Jack Straw is a rock song written by Bob Weir

Bob Weir

Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...

 and Robert Hunter

Robert Hunter (lyricist)

Robert C. Hunter is an American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator, and poet, best known for his association with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead.-Biography:He was born Robert Burns in San Luis Obispo, California...

 in the Troubadour tradition. The track appeared on the Grateful Dead

Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...

 album, Europe '72

Europe '72

Europe '72 is a 1972 live triple album of performances by the Grateful Dead, recorded during their tour of Western Europe in early 1972.-History:...

, and was frequently performed live by the band.

The song was first performed in concert on October 19, 1971 in Minneapolis, MN.

Over the years, the vocals shifted between Weir and Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia

Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...

 though in the song's earliest performances (circa 1971-72), Weir sang all of the vocals. The song also became much faster in tempo over the years, less concentrated on vocal harmony and more of a high-energy rock jam.

The Grateful Dead tribute album Deadicated contains a cover of Jack Straw recorded by Bruce Hornsby and the Range.