The instrumentality in “Althea” are among the favorites for many Dead Heads, including Senator Al Franken (he proclaims this in Episode 5 of Long Strange Trip).

Robert Hunter’s lyrics offer an elusive back-and-forth dialogue between the singer and Althea and is underscored by Hunter’s characteristically ambiguous inclusions.

The name “Althea” is a variation of the ancient Greek name, Althaea, which translates to “healer of wounds.” In Greek mythology, Althaea was a nurturing mother possessing healing powers that saved her son, Meleager, from death. However, Althaea rebukes the healing power she used on behalf of Meleager when he kills her brothers, his uncles, in a dispute over a prize in a hunt. The story tells of how the Fates told her that Meleager would die when the last log burned fueling a literal fire was burned. She pulls the log from the fire, but casts it onto a fire years later when she learns her son has murdered her brothers, and this kills Meleager.

Althaea’s two-sided nature in the Greek myth presents a potential for symbolism within these lyrics, considering lines like “Baby, don’t get burned.” The symbolism would suggest that this seemingly pointed two-person dialogue between the narrator and an understanding, caring woman is more of a glimpse into the mind of a woman with self-serving motives.

Another potential source of inspiration for Hunter may have come from poet Richard Lovelace’s 1649 poem, “To Althea From Prison.”