Ode To John

Story Behind The Song

The late John Prine

Song Description

Tribute

Song Length 5:19 Genre Folk - Americana, Folk - Contemporary
Tempo Slow (71 - 90) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Poignant Similar Artists John Prine
Language English Era 2000 and later

Lyrics


It was back in '73
When you first spoke to me
Well, I guess it was more like a shout

"The song it was "Dear Abby"
It didn't sound too shabby
So I thought I would check you out

Everything changed then
You sang of joy and loss and pain
You told of folks who never seemed to quite fit

You sang of unrequited love and ordinary stuff
You lit a flame back then and it stayed well lit


Chorus


There's a hole in our hearts
Now that you are gone
The tales you wove
In every song

Since you departed
The flag still flutters but half hearted
You spoke to us
In John we'd trust
But you knew it all along



Verse

The human condition
Was your canvas
And you might say say
That the pictures that you painted
Are here to stay

Everyday situations
The basis of your creations
Still hit the spot
Even more so today

Rich images you fashioned
You spoke with sadness, wit and passion
And always championed the down at heel

The stories just kept coming
Like that river keeps on running
When it comes right down to it
You were the real deal

Chorus

There's a hole all our hearts
Now that you are gone
The tales you wove so well
In every song

Since you departed
The flag still flutters but half hearted
You spoke to us
In John we'd trust
But you knew it all along

Instrumental


Verse


Your legacy is vast
Forever it will last
For each new generation
A treasure

The songs make me cry
They make me grin
The characters therein
What you meant to all of us
Cannot be measured

And though much grief prevails
Try to forget
To no avail
Though emotions are raw
And oh so bare


Though the sands of time will pass
Down through the hourglass
Still your words will echo
Out there


Chorus


There's a hole in our hearts
Now that you are gone
The tales you wove so well
In every song

Since you departed
The flag still flutters but half hearted
You spoke to us
In John we'd trust

But you knew it all along


You spoke to us
In John we'd trust

But you knew it all along


You spoke to us
In John we'd trust

But you knew it all along

© Robin Grimmond 2020

Lyrics Robin Grimmond Music Robin Grimmond
Producer Dennis Winge Performance Dennis Winge

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