If I Had the World to Give

If I Had the World to Give
Words by Robert Hunter
Music by Jerry Garcia

If I had the world to give
I’d give it to you – long as you live
Would you let it fall
or hold it all in your arms?

If I had a song to sing
I’d sing it to you – as long as you live
Lullabye – or maybe a plain serenade
wouldn’t you laugh, dance, and cry
or be afraid at the trade you made?

I may not have the world to give to you
but maybe I have a tune or two
Only if you let me be your world
could I ever give this world to you,
could I ever give this world to you

But I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
long as I live

If I had a star to give
I’d give it to you – long as you live
Would you have the time
to watch it shine – watch it shine
or ask for the moon and heaven too?
I’d give it to you.

Maybe I’ve got no star to spare
or anything fine or even rare
Only if you let me be your world
would I ever give this world to you
could I ever give this world to you
::

Happy Birthday, Sheryl!

You can listen to the song, If I Had the World to Give, performed by the Grateful Dead on 20 November 1978, by clicking the song title immediately preceding these words. I really like this song, and sadly it was only performed 3 times in concert, but thankfully, it was recorded so we can enjoy it years (almost 30!) later.