-centered to the extreme

Ain't nobody "messing with you" but you
Your friends are getting most concerned
Loose with the truth, maybe it's your fire
Baby, don't get burned

"When the smoke has cleared," she said
That's what she said to me
"You're gonna want a bed to lay your head
And a little sympathy"

There are things you can replace
And others you cannot
The time has come to weigh those things
This space is getting hot
You know this space is getting hot

I told Althea, "I'm a roving sign"
That I was born to be a bachelor
Althea told me, "OK that's fine"
So now I'm trying to catch her

Can't talk to you without talking to me
We're guilty of the same old things
Thinking a lot about less and less
And forgetting the love we bring