Cherise was brushing her long hair gently down
It was the afternoon of carnival
As she brushes it gently down
And Rubin was strumming the painted mandolin
It was inlaid with a pretty face in jade
Played the Carnival Parade
Cherise was dressing as Pirouette in white
When a fatal vision gripped her tight
Cherise beware tonight
Rubin, Rubin tell me truly true
I feel afraid and I don't know why I do
Is there another girl for you?
If you could see in my heart you would know it's true
There is none, Cherise, except for you, except for you
I swear to it on my very soul, If I lie may I fall down cold
When Rubin played the painted mandolin
The breeze would stop to listen in
Before going its way again
Masquerade began when nightfall finally woke
Like waves against the bandstand dancers broke
To the painted mandolin
And looking out on the crowd, who is standing there?
Sweet Ruby Claire at Rubin stared, at Rubin stared
She was dressed as Pirouette in red and her hair hung gently down
The crowd pressed round, Ruby stood as though alone
Rubin's song took on a different tone
And he played it just for her
The song he played was the Carnival Parade
Each note cut a thread of Cherise's fate
It cut through like a blade
Rubin was playing the painted mandolin
When Ruby froze and turned to stone
For the strings played all alone
The voice of Cherise from the face of the mandolin
Singing: Rubin, Rubin tell me true
For I have no one but you
If you could see in my heart you would know it's true
There is none Cherise, except for you, except for you
I swear to it on my very soul, if I lie, may I fall down cold
The truth of love an unsung song must tell
The course of love must follow blind
Without a look behind
Rubin walked through the streets of New Orleans 'till dawn
Cherise so lightly in his arms and her hair hung gently down
Rubin And Cherise Lyrics performed by Grateful Dead are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that Rubin And Cherise Lyrics performed by Grateful Dead is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD