John Prine - Sam Stone (Live From Sessions at West 54th)

John Prine performs "Sam Stone" Live from the Sessions on 54th St.

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Lyrics:
Sam Stone came home,
To the wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knees.
But the morhpine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked,
With a purple heart and a monkey on his back.
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
He went to work when he'd spent his last dime
And soon he took to stealing
When he got that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold roared through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Sam Stone was alone
When he popped his last balloon,
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair.
Well, he played his last request,
While the room smelled just like death,
With an overdose hovering in the air.
But life had lost it's fun,
There was nothing to be done,
But trade his house that he bought on the GI bill,
For a flag-draped casket on a local hero's hill.
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.

Singer. Songwriter. Poet. Icon.
John Prine was an artist’s artist with a list of admirers and collaborators that cut across musical genres and generations - names like Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Brandi Carlile, George Strait, Kurt Vile, Miranda Lambert, The Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, among others.

In Maywood, he worked as a postman before being drafted into the army in 1966. It was as a postman that John began to write the songs that would connect with so many. He sang at Chicago folk clubs, where he was introduced to singer-songwriter Kris Kristopherson, who invited John to open for him in New York. It was there that Jerry Wexler, president of Atlantic Records, first heard Prine and offered him a recording contract. His self-titled debut album was released in 1971 and featured a list of songs now regarded as classics, including “Paradise,” “Angel From Montgomery,” “Illegal Smile,” Hello in There,” and “Sam Stone.” Prine received the first of his 13 Grammy nominations in 1972 for Best New Artist. He would record three more albums for Atlantic and another three with Asylum.

His profound impact on American music was amplified in 1981 when John co-founded Oh Boy Records, and independent label where he released most of his subsequent work and which gave voice and respect to so many fellow singers and songwriters.

In his distinguished career, John won four Grammys and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). He was a three-time recipient of the Artist of the Year Award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, which also honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. He won the Pen/New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award (2016) and was enshrined in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2019). In addition, John was named Honorary Poet Laureate of Illinois (2020).

John Prine passed away on April 7, 2020 due to complications from Covid-19. The outpouring of grief and love from his fan community was staggering. Over 500,000 viewers participated in an online memorial and tribute that raised more than half a million dollars for Covid-related community causes. In 2021, the Prine family created the Hello In There Foundation to honor John’s spirit of generosity towards those in need. Fiona Prine and her sons continue to operate and expand the reach of John’s independent record label, Oh Boy Records.

#johnprine #west54th #samstone

[bucknutbrutus]

One of the saddest songs ever and one of the Four brothers drafted, we ain't no "fortunate sons."

[larrymeisner]

Thank you for writing this song. My son came back from Afghanistan in a similar condition. Luckily, he is doing well by his own initiatives. When will we support and provide the help needed to those who come home suffering from PTSD!
John, you were one of the greatest songwriter ever who passed way too young. Don’t forget to do justice to that 9 mile long cigarette.
May you Rest In Peace now Sir with a warm wind always at your back.

[MikeyRed]

I love listening to and writing sad songs. The first time i heard this song, it absolutely wrecked me. It’s all in there. Commentary on the lasting reach of traumatic effects of war, drug addiction, the unrequited love of children for their father, the death of dreams, the sense of hopelessness that comes from it all.

John is an American treasure. Writing truths as plainly as any writer this country has produced. The humor of Mark Twain with the gut punch of Vonnegut and the soul of a good ol boy from Kentucky.

[crystalpope]

I had a Classic Country and Western radio show for 8 years in Anchorage, Alaska and I played this song at least once a month. Thank you, Mr. Prine, I've been loving your work for decades.

[shizzydeep]

I just recently discovered this song and nearly cried the first time I heard it.

[kwm]

Damn, these lyrics always get to me. RIP, John.

[stephenhenson]

When I was a kid, my dad played this song. It was always the grass grew around his brain song to me. Now as an adult listening it is a lot more than that.

[jauffreflannagan]

This song will always have a special place within me. Goodbye to a legend, John Prine. Rest easy, Sir.

[damohanson]

Riveting. This song is so spot on that John must have lived some/all of it. His voice just got better with age but this story is as good now as ever. I believe more people understand the meaning today but certainly not enough. Geez America we can do better for our veterans. It’s a disgrace how these guys are treated. I know, my son was a marine. He has PTSD, another very serious veteran problem.John made an effort to help. We can do better.

[Suziqami]

The first time I heard Sam Stone, I was bought to tears, by the friend playing it. Bought the album in 1980, again in 1999 in CD form...lifetime bucket list item is to learn to play it on my guitar. Loved John . Rest in peace, Dude!!

[collette]

RIP John..all your songs will always be gems.

[Mosey]

We miss you already John
a true American singer songwriter

[ilovetomcaldwell]

John Prime, the poet songwriter singer that has inspired my life since I was just a girl. Music should always tell stories and leave one with thought.

[ruthboykin]

Have listened to this beautiful but sad song many times; tells a story too many people don’t understand. Love, love you John Prine!

[billyd]

Listened to prine for ever finally got to see him in Somerset ky this past weekend at the master musicians festival. One of the greatest experiences of my life. Thanks John for all you’ve given us

[Peter-ohhc]

Try to listen to this every Memorial Day. Little pitchers have big ears refers to children. I also think of all the wars and fighting since Jesus died. He didn't die for nothing, but we have never beat our swords into plowshares.

[irishfield]

This amazing ever John thank you appreciate

[karenhall-gist]

I bought the record (1969?) and later (maybe 1975?) bought the CD and I know so many people who lived this life in the late 60s and much of the 1970s and the song still makes me cry and John expresses all the pain when he sings it!

[graemegladman]

I have just discovered you, this song is great.

[tomf]

"All his children were wearing someone else's clothes because there's a hole in daddy's are where all the money goes..."
If that doesn't bring tears to your eyes, I don't now what would...