Althea (2013 Remaster) Today

The lyrics reference William Shakespeare's Hamlet through lines like "clown in the burying ground" and "fate of Ophelia / Sleeping and perchance to dream".

A fan-favorite version from the late-era Dead, celebrated for its smooth delivery. Althea (2013 Remaster) Althea (2013 Remaster)

Notable for its intense tempo and Garcia's emotive soloing. Written by the legendary duo (music) and Robert

Written by the legendary duo (music) and Robert Hunter (lyrics), "Althea" is a "swampy," mid-tempo rock track. It features a conversational narrative between the protagonist, Jim, and a woman named Althea. In myth, Althea was the Queen of Calydon

The name Althea (or Althaea) means "healer" . In myth, Althea was the Queen of Calydon who famously threw a log into a fire to end her son's life, a theme echoed in the line "maybe it's your fire / Baby, don't get burned". Key Facts & Legacy

The 2013 remaster of "Althea" is a crisp, high-definition version of the original track from the 1980 studio album, Go to Heaven . This particular remaster was released as part of the Complete Studio Albums Collection to celebrate the band's recorded legacy with enhanced audio quality. Song Overview & Meaning