John Prine - 'Paradise'

John Prine finishes out the album with a great performance on "Paradise" from John's 2010 release, In Person & On Stage.

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Lyrics:
When I was a child my family would travel
Down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born
And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered
So many times that my memories are worn
"And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the green river where paradise lay?"
"Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away"
Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River
To the abandoned old prison down by Adrie Hill
Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols
But empty pop bottles was all we would kill
"And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the green river where paradise lay?"
"Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away"
Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man
"And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the green river where paradise lay?"
"Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away"
When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam
I'll be halfway to Heaven with paradise waitin'
Just five miles away from wherever I am
"And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the green river where paradise lay?"
"Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away"

[pdnd]

The youngsters you pass this on to as you age will be one of the best things you ever do

[jimmie]

I am a 69 year old woman. I started listening to John Prine in 1972, just out of high school. Over the years I had the privilege to see him in concert three wonderful times. First time at Armadillo World in Austin with his best friend Steve Goodman. They stood up on the stage with their guitars and gave us a fantastic show. Next time was in an old theater in downtown Miami, FL. Billed as "The Three Johns"; John Prine, John Lee Hooker and Dr. John. Then I saw him in Fort Lauderdale years later. Every time was a fantastic show. He was the most talented songwriter of our time.

[CKNnewjersey]

THE BEST version of "Paradise" 💯💯 R.I.P. Mr. Prine 😇🎵

[noname]

One of my coworkers told me to listen to this Song...and what can I say, I hear IT over and over. I Just Love IT. Greetings from Germany ❤

[clarencestubbs]

That sad day has come for John-who wrote & sang "When I get to heaven". This 76 yr. old fan is the saddest I've
been since the death of close family members. True national treasure is with, Christ, parents & pal Steve Goodman!

[mervinhubschman]

It’s very strange. I’ve loved John’s music since 1967. I saw him in concert twice. It feels like I lost a friend. I see the same feelings in many of these posts. A very special talent and human being. 5:49

[stevenrobertson]

Sure miss John, its like having a great friend for 50 years and in a heart beat he is gone still can't listen without tears

[morgan]

I got no words but his passing sure makes me sad . God Bless you John

[bigmouthgaming]

apparently my grandpa just told me that my great grandpa used to play small gigs in nashville with john prine and bill monroe and now i feel different listening to these songs

[RodKeels-exdy]

I've been listening to this song for over 50 years. The first time I heard it Tom T.Hall was singing it back in 1973. John Prine was a master storyteller. I love listening to this song. I especially like the fiddle 'sawing it out' during the interlude after the second verse. Thomas Wolfe once said: "You can't go home again." As a 70-year-old man, I wish I could.

[windwaikr]

John Prine has passed from covid-19. Long may his song bring beauty to the world. So say we all.

[judithgips]

we lost John Prine yesterday, but his music lives forever.

[robertlinton]

Hearing him sing Paradise as an old broken man is so much more poignant than the original version. The loss is in his voice. I feel it on a more personal level.

[jtodt]

He's gone; in heaven smokin' cigarettes with those pretty ladies and his new band. I am so sad. Love to his family and to all of you <3

[jonsebastian]

We mortals can listen, Paradise welcomes one of the greatest back home. RIP thanks John

[ruthboykin]

What is paradise? It is listening To John Prine sing and his band play! Thank you, ALL!

[ralphpecora]

In reading the comments that some people have never heard of John Prine, my wife was one of them. She now knows many of his songs by heart, humming and singing them ever since I turned her on to John. This guy was a class person on top of being one of the greatest singer/songwriter to ever live. I know I will miss him but we all have his in music in our hearts. RIP JOHN.

[brendabrown]

My heart is breaking 💔 as so many people are. My prayers are with his family and fans. I followed John Prine since 1973. Can’t stop crying he will be so missed and loved. He is now. R.I.P. John 🙏🏽🕊 Jesus will be back to take us all home🙏🏽🕊🌹. John was the best song writer and singer there ever was.

[SunshineDawn]

Lit a candle for you John so that you will find your way home to Paradise in Heaven !Thank you for all the lovely songs XO See you when i get there !

[jfever]

Every so often I like to just sit back and listen to John's music and withiut fail I get lost and mesmerized in the pictures he paints in my head with his words. I listen to the same song a hundred times and each time it says something different to me. Before john died his music would often bring a teat to my eye and since his passing it brings more than a few. It is a weird set of emotions now for me to sit and listen to his beautifully crafted yet simply worded lyrics. It quite often brings a tear to my eye and a smile to my face at the same time. Miss you John. I hope you are enjoying your little slice of heaven with your family and your cocktail of vodka and ginger ale and you are taking a fine big haul on that cigarette that's nine miles long. Two years now and I wish I could go to just one more show.