Shit Happens at the Barbed Wire Whipping Party (John Barlow, Robert Hunter)

This edit superimposes two Grateful Dead-related studio experiments, so they are playing simultaneously. Robert Hunter and John Barlow on vocals. Not for the faint-hearted. Posted by request. 

1m20s mp3 here

“Shit Happens” - John Barlow vocal (1988):

It doesn't matter, doesn't matter, it's all right

Universe still works tonight

Shit happens, shit happens, it's OK

What comes to pass will pass away

Whatever hits the fan might splatter

It's all right 'cause it doesn't matter

Doesn't matter, doesn't matter

It's all right, it doesn't matter


“The Barbed Wire Whipping Party” - Robert Hunter vocal (1969):

The barbed wire whipping party in the razor blade forest

Sweet live meat, my fangs could unravel you

Back, hand, whip, lash, [eskers], sangfroid, leather picnic

Duty, cold blood, barbed wire, naked on the table, laughing

Feet stained wine and eyes smoking

No is permitted

There's more freedom than you could choke down in ten thousand years

The other day I went to Mars and talked to God

And he told me to tell you to hang tight and don't worry

The solution to everything is death

Cover art by Raymond Pettibon