 Bruised Orange (1978) [ larger cover art ] |
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I been thinking lately about the people I meet
The carwash on the corner and the hole in the street
The way my ankles hurt with shoes on my feet
And I'm wondering if I'm gonna see tomorrow.
Father forgive us for what we must do
You forgive us we'll forgive you
We'll forgive each other till we both turn blue
Then we'll whistle and go fishing in heaven.
I was in the army but I never dug a trench
I used to bust my knuckles on a monkey wrench
Then I'd go to town and drink and give the girls a pinch
But I don't think they ever even noticed me.
Fish and whistle, whistle and fish
Eat everything that they put on your dish
And when we get through we'll make a big wish
That we never have to do this again again
On my very first job I said thank you and please
They made me scrub a parking lot down on my knees
Then I got fired for being scared of bees
And they only give me fifty cents an hour.
The carwash on the corner and the hole in the street
The way my ankles hurt with shoes on my feet
And I'm wondering if I'm gonna see tomorrow.
Father forgive us for what we must do
You forgive us we'll forgive you
We'll forgive each other till we both turn blue
Then we'll whistle and go fishing in heaven.
I was in the army but I never dug a trench
I used to bust my knuckles on a monkey wrench
Then I'd go to town and drink and give the girls a pinch
But I don't think they ever even noticed me.
Fish and whistle, whistle and fish
Eat everything that they put on your dish
And when we get through we'll make a big wish
That we never have to do this again again
On my very first job I said thank you and please
They made me scrub a parking lot down on my knees
Then I got fired for being scared of bees
And they only give me fifty cents an hour.
| gillespp (Portland, OR) | Posted: Apr 26, 2013 - 09:12 I'm sorry, but I can't help but hearing "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" . . . |
| Jim_Highfield | Posted: Feb 22, 2013 - 10:43 A happy song. If you're a miseryguts use the PSD button. |
| dirtbagpook | Posted: Nov 20, 2012 - 09:49 So many happy memories. Fantastic.  |
| Mari (île de lesvos) | Posted: Sep 18, 2012 - 12:39
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| arserocket (S.O.B in an S.U.V) | Posted: Sep 18, 2012 - 12:36 on a shite day this helps me along... thank you Bill |
| Keef (Confluence of the American River) | Posted: Jul 17, 2012 - 14:35 Thanks for playing. Reminds me of my late buddy Thomas Reed. He loved John Prine. |
| Mari (île de lesvos) | Posted: May 15, 2012 - 05:35
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| jktravl (Virginia) | Posted: Jan 09, 2012 - 06:45 thanks for pulling this one out of the vault. great way to take a serious monday morning and lighten the load for me. Thanks RP |
| Decoy (Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe) | Posted: Jan 09, 2012 - 06:40 Decoy wrote: 4->3 Wasn't quite long enough... My oh my, this last year has flown by. |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Dec 08, 2011 - 11:33 tphord wrote: Pretty sure it's a penny whistle It's got to cost more than that nowadays. |
| ckcotton | Posted: Dec 08, 2011 - 11:30 Do they sing along to this in Kindergarten too? Not for people that like more "mature" music..... ;) |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Dec 08, 2011 - 11:30 This is Beez's theme song. |
| MiracleDrug (Earth) | Posted: Oct 06, 2011 - 06:29 okay...apparently there was a run on Thank God I'm A Country Boy clone-a-longs before the 80's... |
| TerryS (Another SW) | Posted: Sep 04, 2011 - 20:06 fredriley wrote: 1. I couldn't give a monkey's about Brit folk singers. 2. I couldn't give a monkey's about awards. 3. I'm only half-Brit (and definitely don't identify myself as such). 4. This guy's got a voice even worse than his barnet* and moustache. He may be the dog's bollox as a folk singer, but he makes my ears hurt in this number. Impressive barnet, though. * Barnet Heir = hair Fred, Don't often feel the need to contradict you, but in my world, "barnet" is shorthand for Barnet Fair. I do believe there's been a market there from the Dark Ages, he said as an aside. Other than that, agreed. |
| ZedLeppelin (South Of The Centre) | Posted: Jul 04, 2011 - 01:30 ZedLeppelin wrote: Never thought I'd say this: 1 => 5 Really never thought I'd say this: 1 => 5 => 9 |
| cc_rider (Austin Texas. Y'all.) | Posted: Jun 02, 2011 - 10:01 Businessgypsy wrote: Music aside, John Prine is one of the finest reflective poets of of our age. Roger Miller is up there too. |
| Nerubo (Denver, CO) | Posted: Jun 02, 2011 - 10:01 If you're like me, you wonder what 50 cents an hour is in today's money. Here's the conversion. $1.67 in the year 2010 (the latest year available) has the same "purchase power" as $0.50 in the year 1978 (the year the album was released) So yeah, that's worthy of complaint. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: May 05, 2011 - 15:35 Joan Baez - Hello In There "I love John Prine's version, but this version brings out new dimensions that I really appreciate. Joan Baez has such a strong and beautiful voice; she didn't have to make it up tempo to cover up as some artists might have had to do—it's simply a wise choice. Beautiful." chibimie7
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| tphord (Up 'ere) | Posted: Mar 31, 2011 - 05:20 oilydwarf wrote: IS THAT A SWANNY WHISTLE?!! Pretty sure it's a penny whistle |
| tphord (Up 'ere) | Posted: Mar 31, 2011 - 05:18 John has written tons of brilliant songs in his career, some are so insightful as to bring tears, some are just for fun. This one is just for fun and feeling lighthearted. Every time I hear it I find myself whistling. |
| oilydwarf | Posted: Mar 31, 2011 - 05:15 IS THAT A SWANNY WHISTLE?!! |
| pmjett | Posted: Feb 27, 2011 - 17:36 ColdMiser wrote: I thought I was listening to Dan Zanes for a minute  Ha! |
| ColdMiser (Out in the Cold) | Posted: Jan 27, 2011 - 11:28 I thought I was listening to Dan Zanes for a minute |
| Decoy (Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe) | Posted: Jan 27, 2011 - 11:27 Decoy wrote: 5->4 I remember the last time this played....not all that awful...but I could go awhile before I hear it again. 4->3 Wasn't quite long enough... |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Nov 25, 2010 - 10:42 That_SOB wrote: Considering the quality of folk singer-songwriters coming out of the UK in the last 40 years I can understand your irritated opinion. You really don't have ANYTHING to compare with Grammy Award-winning John Prine. I can't think of a single Brit that was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting by the UK's BBC's Radio 2 and that same year inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, while receiving the Artist of the Year award at the Americana Music Awards on September 9, 2005. I suppose your bitter. Tis a bloody pity.......aye ? 1. I couldn't give a monkey's about Brit folk singers. 2. I couldn't give a monkey's about awards. 3. I'm only half-Brit (and definitely don't identify myself as such). 4. This guy's got a voice even worse than his barnet* and moustache. He may be the dog's bollox as a folk singer, but he makes my ears hurt in this number. Impressive barnet, though. * Barnet Heir = hair |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Oct 24, 2010 - 18:16 Music aside, John Prine is one of the finest reflective poets of of our age. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Jul 12, 2010 - 19:55 John Prine - Fish and Whistle, Live (2004) "This song is absolutely amazing. John Prine gives the world amazing and funny songs." Radiohead1984 "Wow. John Prine was always on the periphery of my musical interests for some reason(I'm 51),but I just now "got him". Could it have been the record company "dudes" in retrospect ???? I think the mark of a great song is one that is simple but says what it wants to without a lot of fluff or "production". John makes many great songs. 'Course,what do I know,I'm crazy as a loon...(where's my Lithium and cigarettes...) "Rainman270
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| nerakdon (Colorado) | Posted: Jun 19, 2010 - 05:47 I never thought I would hear this song on the radio — I'm so groggy at this hour I thought I'd accidentally put on my own music instead of RP. My Dad used to play this song on his guitar while we all sang around the living room. Perfect for this weekend. :) |
| duchamp (Hardwood Hammock) | Posted: Jun 19, 2010 - 05:45 I love John Prine, but this is giving me hives. |
| Jeff09 (Gainesville, Florida USA) | Posted: Jun 19, 2010 - 05:44 How 'bout the Swimming Song from Anna and Kate McGarrigle? |
| james_of_tucson (Tucson AZ) | Posted: Apr 16, 2010 - 16:23 Artists I know in real life get 9's, no exceptions! |
| ZedLeppelin (The Red Centre) | Posted: Dec 11, 2009 - 21:58 Never thought I'd say this: 1 => 5 |
| That_SOB (The Dark Side of the Tune) | Posted: Nov 10, 2009 - 07:34 fredriley wrote: A sucko-barfo from the very first sung note. I should really rate this 3 so that I can deduct 2 for the appalling barnet and lip rug. |
| namp | Posted: Nov 10, 2009 - 06:57   |
| Decoy (Milliway's, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe) | Posted: Nov 10, 2009 - 06:56 5->4 I remember the last time this played....not all that awful...but I could go awhile before I hear it again. |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Nov 10, 2009 - 06:55 A sucko-barfo from the very first sung note. I should really rate this 3 so that I can deduct 2 for the appalling barnet and lip rug. |
| ch83575 | Posted: Sep 08, 2009 - 05:48 I think this dude is my physics professor. Who knew? |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Aug 07, 2009 - 17:08 This is OK, but there's a nice ballad on this album "If you don't want my love" that is much better. |
| lily34 (lexvegas) | Posted: Jun 05, 2009 - 06:20 dewhead wrote: I don't know that I'd take a bullet for him... but I'd gladly listen to ANYTHING he wanted to sing! same. |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: May 04, 2009 - 13:27 Just ate a delicious canned sockeye salmon sandwich.
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| patrick_larson (Austin, TX) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:14 zurcronium wrote: KOKE anyone in Austin Texas in the 70s? Now that was great radio and Prine was a featured artist back then. I remember KOKE! And K-98! oh the days of no Mopac and no traffic jams! |
| dewhead (Big Orange Country) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:14 westslope wrote: cvandoren, Are you familiar with Prine's repertoire? Beyond the 'acquired taste', I'll bet that there are a few listeners on RP who would take a bullet for John Prine. That sentiment may influence the ratings. I don't know that I'd take a bullet for him... but I'd gladly listen to ANYTHING he wanted to sing! |
| gandalfbmg (3 mi from Paradise (Missouri)) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:14 I always am glad to hear something from John Prine, every once in a while. I think he'd grate on me if I heard it too often, but the rare times I hear him I always crack a little smile at his quirky pleasantness. |
| Excelsior | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:13 cvandoren wrote: I am surprised only 20% of people rated this 5 or lower. IT seems really bad to me, like a kids song as someone else said. Is this an old song that brings back memories for everyone? Or am I just not hearing it? It is pretty bad. |
| keller1 (In A Gadda Da Vida, Baby) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:13 cvandoren wrote: I am surprised only 20% of people rated this 5 or lower. IT seems really bad to me, like a kids song as someone else said. Is this an old song that brings back memories for everyone? Or am I just not hearing it? This stuff is from a time and a place. I was there, but I'm like you —- I don't hear it either. |
| jlind (Chicago, IL) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:12 Is this a different (original?) cut of the theme for Juno? If so the Juno cut was much better. |
| vonwienerhousen (Rocky Mountains) | Posted: Sep 25, 2008 - 11:11 westslope wrote: cvandoren, Are you familiar with Prine's repertoire? Beyond the 'acquired taste', I'll bet that there are a few listeners on RP who would take a bullet for John Prine. That sentiment may influence the ratings. I would take a bullet for John Prine. 10 |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Jun 22, 2008 - 17:13 cvandoren, Are you familiar with Prine's repertoire? Beyond the 'acquired taste', I'll bet that there are a few listeners on RP who would take a bullet for John Prine. That sentiment may influence the ratings. |
| cvandoren (Albany, NY) | Posted: Jun 22, 2008 - 17:09 I am surprised only 20% of people rated this 5 or lower. IT seems really bad to me, like a kids song as someone else said. Is this an old song that brings back memories for everyone? Or am I just not hearing it? |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Jun 22, 2008 - 17:09 denmom wrote: Oh, it's an old, old photo. Someday when you're old & creaky you'll find a picture of yourself looking young'n'dumb. We all do. That is if we are lucky enough to live that long...... If there was such a thing as secular sainthood in the good ol' US of A, John Prine would be my first nomination. Prine put the Vietnam War into perspective for me better than any other artist or intellectual in the early 1970s. |