Robert Hunter wrote this song in 1970 in London in the same afternoon he wrote "Brokedown Palace" and "To Lay Me Down" (reputedly also drinking half a bottle of retsina in the process ). The song debuted August 18, 1970 at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Jerry Garcia wrote the music to this song.

Several lines throughout the song have been compared to the 23rd Psalm of the Bible.

The signature lines in this song were played by mandolin player David Grisman.

Cover versions have been recorded by Chris Hillman, Jane's Addiction (on Deadicated), The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rick Danko, Dar Williams, Built to Spill, Sally's Fiddle Boys, The McLovins. and The Walkmen. In July 2015, a collaborative cover version featuring multiple musicians from around the world was produced by Playing For Change ("a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music").

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