I have thought at different times about posting this...probably a lot of you have not heard of John Prine. He was a singer/songwriter. He died April 7 from Covid 19.
I had a night of watching this and that video about/by him. In one video he was driving around where he grew up in Illinois. He would point out some place and tell how it led to some certain song.
The one that stuck in my mind was this one...Hello in There. He said he had a friend that was a paper boy, and a lot of evenings he would ride around with him as he delivered the papers. And sometimes actually helped deliver. And they had a nursing home where they delivered papers. He said a lot of the residents treated them as if they were their own family....and that is what led to this song:
If you don't like this version, try listening to the one Brandi Carlile did. I really love her version.
"Hello In There"
We had an apartment in the city,
Me and Loretta liked living there.
Well, it'd been years since the kids had grown,
A life of their own left us alone.
John and Linda live in Omaha,
And Joe is somewhere on the road.
We lost Davy in the Korean war,
And I still don't know what for,
Don't matter anymore.
You know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
Me and Loretta, we don't talk much more,
She sits and stares through the back door screen.
And all the news just repeat itself
Like some forgotten dream that we've both seen.
Someday I'll go and call up Rudy,
We worked together at the factory.
But what could I say if he asks "What's new?"
"Nothing, what's with you? Nothing much to do."
You know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
So if you're walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."
Me and Loretta liked living there.
Well, it'd been years since the kids had grown,
A life of their own left us alone.
John and Linda live in Omaha,
And Joe is somewhere on the road.
We lost Davy in the Korean war,
And I still don't know what for,
Don't matter anymore.
You know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
Me and Loretta, we don't talk much more,
She sits and stares through the back door screen.
And all the news just repeat itself
Like some forgotten dream that we've both seen.
Someday I'll go and call up Rudy,
We worked together at the factory.
But what could I say if he asks "What's new?"
"Nothing, what's with you? Nothing much to do."
You know that old trees just grow stronger,
And old rivers grow wilder every day.
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."
So if you're walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes,
Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there, hello."
What a treat!!! We LOVED John Prine, and I have several of his albums. This is one of my favorites, and I love reading how he came to write it. I have listened to both versions, love them both. But of course my favorite is Prine's version. THANKS!!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the name, but never heard him sing. The lyrics are quite poignant. I'm glad you shared.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing his songs more and more lately. I did see Brandi Carlile's tribute. It is a great song, thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your day!
So sad. Covid-19 has claimed many lives. His songs will live on.
ReplyDeleteTrue when he wrote those words and considering what we have lived the last three years with my father in law ..............even truer now.
ReplyDeleteSuch a tragedy to lose John that way. Love his work.
ReplyDeleteMy sons loved John Prine's music and the youngest, who plays the guitar and sings rather well, made me appreciate John P's music too I think my favourite has to be Paradise although I've been listening to When I get to Heaven lately ( since he left us).
ReplyDelete