Rubin and Cherise -- Cats Under The Stars, 1978 (Garcia Solo)

This song was also recorded as "Reuben and Cerise," on the 1979 Hunter solo album
Jack O' Roses. The expanded lyrics appear here, after the original lyrics.

Cherise was brushing her long gently down
It was the afternoon of Carnival
as she brushes it gently down

Rubin was strumming the painted mandolin
It was inlaid with a pretty face in jade
Played the Carnival Parade

Cherise was dressing as Pirouette in white
when a fatal vision gripped her tight
Cherise, beware tonight

Rubin, Rubin, tell me truly true
I feel afraid and I don't know why I do
Is there another girl for you?

If you could see in my heart
you would know it's true
there is none, Cherise, except for you --
except for you
I swear it on my very soul
If I lie may I fall down cold

When Rubin played the painted mandolin
the breeze would pause to listen in
before going its way again

Masquerade began when nightfall finally woke
Like waves against the bandstand dancers broke
to the painted mandolin

Looking out on the crowd, who is standing there?
Sweet Ruby Claire at Rubin stared
At Rubin stared
She was dressed as Pirouette in red
and her hair hung gently down

The crowd pressed 'round
Ruby stood as though alone
Rubin's song took on a different tune
and he played it just for her

The song he played was the Carnival Parade
Each note cut a thread of Cherise's fate
It cut through like a blade

Rubin was playing the painted mandolin
When Ruby froze and turned to stone
For the strings played all alone

original three verses:

The voice of Cherise from the face of the mandolin
singing: Rubin, Rubin, tell me true
for I have no one but you

If you could see in my heart
you would know it's true
There is none, Cherise, except for you --
except for you
I swear to it on my very soul
If I lie, may I fall down cold

The truth of love
an sung song must tell
The course of love must follow blind
without a look behind
Rubin walked through the streets
of New Orleans till dawn,
Cherise so lightly in his arms
and her hair hung gently down

expanded verses:

The voice of Cerise from the face of the mandolin
singing: Reuben, Reuben, tell me true
for I have no one but you

If you could see in my heart
you would know it's true
There is none, Cerise, except for you --
except for you

Reuben, swear to it on your very soul
If you lie I must fall down cold

Ahoy! Old Ferryman
Riverboat of Charon ride
Though alive, take Reuben to the other side
For his sweet Cerise has died

It's a long lonely walk from Hell
to the burying ground
Cerise may return
but don't you look around
for your glance would cut her down

The truth of love in an unsung song must tell
The course of love mu