Box of Rain is a classic among classics from the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album.
Sung by bassist Phil Lesh, words by Robert Hunter, it is a comfort song for Lesh's father as he lay dying in a hospital. It is an action song...the listener is advised to do things - look out of any window, walk out of any doorway, look into any eyes, walk into splintered sunlight. Experience your world, both externally and internally, observe the moments passing through your soul and let it help you on your journey to the other side. I am here if you need help, what do you want me to do? Also, there is a box of rain here in case you need it. Like if you get stuck, you can start by considering the weather as the canvas you use to fill with your visions. Is it rainy? Sunny? Windy? Maybe it will take your mind off the pain if you can visualize yourself somewhere else. Or, maybe it's a box you can crawl into, filled with all the worlds you can imagine.
I sometimes think of a box of kleenex. A box of tears (rain). This way when Phil sings I don't know who put it there, I can tell him it was a hospital employee.
If you ever feel blue, put this song on right away, and I hope you will feel better. And think about these last lyrics:
Such a long long time to be gone
and a short time to be there
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