John Prine

From Zack: Went to see John Prine Friday night, and found myself inspired for two solid hours, listening to THE MAN. Was wondering if anyone had particular favorite singers/bands who get their narrative juices flowing. Obviously, Nebraska and the Boss. Gordo Lightfoot and the Edmond Fitzgerald. Not necessarily Dylan, though I understand the attraction. I've always thought he needed an editor, but I'm just a humble sports writer, so what do I know.

Anyhow, I'm always struck dumb when I recall that John Prine wrote "Hello, In There" as a 23-year-old. I'm going to put together a Narrative playlist. Shoot me an email if you'd like me to burn a disc.

Hello, In There

John Prine

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 still don't know what for,

Don't matter anymore.

Chorus:

Ya' know that old trees

Just grow stronger,

And old rivers

Grow wilder ev'ry 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 repeats 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."

Chorus:

Ya' know that old trees

Just grow stronger,

And old rivers

Grow wilder ev'ry 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."