Played frequently by the Grateful Dead in the early 90s, nearly always as an encore with different band members taking each verse (note 1). Revived by The Dead in 2004, with Bob Weir and Warren Haynes sharing vocals.
(1) when I saw the Dead play this in London on 30 Oct 1990, Jerry sang the first verse, Bruce (?or Vince) sang the second, Phil the third, Bobby the fourth, with all singing the last verse. I'm not sure how much this varied in other performances.
(2) sometimes "... can stay around" in the Dead's version
(3) Phil sang "... Miss Anna Lee" on at least some occasions. In the next line, he sometimes sang "... do me a favor, boy."
I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
Hey mister can you tell me, where a man might find a bed
He just grinned and shook my hand, and no was all he said
Chorus Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And ... you put the load right on me
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the devil walking side by side
I said hey Carmen come on, let's go down town
She said I got to go, but my friend can stick around (note 2)
Go down Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting for the judgement day
Well Luke my friend what about young Anna Lee (note 3)
He said do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company
Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said I will fix your rack if you take Jack my dog
I said wait a minute Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man
He said that's OK boy, won't you feed him when you can
Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone