Clay Pigeons (Live) - John Prine

Song begins at 1:20

"Clay Pigeons" (written by Blaze Foley, first on Foley's 1989 Live At The Austin Outhouse (...And Not There) cassette, covered by John Prine on 2005 Fair & Square album)
from "Austin City Limits: John Prine/Amos Lee" on PBS via KVIE
Season 31 Episode 6
aired November 12, 2005

LYRICS
I'm goin' down to the Greyhound station
Gonna buy a ticket to ride
I'm gonna find that lady with two or three kids
And sit down by her side
Ride 'til the sun comes up and down around
About two or three times
Smokin' cigarettes in the last seat
Sing my song for the people I meet
And get along with it all
Where the people say "y'all"
Sing a song with a friend
Change the shape that I'm in
And start playin' again

I'd like to stay
But I might have to go to start over again
I might go back down to Texas
Or go to somewhere that I've never been
And get up in the mornin' and go out at night
And I won't have to go home
Get used to bein' alone
Change the words to this song
And start singin' again

I'm tired of runnin' 'round lookin' for answers
To questions that I already know
I could build me a castle with memories
Just to have somewhere to go
Count the days and the nights that it takes
To get back in the saddle again
Feed the pigeons some clay
Turn the night into day
And start talkin' again, when I know what to say

I'm goin' down to the Greyhound station
Gonna buy a ticket to ride
I'm gonna find that lady with two or three kids
And sit down by her side
Ride 'til the sun comes up and down around
About two or three times
Smokin' cigarettes in the last seat
Play my song for the people I meet
And get along with it all
Where the people say "y'all"
Feed the pigeons some clay
Turn the night into day
And start talkin' again, when I know what to say

written by Blaze Foley

[johnskelton]

If that doesn’t touch your soul you don’t have one

[bluegrassboy]

It's the most John Prine sounding song that John didn't write that there ever could be.

[marybarratt]

I don't know about you guys, but these days I choke up every time I listen to John. Thank goodness we still have his music. Bless him, wherever he is now.

[troygarza]

Blaze foley died before his time. He died defending his friend a old black man. Dude was a legend.

[Brian]

He’s up there having a cocktail vodka and ginger ale and smoking that 9 mile long cigarette and taking that pretty girl on the tilter whirl. RIP John

[JockLambert]

My father would play John Prine albums back in the early 70’s which doesn’t sound unusual, but you see I’m from Scotland and as far I was concerned my dad was the coolest cat on the planet, as I thought we were the only people listening to this genius in Scotland back then, I was wrong of course, rest easy John, god speed.

[rodneycaupp]

This and other cuts from "Fair and Square"..., I was in Nashville when Johnny Cash passed away, and "Johnny Prine" filled his shoes softly and sweetly . Now I play both of these Icons songs and remember those gifts of love from the ...other Bob Dylan's; "Cash, Prine, Kristopherson, LeBlanc and others like Guthry, and Charly Daniels / aka Sam Stone ( ...he loved veterans like John Prine).... ME TOO

[LPJack]

RIP John Prine (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020), aged 73
And
RIP Blaze Foley (December 18, 1949 – February 1, 1989), aged 39
You both will be remembered as legends.

[nickydumas]

I was heartbroken before he ever sang a word. I was one of those with a “hole in his arm where all the money goes”. I carried Prine around in a stolen walkman player with a beat up cassette over-due from a library loaned in another state. He spoke pictures of life folks lived like he knew us personally. Like he lived it himself and had the words that connected with the feelings. But i won’t miss him, too much, I’ve got the legacy he’s left us. I wish i could tell him “thanks”.

[stormbringercoming]

The music of John Prine is like ice cream. It’s good if you’re happy, sad, sick, healthy, hot or cold. Like an old dog, that’s loyal. By your side all the time.

[HuSiaCat]

Christ I miss this man and his perspective, thankfully he left us the most exquisite collection of humanity in Music I think we may ever see. Growing up in the UK, we just weren't exposed to John's music enough. I found him in my 40's and he changed my entire perspective on music as a way of expressing philosophical genius.

His take on simply being a human being is unrivalled.

[zackmccurdy]

That man absolutely slayed the harmonica for this performance. Must have been a true privilege.
Rest easy, Mr. Prine.

[dennisevans]

My brother went to heaven with John prine singing

[tag]

I'm nobody but I bet Blaze would be honored to have John sing his song like this.

[nancymahaney]

RIP John Prine - you really were an American legend.

[georgelewis]

What an honor it would have been to have known John Prine and been his friend . I’m 83 years old and become a fan of JP only within the last few years ( what in heck took me so damned long ? ) . Every song he sings touches me in a way that no other singer does, because in every song you can feel John’s presence and soul . And makes me feel like my best friend is singing . . . . to me . . . and other friends of his . RIP JP, you’re loved.

[jamesbercot]

We got 50 years of John Prine...It wasn't near enough

[christipton]

Proof positive that truly great music doesn't have to be complicated by technology.

[scribe_samples]

Here I am at this video again. My brother sent it to me 2x’s when he knew his health was failing. He was trying “to get on with it all” but he knew this time he couldn’t; it just wasn’t in him. He is gone now, so I just come listen and remember and now “I try to get on with it all” myself.

[jimbrew]

My 15 1/2 old lab just died. After 20 years, I'll still grieve. This song touches me.