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Grateful Dead Fire On The Mountain Steal Your Face Flag 3’X5′. $11.95
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This 3×5 Flags is Single Sided, the images and lettering are Viewable and Readable and show in reverse on the opposite side in a lighter shade. Double Stitched. Brass Grommets.
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“Fire on the Mountain” is one of the Grateful Dead’s most iconic and beloved songs. Also blending mystical imagery with hypnotic grooves. Here’s a breakdown of its history, meaning, and legacy:
🔥 Overview
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Title: Fire on the Mountain
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Lyrics by: Robert Hunter
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Music by: Mickey Hart
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First performed live: March 18, 1977, at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco
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First album appearance: Shakedown Street (1978)
🎵 Musical Style & Structure
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Style: A reggae-influenced, spacey jam tune with a steady groove that lent itself well to long improvisations.
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Structure: Typically paired live with Scarlet Begonias in a famous sequence known as “Scarlet > Fire.”
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Tempo: Also, Mid-tempo with a hypnotic, percussive rhythm, reflecting Mickey Hart’s deep percussion influence.
📝 Lyrics & Interpretation
Robert Hunter’s lyrics for “Fire on the Mountain” are poetic, open to interpretation. Also steeped in mythical and emotional imagery. Themes include:
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Warning and urgency: The line “Fire on the mountain, run, boys, run” echoes old folk and blues traditions, evoking danger and upheaval.
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Desire and loss: Thus, the Lyrics explore the costs of ambition and desire (“Long distance runner, what you standing there for?”).
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Transformation and chaos: The fire could symbolize inner transformation, revolution, or psychedelic awakening.
Hunter once said it was a “cowboy song at the end of the world,” open-ended and timeless.
🪘 Mickey Hart’s Influence
Unusually for a Grateful Dead song, the music was written by drummer Mickey Hart before Hunter added lyrics. Thus tune first appeared instrumentally as “Happiness Is Drumming” on Hart’s 1976 solo album Diga, recorded with the Diga Rhythm Band.
🔄 Live Legacy
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“Fire on the Mountain” became a live staple, often stretched beyond 10–15 minutes with extensive jamming.
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The Scarlet > Fire combo is especially cherished by fans, noted for its seamless transitions and emotional highs.
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Legendary versions include:
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May 8, 1977 – Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
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October 31, 1980 – Radio City Music Hall (NYC)
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🔥 Cultural Impact
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The phrase “Fire on the Mountain” has roots in traditional folk songs and Appalachian music.
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It also inspired visual art, tattoos, posters, and countless cover versions.
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The song remains a favorite in post-Grateful Dead bands like Dead & Company and Phil Lesh & Friends.
Finally
Summary Table
Feature | Details |
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Lyricist | Robert Hunter |
Composer | Mickey Hart |
Debut | March 18, 1977 |
Album version | Shakedown Street (1978) |
Live pairing | Often with Scarlet Begonias |
Themes | Urgency, desire, myth, psychedelic transformation |
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