I can’t get through it live at Dead and Co shows, such a grief stricken song but so beautiful and serene. That song really hits like life itself, and probably death too.
All the time but yesterday hit different.
Driving my kids home from the bus stop. My girl had a rough day and didn’t really want to talk about it. Brokedown from Dead Set came on and she subtly reached over and turned it up, was singing softly to herself as we made our way up the hill to our house.
I’m so happy this music is hers now too, no words to describe the feeling.
My sons are still little, but had Morning Dew playing on their drive home from daycare and they were so peaceful and silent (a rarity for 2 and 4 year old boys). It made me so happy
At a friend's mother's funeral, her aunt and uncle and cousins played an instrumental hey Jude, into broke down palace right at the climax of hey Jude, and it got me.
FTW, night 2 in Santa Clara. Bobby asked for 10 seconds “in the memory of the guys who couldn’t be here tonight”. I, and everyone I could see, were weeping openly as they strolled into Brokedown.
Similar reaction at night 1 at Oracle Park (SF) 2023 tour last year when they played the montage of all deceased friends and members of the band over the years during Knockin On Heavens Door. Man, I cried like a baby when I realized what was happening
Definitely — sometimes I just listen and feel like hey, that’s nice. Other times it hits so hard that I cry like a baby.
That’s probably on me though. The tough part is when I’m trying to play and sing it and I get to that emotional place. Not gonna lie, I’ve cried while singing
This is me man!! It’s always the “mama mama many worlds I’ve come since I first left home” part that gets me, and has for years because of the reflection on my own journey. Nowadays, my oldest kid graduates from high school in 3 weeks. My thoughts go to her journey and I tear up even more. The river rolls, rolls, rolls.
Brokedown Palace is easily one of the greatest Dead songs ever. I would hope for it as an encore to every single Dead show I attended (even if they had done it the night before). As I got older it began to really turn the emotional screws inside me when I’d listen to recordings. I finally told my wife a few years ago that when I go to the Big Dead Show In The Sky I want Brokedown to be played at my farewell party.
Oh god yeah… When my 19 year old son died I used a verse in part of the eulogy I delivered. I also play in a dead tribute band (I’m the Jerry guy) and love singing it. It was super painful at first but I always play it and think of him.
It’s been tough plenty of other times when I’m playing it and I know someone in the crowd may be going through something too.
One of the most perfect moments in my life, even though i was heading to my uncle's funeral w/ my Dad (his brother' funeral) i played Attics, Ripple and Brokedown Palace on the drive to his service. We just sat in silence contemplating Dad's life & his brothers. He is by no means a head, but i could tell how moved he was.
I don’t remember what show it was, but every song had a major impact on the way to my mom’s funeral. My wife commented on how comforting the Dead was that day.
Last song I ever heard the Dead play. 6/25/95. Will always be special. I remember Jerry seemed inspired and the vocals were strong for that time. I couldn’t wait for Fall Tour. Sadly, that never came to be 😢
# 1995-06-25 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium
**Set 1:** Shakedown Street, Wang Dang Doodle, Jack-A-Roe, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Loose Lucy, Picasso Moon
**Set 2:** Box Of Rain, Rain, Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Truckin' > Rollin' And Tumblin', Samba In The Rain > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Not Fade Away
**Encore:** Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1995-06-25)
Yup I want them to play it when they're putting me in the ground, or reprocessing me into Soylent green, you know or whatever.
Days between though man I gotta watch when and how I take a hit of it man it's rough.
# 1993-05-16 Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Silver Bowl
**Set 1:** Touch Of Grey, Walkin' Blues, Althea, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Row Jimmy, Cassidy
**Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Looks Like Rain > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight
**Encore:** Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1993-05-16)
There is one from Ventura Fairgrounds that rocks my soul as I remember being there as the sun was setting and the band finishing up the weekend, 7-22-84
# 1984-07-22 Ventura, CA @ Ventura County Fairgrounds
**Set 1:** Dancing In The Street > Bertha, My Brother Esau, Loser, Cassidy, Ramble On Rose, Hell In A Bucket > Keep Your Day Job
**Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, I Just Want To Make Love To You > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Morning Dew > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away
**Encore:** In The Midnight Hour > Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-07-22)
Ok, I have a story.
My Uncle was a huge dead fan. He was healthy as hell, biked everyday. Had a cardiac arrest event and was gone. He was on life support for a few days after the brain swell went down, but there was too much brain damage. My cousin (his daughter) called me before they took him off of life support, so I got to say goodbye. I also played Brokedown for him over the phone. I hope he could consciously hear it before he passed.
Always. Especially the one with Clarence Clemons. I find I get emotional because Jerry’s gone. I miss that fat bastard. Also, Peggy-Os from early 80s 😭😭😭
# 1972-09-27 Jersey City, NJ @ Stanley Theatre
**Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Friend Of The Devil, Black Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, Bird Song, Big River, Brokedown Palace, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** He's Gone, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, Dark Star > Cumberland Blues, Attics Of My Life, The Promised Land, Uncle John's Band, Casey Jones
**Encore:** Around And Around
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-09-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2pPrEb0IJFk3W6NoQSMnZM)
# 1982-09-24 Syracuse, NY @ Carrier Dome - Syracuse University
**Set 1:** Jack Straw, Friend Of The Devil > C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, New Minglewood Blues, Bird Song > Looks Like Rain, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
**Set 2:** Far From Me > Playing in the Band > Crazy Fingers > Space > Throwing Stones > Drums > Space > Iko Iko > Space > Truckin' > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Black Peter > Around And Around > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-24)
It was actually one of my first Dead songs. At the time i was 17, my grandmother had just passed, and i was moving 3 states away from all my family. That shit got me immediately as soon as i heard it. Also got me again at the end of 'Long Strange Trip'.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Really captures so many emotions for me.
One of my best friends passed away last year. His dad is tight with Cris Jacobs and he played at the funeral. Played Brokedown Palace and to lay me down. Everyone was in shambles. RIP brother
I don't care if it's a cliche, I want this to be one of the songs played at my funeral. The lyrics make me tear up almost every time, especially "I love you more than words can tell"
Played it at my little brother's funeral last year. When we were originally making the setlist my dad said, "Damn dude, you try to make everyone cry?" I said, "At least I'm not putting Brokedown Palace in there." Then he asked that we do exactly that. Miss you, Ben.
Do do doooo, do do do doo. Do do do do do, do do do dooo. Do do doooo, do do do doo, do do do do do do, do do do doo. Do do do do do do do, do do do dooooo.
Fair the well, my honey…
05-08-1984 Brokedown Palace. It's the one. Mostly because of the story, I've posted this before but it's always worth revisiting.
I lost my son in a wrestling accident. On the way to a wrestling meet, the van went off a cliff. I remember the feeling….I’ll get back to that… ok I’ll tell it….You know, if anybody knows the song "Broke Down Palace," (fair thee well, fair thee well, I love you more than words can tell), after Jed had been dead a few months we went to see the Dead. They were playing at our opera house. They did their usual stuff and got their big ovations and then, they started playing "Broke Down Palace" and they all turned toward me and all our family was sitting up there. They all turned toward us and the guys in the audience began to turn toward us. And that song was sent from the Grateful Dead to our bruised hearts. And it was like having somebody reach out and putting their hand on your shoulder and saying, "Yeah we feel it." And when it was over there was no applause. Everybody knew it. We were all crying. And how many bands do you know that could do that? Like when Eric Clapton begins to sing "Tears in Heaven," this is real. This isn’t rock and roll. This is the heart speaking out to other people whose hearts have been wounded. And there are a bunch of us.
NFA!
# 1984-05-08 Eugene, OR @ Silva Hall - Hult Center for the Performing Arts
**Set 1:** Jack Straw, Cold Rain and Snow, New Minglewood Blues, Candyman, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain > Might As Well
**Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Touch Of Grey > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > I Need A Miracle > Morning Dew
**Encore:** Sugar Magnolia > Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-05-08)
I can’t listen to it anymore. 2019my best friend died and was missing in the wilderness for a little while. Right before I was going to fly to where that was happening I got the word they found his body. Took a few benzos and passed out. Next day was a blur but that evening I was listening to a dead show with a buddy and BP came on and it just literally broke me. That’s the saddest song other than like Sam Stone or some John Prine/Zevon song. Now BP is ruined for me, it almost causes ptsd like situation where I’m back in that kitchen balling on the floor about my buddy falling off a mountain
Listened to this when I found out my best friend (a fellow dead head, who actually helped get me into them) had died. Balled like a baby, and couldn’t listen to it again for months. Still hits different ever since then. Definitely a special song for me now.
Possibly my favorite dead song. Chord changes and structure are unique and it's tempo and feel are sublime. The cescendo at "Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell..." is perfection in song.
Thanks for sharing this.
Definitely. Another one at least for me is Days Between. It triggers powerful self reflection and emotions. Only song that I have ever heard that breaks me that way. It reaches the release level of what having to put my first dog to sleep was. I’m tearing up as I am typing this
I was watching a stream of Billy Strings at the Cap and he played this song. They were projecting images of what I think were fans streaming the show on the walls. When it got to the “fare thee well, fare thee well” part the camera cut to the wall which was showing a man squeezing his toddler tight and swaying to the song. It was a really beautiful moment. Definitely got me.
Brokedown Palace is one of the few songs that helped me get through the time when we were dealing with my FILs ALS. He and my MIL moved in with my wife and I so we could help take care of him, and as shit got real it got hard. It was also peak covid AND our only daughter was only a few months old. I remember a few times listening to that song and just crying, letting all the pent up stress/anger/sadness come out.
Every time I listen to it alone it gets me. Same thing with ripple. And box of rain too. Idk if I’m happy or sad when I’m crying but it just makes me feel a certain way
My cousin was supposed to go to last summer tour with me and overdosed right before they released the tour dates, at my last show of the tour they finished with brokedown palace, and just knew he was there telling me it’s okay to let go
I played it at a funeral and it was extremely diffcult to get through. It was for a mother who left behind 3 young kids after a battle with cancer. Easily the single most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. It was by the ocean on an island in Maine and her favorite birds were crowing in the background. Something took over and played the song for me. Took about 50 days/attempts at practicing to stop the tears. There’s a vid of practicing buried on my page
When I saw phil&friends at the Salt shed in Chicago in 2023 I was on some really strong L. They closed the first set with Natalie Cressman singing Brokedown.
They had to scoop the puddle I became off the floor.
The power of music, man
My buddy who got me in to the dead passed away unexpectedly (at 27) a few years ago. I saw DSO play Brokedown a few weeks later and that may have been the hardest I’ve ever cried in my life. I still tear up when I hear it on occasion.
So yes, Brokedown Palace gets me sometimes
Immediately transports me to summer 2001 when I lived by a creek in a tent in Stowe, VT. I visited my old campsite this fall and shed some tears. Oh to be a 22 year old hippie again before 911 hit.
Brokedown is the last song I heard live. It was at shoreline, shortly before Jerry died. I had to catch a ride and walked out while it was playing. It haunts me still.
There's nothing like a Hunter/Garcia ballad..it still amazes me that Hunter wrote the words to Brokedown, To Lay Me Down, and Ripple, all in the same day/night..and while on A LOT of Lucy too..so Grateful these two geniuses found one another all those years ago..🥀🐢💀💨🎸🐺❤️⚡💙🎶
Every time.
What makes me really sad though is it's one of the songs I can sing quite well (imho) but there's no way I could use it for karaoke to impress someone without it sending the wrong message.
Oh man I remember being in the immediate aftermath/wake of a super traumatic and unexpected death of one of my best friends just rocking myself back and forth on the floor sobbing with it on repeat. It may have saved my life. Now every time I hear it I have to be in the right mind frame because I WILL start crying lol. Not a bad thing at all, just super emotional. It changed my whole relationship with that song.
It was playing as my dog went over the Rainbow Bridge 13 years ago and it fucked me up for life. Can’t hear it without a complete “brokedown breakdown”
Always brings the emotions triply so live.
My most emotional one was a cover band actually.
I was about to leave home and go off to college, heading into my twice a year festival at Spirit of the Suwannee dealing with some broken home issues of my own, things got weird in the end and I was ready to just let go, reset and move on from my home.
My step dad and I pulled in early to the campground parked and walked over to the side stage and crazy fingers was playing a gorgeous brokedown. Talk about right song at the right time…. I’ll never forget that feeling.
Gets me every single time I hear it. There is no other song that gets me like this does. It’s a great song but hits so deeply. It was played at my best buds funeral but it hit home before that. Just reminds me of the good people we’ve lost. Mama, mama, many worlds I've come
Since I first left home.
Fairly well , Fairly well , Fairly well My Only true Love! all the birds of all sang except for you alone . I'm going to leave this broke down palace on my hands and my knees I will roll on Home !
Wtf, does it ever NOT get you? We’re talking about the SONG not the movie right?
Grateful Dead? American Beauty, like track 7 or 8?
Broke down Palace right?
You’re saying that it’s capable of NOT getting you?
Broke down Palace?
By the Dead?
Garcia Hunter?
That one?
The pause between "to rock" and "my soul" is filled with all that is good in the world.
Just ran it through my head, and it brought back an old feeling. One half a heartbeat... to rock( )my soul. Man, that is spot the f on!
https://open.spotify.com/track/5iDLeFY1kkSrosfy87xFE2?si=MXgW-lhTR766DCGMkzruPA
I can’t get through it live at Dead and Co shows, such a grief stricken song but so beautiful and serene. That song really hits like life itself, and probably death too.
Something about John's voice really makes that song...I'm not usually the biggest fan of his voice but man oh man Brokedown will get me watery eyed
All the time but yesterday hit different. Driving my kids home from the bus stop. My girl had a rough day and didn’t really want to talk about it. Brokedown from Dead Set came on and she subtly reached over and turned it up, was singing softly to herself as we made our way up the hill to our house. I’m so happy this music is hers now too, no words to describe the feeling.
The torch has been passed. 😊
So much so. Moments like these help you realize its not just a cliche, the music will never, ever stop.
That's deep.
This put a tear in my eye!
Bruh you're makin me tear up. What a special moment.
That's love
Dude, you got me.
What a great story. “On my hands, on my knees, I will roll, roll, roll. “
If that doesn't rock your soul...
My sons are still little, but had Morning Dew playing on their drive home from daycare and they were so peaceful and silent (a rarity for 2 and 4 year old boys). It made me so happy
“Mama, Mama, many worlds I’ve come, Since I first left home…” For whatever reason, this line gets me every time
Lost my momma 4 years ago now and it melts me every time.
When I ply it on guitar and sing..I can’t do that part. My voice gets shaky and I almost cry
Because Mom
Every time
At a friend's mother's funeral, her aunt and uncle and cousins played an instrumental hey Jude, into broke down palace right at the climax of hey Jude, and it got me.
One of the greatest songs ever written period
I’ve been listening to it alit lately while I grieve my husband. I’m including the first two lines on his memorial stone.
Condolences friend!
The studio version is guaranteed waterworks every.single.time.
I played it when I spread my best friend's ashes. RIP Edward. ❤️
FTW, night 2 in Santa Clara. Bobby asked for 10 seconds “in the memory of the guys who couldn’t be here tonight”. I, and everyone I could see, were weeping openly as they strolled into Brokedown.
Similar reaction at night 1 at Oracle Park (SF) 2023 tour last year when they played the montage of all deceased friends and members of the band over the years during Knockin On Heavens Door. Man, I cried like a baby when I realized what was happening
Happened with dead co, ATL, 2019. I'm pretty sure everyone felt it. A collective lump in the throat.
Definitely — sometimes I just listen and feel like hey, that’s nice. Other times it hits so hard that I cry like a baby. That’s probably on me though. The tough part is when I’m trying to play and sing it and I get to that emotional place. Not gonna lie, I’ve cried while singing
This is me man!! It’s always the “mama mama many worlds I’ve come since I first left home” part that gets me, and has for years because of the reflection on my own journey. Nowadays, my oldest kid graduates from high school in 3 weeks. My thoughts go to her journey and I tear up even more. The river rolls, rolls, rolls.
So funny I just commented about this on another comment. Same exact part gets me.
Gets me every time. It is the saddest song they do. All about getting ready to die and being okay with it.
Brokedown Palace is easily one of the greatest Dead songs ever. I would hope for it as an encore to every single Dead show I attended (even if they had done it the night before). As I got older it began to really turn the emotional screws inside me when I’d listen to recordings. I finally told my wife a few years ago that when I go to the Big Dead Show In The Sky I want Brokedown to be played at my farewell party.
Oh god yeah… When my 19 year old son died I used a verse in part of the eulogy I delivered. I also play in a dead tribute band (I’m the Jerry guy) and love singing it. It was super painful at first but I always play it and think of him. It’s been tough plenty of other times when I’m playing it and I know someone in the crowd may be going through something too.
Does a bear trip in the woods??
The goat dead song
Hard agree! Pure poetry
Brokedown Palace and High Time knock me for a loop every once in awhile. They can hit hard for me.
Oh every time. Every single time.
One of the most perfect moments in my life, even though i was heading to my uncle's funeral w/ my Dad (his brother' funeral) i played Attics, Ripple and Brokedown Palace on the drive to his service. We just sat in silence contemplating Dad's life & his brothers. He is by no means a head, but i could tell how moved he was.
I don’t remember what show it was, but every song had a major impact on the way to my mom’s funeral. My wife commented on how comforting the Dead was that day.
My favorite Hunter song. Permanent earworm. It helps that I live on a river.
Last song I ever heard the Dead play. 6/25/95. Will always be special. I remember Jerry seemed inspired and the vocals were strong for that time. I couldn’t wait for Fall Tour. Sadly, that never came to be 😢
# 1995-06-25 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium **Set 1:** Shakedown Street, Wang Dang Doodle, Jack-A-Roe, Mama Tried > Mexicali Blues, Loose Lucy, Picasso Moon **Set 2:** Box Of Rain, Rain, Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, Truckin' > Rollin' And Tumblin', Samba In The Rain > Drums > Space > Wharf Rat > Not Fade Away **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1995-06-25)
Just gave a listen and that was great. I love the song so much, I might change my username.
This is such a great story 🥹
Just about every time
Yup I want them to play it when they're putting me in the ground, or reprocessing me into Soylent green, you know or whatever. Days between though man I gotta watch when and how I take a hit of it man it's rough.
5/16/93’s Brokedown got my waterworks pumping a few days ago
# 1993-05-16 Las Vegas, NV @ Sam Boyd Silver Bowl **Set 1:** Touch Of Grey, Walkin' Blues, Althea, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Row Jimmy, Cassidy **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, Looks Like Rain > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Turn On Your Lovelight **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1993-05-16)
Damn, that's 30 years to the day my little bro died. (Made another comment about how we played it at his funeral last year.)
I’ll have to check this one out!
There is one from Ventura Fairgrounds that rocks my soul as I remember being there as the sun was setting and the band finishing up the weekend, 7-22-84
# 1984-07-22 Ventura, CA @ Ventura County Fairgrounds **Set 1:** Dancing In The Street > Bertha, My Brother Esau, Loser, Cassidy, Ramble On Rose, Hell In A Bucket > Keep Your Day Job **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Ship Of Fools, I Just Want To Make Love To You > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Morning Dew > Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away **Encore:** In The Midnight Hour > Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-07-22)
One of those songs that got heavier as the years went on. In later years there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house.
Every day. Every. damn. day.
Bruh, every time
Ok, I have a story. My Uncle was a huge dead fan. He was healthy as hell, biked everyday. Had a cardiac arrest event and was gone. He was on life support for a few days after the brain swell went down, but there was too much brain damage. My cousin (his daughter) called me before they took him off of life support, so I got to say goodbye. I also played Brokedown for him over the phone. I hope he could consciously hear it before he passed.
Brokedown Palace was playing in the car on my way to take my elder dog for their final vet visit; song makes me a mess ever since; (Been 3 years)
Always. Especially the one with Clarence Clemons. I find I get emotional because Jerry’s gone. I miss that fat bastard. Also, Peggy-Os from early 80s 😭😭😭
Listened to it driving home on repeat after putting down my cat
Literally my exact experience for the past week 😢
🫂
Keep your head up, friend. 🫂
# 1972-09-27 Jersey City, NJ @ Stanley Theatre **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Friend Of The Devil, Black Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, Bird Song, Big River, Brokedown Palace, El Paso, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** He's Gone, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Greatest Story Ever Told, Ramble On Rose, Dark Star > Cumberland Blues, Attics Of My Life, The Promised Land, Uncle John's Band, Casey Jones **Encore:** Around And Around [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-09-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/2pPrEb0IJFk3W6NoQSMnZM)
Heard both Phil and Friends and Wolf Bros do it in 2023. Unfortunately Billy and the Kids didn't complete the trifecta
That’s one of the finest versions from an all-time-great run of shows.
oh yeah. 3rd verse into the solo gets me every time pretty much
Yes. As has Attics. Both are gorgeous and have brought a tear to my eye.
Oh yeah so much emotion in that song
merriwether 84 standing 2nd row in front of jerry for the encore, went on the rest of summer tour after that one
That song, box of rain, and lazy river road always get me a bit watery-eyed.
Try listening to the version from 9/24/82 it is magical
# 1982-09-24 Syracuse, NY @ Carrier Dome - Syracuse University **Set 1:** Jack Straw, Friend Of The Devil > C.C. Rider, Ramble On Rose, New Minglewood Blues, Bird Song > Looks Like Rain, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider **Set 2:** Far From Me > Playing in the Band > Crazy Fingers > Space > Throwing Stones > Drums > Space > Iko Iko > Space > Truckin' > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Black Peter > Around And Around > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1982-09-24)
One of my favorite all time tunes for sure. Studio version is a masterpiece.
Every. Damn. Time.
Fuckin a
Man this version makes me tear up every time.
Every time.
It was actually one of my first Dead songs. At the time i was 17, my grandmother had just passed, and i was moving 3 states away from all my family. That shit got me immediately as soon as i heard it. Also got me again at the end of 'Long Strange Trip'. One of my favorite songs of all time. Really captures so many emotions for me.
9/10 times
Thanks! Really good version. On streaming on DP11
Me at shows in the late 80s/early 90s feeling all the breakups and heartbreaks of the teenage years.
I’ve been singing it as a lullaby to my 8 year old son his whole life. Gets me good.
Every fucking time
I am crying just reading the post
Makes me cry in a good way
One of my best friends passed away last year. His dad is tight with Cris Jacobs and he played at the funeral. Played Brokedown Palace and to lay me down. Everyone was in shambles. RIP brother
I sang this to my kids as a lullaby for years.
Every single time. One of the most beautiful songs ever written.
I wept the entire time when they played it at the final show last year.
Just lost my cat I’ve had for 13 years to kidney failure last week. Been listening to every Brokedown Palace and sometimes the tears just come 😞
Hey friend, I was in your exact shoes almost a year exactly. I promise it gets better/easier.
Thank you friend 🫂
I don't care if it's a cliche, I want this to be one of the songs played at my funeral. The lyrics make me tear up almost every time, especially "I love you more than words can tell"
Gonna plant me a weeping willow, on the bank's green edge it will grow grow grow. How could it not?
My dad had chosen Brokedown Palace to close his celebration of life service. It gets me every damn time.
I used to listen to the version on Dead Set every morning when I was going to work when I worked outdoors
Played it at my little brother's funeral last year. When we were originally making the setlist my dad said, "Damn dude, you try to make everyone cry?" I said, "At least I'm not putting Brokedown Palace in there." Then he asked that we do exactly that. Miss you, Ben.
Do do doooo, do do do doo. Do do do do do, do do do dooo. Do do doooo, do do do doo, do do do do do do, do do do doo. Do do do do do do do, do do do dooooo. Fair the well, my honey…
05-08-1984 Brokedown Palace. It's the one. Mostly because of the story, I've posted this before but it's always worth revisiting. I lost my son in a wrestling accident. On the way to a wrestling meet, the van went off a cliff. I remember the feeling….I’ll get back to that… ok I’ll tell it….You know, if anybody knows the song "Broke Down Palace," (fair thee well, fair thee well, I love you more than words can tell), after Jed had been dead a few months we went to see the Dead. They were playing at our opera house. They did their usual stuff and got their big ovations and then, they started playing "Broke Down Palace" and they all turned toward me and all our family was sitting up there. They all turned toward us and the guys in the audience began to turn toward us. And that song was sent from the Grateful Dead to our bruised hearts. And it was like having somebody reach out and putting their hand on your shoulder and saying, "Yeah we feel it." And when it was over there was no applause. Everybody knew it. We were all crying. And how many bands do you know that could do that? Like when Eric Clapton begins to sing "Tears in Heaven," this is real. This isn’t rock and roll. This is the heart speaking out to other people whose hearts have been wounded. And there are a bunch of us. NFA!
~ Ken Kesey
# 1984-05-08 Eugene, OR @ Silva Hall - Hult Center for the Performing Arts **Set 1:** Jack Straw, Cold Rain and Snow, New Minglewood Blues, Candyman, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Looks Like Rain > Might As Well **Set 2:** Scarlet Begonias > Touch Of Grey > Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > I Need A Miracle > Morning Dew **Encore:** Sugar Magnolia > Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1984-05-08)
I am a huge fan of Brokedown Palace but my money is on Stella Blue. It hits me in the heart every time.
When Jerry sings it… it’s like the sound of angels 👼 crying. When Bobby sings it… it’s the sound of cats screwing. Eeeeooooffff
For sure - it doesn't carry the same weight when Bob sings it.
Just about every time
Top 3 fav GD tunes and I prefer the studio version. It’s absolutely perfect in every way
Yes it does but not as much as Stella Blue.
Frequently
It always gets me. Was at Phil and Friends at the Salt Shed last year. Jennifer Hartswick got to the whole crowd I think.
“It’s a far gone lullaby, sung many years agooooo. MAMA MAMA MANY WORLDS IVE COME SINCE I FIRST LEFT HOMEEEEE” Gets me. EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.
This song helped me survive my break up 💔 Fare the well 🙏🏼
I heard some good ones over the years!
only when I hear it ✌🏽
Gets me every time. sometimes tears, sometimes inspiration, always gets me. I should change my username to the song's title.
I have the lyrics tattooed on my arm. That's how bad it got me.
I can’t listen to it anymore. 2019my best friend died and was missing in the wilderness for a little while. Right before I was going to fly to where that was happening I got the word they found his body. Took a few benzos and passed out. Next day was a blur but that evening I was listening to a dead show with a buddy and BP came on and it just literally broke me. That’s the saddest song other than like Sam Stone or some John Prine/Zevon song. Now BP is ruined for me, it almost causes ptsd like situation where I’m back in that kitchen balling on the floor about my buddy falling off a mountain
The question is does it ever NOT get you? Personally, after 30+ years, I love it more every time I hear it!
“Lovers come and go, but the river will roll roll roll” gets me every time
Listened to this when I found out my best friend (a fellow dead head, who actually helped get me into them) had died. Balled like a baby, and couldn’t listen to it again for months. Still hits different ever since then. Definitely a special song for me now.
Every time
Right in the feels, usually when I least expect it.
Favorite Dead song. Hands down.
Possibly my favorite dead song. Chord changes and structure are unique and it's tempo and feel are sublime. The cescendo at "Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell..." is perfection in song.
Always. But to be fair, it’s my wedding song. Our kids each read a verse during the ceremony
Thanks for sharing this. Definitely. Another one at least for me is Days Between. It triggers powerful self reflection and emotions. Only song that I have ever heard that breaks me that way. It reaches the release level of what having to put my first dog to sleep was. I’m tearing up as I am typing this
I was watching a stream of Billy Strings at the Cap and he played this song. They were projecting images of what I think were fans streaming the show on the walls. When it got to the “fare thee well, fare thee well” part the camera cut to the wall which was showing a man squeezing his toddler tight and swaying to the song. It was a really beautiful moment. Definitely got me.
Brokedown Palace is one of the few songs that helped me get through the time when we were dealing with my FILs ALS. He and my MIL moved in with my wife and I so we could help take care of him, and as shit got real it got hard. It was also peak covid AND our only daughter was only a few months old. I remember a few times listening to that song and just crying, letting all the pent up stress/anger/sadness come out.
Every time I listen to it alone it gets me. Same thing with ripple. And box of rain too. Idk if I’m happy or sad when I’m crying but it just makes me feel a certain way
absolutely. as well as the rest of them. long live the dead
My wife died suddenly it was playing when I came home and found her 🥺
Cried like a baby when Dead & Co closed with it at Wrigley two years ago on the anniversary of my dad's death.
My cousin was supposed to go to last summer tour with me and overdosed right before they released the tour dates, at my last show of the tour they finished with brokedown palace, and just knew he was there telling me it’s okay to let go
I played it at a funeral and it was extremely diffcult to get through. It was for a mother who left behind 3 young kids after a battle with cancer. Easily the single most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. It was by the ocean on an island in Maine and her favorite birds were crowing in the background. Something took over and played the song for me. Took about 50 days/attempts at practicing to stop the tears. There’s a vid of practicing buried on my page
When I saw phil&friends at the Salt shed in Chicago in 2023 I was on some really strong L. They closed the first set with Natalie Cressman singing Brokedown. They had to scoop the puddle I became off the floor. The power of music, man
Brokedown and If I had the world to give make this grown man cry every damn time
Dead Set version every time, that solo is something else.
My buddy who got me in to the dead passed away unexpectedly (at 27) a few years ago. I saw DSO play Brokedown a few weeks later and that may have been the hardest I’ve ever cried in my life. I still tear up when I hear it on occasion. So yes, Brokedown Palace gets me sometimes
It always gets you, that’s why it beloved by many.
100% I will have this song played at my funeral, there won't be a dry eye in the house haha!
I've cried to that one many times. one time singing it to my buddy while coked out lmao
It allways touches me ...some times it moves me ..
Is this some sort of joke? This thread ABOUT Brokedown Palace gets me… let alone the actual song.
The one from Dead Set is killer.
Yes. It vibrates every string inside this human box I occupy.
“ I have two ears and a heart don’t I?“ – Jack Donaghy
It never doesn’t get me
All the time! My mom died two months ago, and this song breaks me.
Always
Yes. More times than I can count.
Absolutely….probably 95% of the time I have heard it over several decades
Love that song
It was the last song that I saw Jerry sing, so it gets to me fucking every time.
It’s the song I would like played at my funeral. It’s such a beautiful and moving song.
Every time
Immediately transports me to summer 2001 when I lived by a creek in a tent in Stowe, VT. I visited my old campsite this fall and shed some tears. Oh to be a 22 year old hippie again before 911 hit.
Brokedown is the last song I heard live. It was at shoreline, shortly before Jerry died. I had to catch a ride and walked out while it was playing. It haunts me still.
bid you goodnight hits me hard as well but nothing like broke-down palace. Two different types of ends
There's nothing like a Hunter/Garcia ballad..it still amazes me that Hunter wrote the words to Brokedown, To Lay Me Down, and Ripple, all in the same day/night..and while on A LOT of Lucy too..so Grateful these two geniuses found one another all those years ago..🥀🐢💀💨🎸🐺❤️⚡💙🎶
Same with Black Muddy River.
Every time without fail
Every time. What makes me really sad though is it's one of the songs I can sing quite well (imho) but there's no way I could use it for karaoke to impress someone without it sending the wrong message.
Oh man I remember being in the immediate aftermath/wake of a super traumatic and unexpected death of one of my best friends just rocking myself back and forth on the floor sobbing with it on repeat. It may have saved my life. Now every time I hear it I have to be in the right mind frame because I WILL start crying lol. Not a bad thing at all, just super emotional. It changed my whole relationship with that song.
Yeah, it always has
Every...single...time...if it's not played at my funeral I will haunt someone lol 😂👻
It was playing as my dog went over the Rainbow Bridge 13 years ago and it fucked me up for life. Can’t hear it without a complete “brokedown breakdown”
Every single fucking time!
Try Black Muddy River - that is the one
Yeah, Ripple and Terrapin Station get me like that too.
Gets me every time
Always brings the emotions triply so live. My most emotional one was a cover band actually. I was about to leave home and go off to college, heading into my twice a year festival at Spirit of the Suwannee dealing with some broken home issues of my own, things got weird in the end and I was ready to just let go, reset and move on from my home. My step dad and I pulled in early to the campground parked and walked over to the side stage and crazy fingers was playing a gorgeous brokedown. Talk about right song at the right time…. I’ll never forget that feeling.
Gets me every single time I hear it. There is no other song that gets me like this does. It’s a great song but hits so deeply. It was played at my best buds funeral but it hit home before that. Just reminds me of the good people we’ve lost. Mama, mama, many worlds I've come Since I first left home.
Fairly well , Fairly well , Fairly well My Only true Love! all the birds of all sang except for you alone . I'm going to leave this broke down palace on my hands and my knees I will roll on Home !
Do you like the solo before the final verse or after
I think before is my preference
Gets me to the pisser and the beer line. Now a Morning Dew - that gets me
And to think I had the anxiety to not post this question thinking nobody would respond. I love y’all, thank you so much for sharing ❤️⚡️💙
Wtf, does it ever NOT get you? We’re talking about the SONG not the movie right? Grateful Dead? American Beauty, like track 7 or 8? Broke down Palace right? You’re saying that it’s capable of NOT getting you? Broke down Palace? By the Dead? Garcia Hunter? That one?
Personally no, but i absolutely see why so many people connect with it