Song History and Composition

• Writers: The song was written by the band’s longtime lyricist Robert Hunter and lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. Hunter originally released a version on his solo album, also titled Liberty (1987), before Garcia reworked the music for the Grateful Dead.
• Performance: It debuted in February 1993 and was performed approximately 60 times before the band stopped touring in July 1995. It frequently served as an upbeat encore during these final years. 

Themes and LyricsThe lyrics are characterized by Hunter's signature "surrealist absurdist wordplay," reminiscent of earlier songs like "China Cat Sunflower". 

• Independence: The core theme is individual autonomy and the desire to forge one's own path.
• Wordplay: The verses use paradoxical imagery to emphasize choice and determination:
  • "If I was the sun, I'd look for shade / If I was a bed, I would stay unmade".
  • "If I was an eagle, I'd dress like a duck / Crawl like a lizard and honk like a truck".
• Devotion: One of the song's most poignant lines, often highlighted by fans, is "Sake of my baby, I'd die for love".