Page 134 Rex Jackson

His vibes were a great part of the positive direction of the Dead.

Sunrise

Gazing at the fire

burning by the water;

before he speaks

the world around us quiets .

With eyes as sharp as arrows,

turning to the fire

he clears the air

and cuts it with a feather.

Many in a circle

slowly ’round the fire,

when he is gone.

I want to know him better.

No one is forsaken

no one is a liar.

He plants the tree of life

on our foreheads with water.

He hums; there are drums,

four winds, rising suns.

We are singing and playing

I hear what he’s saying.

I remember breezes

from winds inside your body

keep me high.

Like I told you

I’ll sing to them this story

and know why.

Donna Godchaux

Donald Rex Jackson, who died in an automobile accident on September 5, 1976. He was 31 years old. Joining the Grateful Dead in the mid-’60s as an equipment technician, Jackson took over as road manager in 1976. Donna’s song ‘Sunrise’, recorded on the album Terrapin Station, was written following a sunrise ceremony conducted by Rolling Thunder for the Grateful Dead family in memory of Jackson.

Photo Credits: Rex – Rosie McGee, Family – Betty Cantor-Jackson, Crew – Elliot Newhouse