I saw Grateful Dead play 48 times and only once did I see them play Dark Star. It was 32 years ago tonight. The version I saw was nothing to write home about and it was only the first verse (they finished it up a few nights later, but alas, I was not there). Nevertheless, I still remember the feeling the opening notes elicited in my mind. Fans devoted to a jamband will know the feeling.

In honor of my only Dark Star, here is a favorite version from 1971, by the sorely missed YouTuber chasefukuoka61.

Dark star crashes

Pouring its light into ashes

Reason tatters

The forces tear loose from the axis

Searchlight casting

For faults in the clouds of delusion

Shall we go?

You and I while we can

Through

The transitive nightfall of diamonds

Mirror shatters

In formless reflections of matter

Glass hand dissolving

In ice petal flowers revolving

Lady in velvet

Recedes in the nights of goodbye

Shall we go?

You and I while we can

Through

The transitive nightfall of diamonds