Thanks to a tip from Russ Lipetzky, I've discovered that the song we know as
"He Was A Friend Of Mine" is in fact "Just A Hand To Hold" by Mark
Spoelstra. Spoelstra recorded it on his 1965 LP "5 & 20 Questions" and it
was covered in the same year by Kathy and Carol (Kathy Larisch and Carol
McComb). I've got a copy of the latter - lyrics below. The Grateful Dead
sang just the first few verses. Mark Spoelstra used to perform with Bob
Dylan, Dave Van Ronk et al in New York in the early 1960s, which may explain
the loose connection with the song "He Was A Friend Of Mine" that they
performed.
Alex Allan
Just A Hand To Hold
Mark Spoelstra
He was, he was a friend of mine
He was, he was a friend of mine
Now he's dead and gone
This morning, my best friend
Lay still on his bed
His face like a jewel
And he was dead
He was, he was only six years old
He was, he was only six years old
So I've been told
He like to play games
Mark, push me on the swing
Mark, push me on the merry-go-round
Go round and round
Swing me, oh swing me, swing me all up and down
Spin me, oh spin me, spin me around and round
Till my feet touch the ground
He never was afraid
For he was was brave and bold
And the only thing he ever asked for
Was a hand to hold
It makes no difference where he's from or where's he's bound
And it makes no difference if he's lost or been found
He's dead and gone
But there is no power
Anywhere in this land
Like the voice used to say
Will you hold my hand
There is a voice that rings loud throughout this land
There is a voice that speaks for the black and tan
And for all of man
It's young and it's old
It's brave and it's bold
It can't be bought or sold
Just a hand to hold
