There are some variations on the spelling of the title. The Hunter book of lyrics has it as "Reuben and Cérise" (with an acute accent on the 'e' of Cérise). But the version on the Garcia album "Cats Under The Stars" is titled "Rubin And Cherise" (thanks to Todd for pointing this out). I've also seen some references to "Ruben," though I think that's just an error.
This is a song mainly associated with the Jerry Garcia Band and with Hunter's solo performances. But the Grateful Dead played it four times in 1991 (thanks to Brad Dilli for help with the Dead's version).
(1) Hunter sings "... the painted mandolin"
(2) Garcia sang "From the Carnival Parade" on at least one occasion with the Dead
(3) these are Hunter's published lyrics, and what Garcia sang. But on the CD 'Box Of Rain' Hunter sings:
Well Reuben swear to it on your very soul
If you lie may you fall down cold
(4) Hunter sings "played the painted mandolin"
(5) Garcia sings "The breeze would pause to listen in" on 'Cats Under The Stars'
Lyrics By
Robert Hunter
Music By
Jerry Garcia
Lyrics
Cérise was brushing her long hair gently down
It was the afternoon of Carnival
As she brushes it gently down
Reuben was strumming his painted mandolin (note 1)
It was enlaid with a pretty face in jade
Played the Carnival Parade (note 2)
Cérise was dressing as Pirouette in white
When a fatal vision gripped her tight
Cérise, beware tonight
Reuben, Reuben, 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, Cérise, except for you
Except for you
I swear to it on my very soul (note 3)
If I lie may I fall down cold
When Reuben played on his painted mandolin (note 4)
The breeze would stop and listen in (note 5)
Before g