Sugar Magnolia

[mnaz]

Heard an old Dead song
on the radio, Sugar Magnolia,
blossoms blooming, heads empty.
"She can dance a Cajun rhythm,
jump like a Willys in 4 wheel drive."
Never really understood the Dead.

[mtmynd]

The Dead should never require "understanding" but to simply enjoy both the songs and the joy of the crowds.

Therein lies the magic of being "Grateful Dead".

[mnaz]

You're right of course. How does one "understand" poetry? That "4 wheel Willys" lyric kinda threw me. (Jump like a what?) ...

[sasha]

maybe like a poked turtle, when you pop the clutch on that thing while it's in ultra-low gear...

[mtmynd]

yes, sasha... that's what it is, IMO, too.

[zero_hero]

that song poem breaks my heart
I like this site:
The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics

Willys

This note from a reader:

Dear Mr. Dodd:
... Re: Sugar Magnolia, "jump like a Willys in four wheel drive". . . Always one of my favorite lyrics for its obscura. When the Willy's jeep first came out, there was some type of maneuver, or trick, that an experienced driver could do to make the vehicle actually "leap", jump, or catch air, somehow. details are sketchy, but there was an article in Smithsonian magazine which refers to the idea, and has a great picture of an airborne jeep to boot. I haven't done much research on this one, but I've seen the "jumping" trick with the Willy's jeep referenced a few other times. (in WWII histories) I can't however, determine how it was done, or what the origin of the story was. Perhaps it was a clever marketing ploy. Truly a wonderful piece of ephemera.

Your website may be the coolest free thing I've ever seen. I'm certainly going to buy the book. lead on. regards

Mike Mnichowicz
Milwaukee, WI

I checked into the article Mike mentions, and it appeared in the November 1992 Smithsonian, for anyone interested in pursuing the details.

[mnaz]

Ah, so that's it. Thanks Truck. That would be amazing to see. "Jumping" certainly isn't what I picture when think of a 4WD jeep; I picture a slow, steady slog ...

Interesting...

[mtmynd]

Dang, truck! that "Annotated...Dead Lyrics" is what every Dead Head would treasure for sure.

Gracias, amigo!