Jimmy Buffett released a version of the song on his album License to Chill in 2004.to Freedom (1992), which samples James Brown's " Funky Drummer" prominently and features a rapped interlude written by Bradley Nowell. A version of the song appears on the Sublime album 40oz.When " Fire on the Mountain" was incorporated into the band's repertoire in 1977, "Scarlet Begonias" would often be paired with it when played live, resulting in what would be nicknamed "Scarlet > Fire". The recording first appears on the 1974 release From the Mars Hotel. The line "Everybody's playing in the Heart of Gold Band", was used by Keith and Donna Godchaux to name their new group " Heart of Gold Band" when they left Grateful Dead in 1979. The line "As I picked up my matches and was closing the door" uses the symbolism of playing poker with matchsticks to indicate a very low stakes gamble that was made for fun.
The third stanza uses gambling/loss imagery that occurs in many Grateful Dead songs. The song begins in Grosvenor Square in London and also references " Tea for Two" from No, No, Nanette by Irving Caesar and Vincent Youmans. The live debut of "Scarlet Begonias" came on Maat the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. The lyrics were written by Robert Hunter and the music by Jerry Garcia. " Scarlet Begonias" is a song by the Grateful Dead. Rock, funk rock, psychedelic rock, reggae fusion 1974 song by the Grateful Dead "Scarlet Begonias"