Have you ever wanted something
Wanted it so fuckin’ bad
That you’d lie, that you’d cheat
That you’d fight in the street
A chance to lose what little you had?
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
Maybe you know how I feel
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
But maybe to you, I don’t seem so real
I’ve been hearing for a long time
I still hear about some long-term plan
I ain’t gettin’ younger
Got tired of wandering
I was promised a rock and all I own is this sand1
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
Maybe you know how I feel
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
But maybe to you, I don’t seem so real
Time is only wasted
On talking that is taking life
When it all comes down
You’re really covering ground
I know I’ll get more done tonight
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
Maybe you know how I feel
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
But maybe to you, I don’t seem so real
Now you don’t owe me nothing
So don’t take it so personally
There’s only one way
To make it today
And I’m doing all I can for me
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
Maybe you know how I feel
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
But maybe to you, I don’t seem so real
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
Maybe you know how I feel
Maybe you know how I’m feeling
But maybe to you, I don’t seem so real
Words and music by Brent Mydland
An allusion to the biblical parable of stability versus instability found in Matthew 7:24–27:
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
No studio recording.
First performance: April 13, 1983, at the Patrick Gym, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. Garcia, Weir, and Lesh had left the stage prior to the song’s performance.