John Prine - 'You Got Gold' (Lyrics) - The Missing Years

John Prine's "You Got Gold" (Official Lyric Video) from The Missing Years.

Art by Carl Carbonell

FOLLOW JOHN:

"You Got Gold" (Lyrics)
Is there ever enough space between us
To keep us both honest and true?
Why is it so hard just to sit in the yard
And stare at the sky so blue?
I've got a new way of walking and a new way of talking
Honey when I'm around you,
But it gives me the blues when I've got some good news
And you're not there to bring it to.
Life is a blessing, it's a delicatessen
Of all the little favors you do.
All wrapped up together no matter the weather,
Baby you always come through.
It's a measure of treasure that gives me the pleasure
Of loving you the way I do
And you know I would gladly say I need your love badly
And bring these little things to you.
Cause you got gold
Gold inside of you
You got gold
Gold inside of you
Well I got some
Gold inside me too
Well I'm thinking I'm knowing that I gotta be going
You know I hate to say so long.
It gives me an ocean of mixed up emotion
I'll have to work it out in a song.
Well I'm leaving a lot for the little I got
But you know a lot a little will do
And if you give me your love
I'll let it shine up above
And light my way back home to you.
Cause you got gold
Gold inside of you
Cause you got gold
Gold inside of you
Well I got some
Gold inside me too
You got wheels
Turning inside of you
You got wheels
Turning inside of you
Well I got wheels
Turning inside me too

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.

Though he was born in Maywood, Illinois, in 1946, John declared himself “pure Kentuckian” throughout his life. His parents, Willian and Verna, were natives of Paradise, Kentucky. The family would spend summers there in Muhlenberg County, where John listened to bluegrass music and studied the guitar styles of country music heroes Doc Watson and Merle Travis with his older brother, Dave.

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 #YouGotGold #TheMissingYears

[SDsearcher]

This couldn’t have come at a better time. I just got home from an 11 hour day exhausted and depressed. I got through my door and broke down crying. And then I look at my notifications and saw this upload. A smile came to face immediately. John Prine’s music transports me back in time to happy moments in my life. I miss you John. You made the world a better place. 💜

[apeel]

Dear John … YOU got gold! The world sadly misses you. 😢

[xine]

What a generous soul he seems to have had!

[johnfoulkrod]

Thank you Oh John in Heaven. Your songs love forever.

[loispahlen]

I MISS YOU SO MUCH JOHN. I LOVE TO PLAY AND REPLAY THIS SONG.❤❤❤❤😢😢

[Jm]

Wow ! Gold inside of you. If that's not the definition of love I don't know what is. Thank you. Totally beautiful! I also enjoyed the horns A good toss to Johnny Cash.

[donaldcreager]

John prine's a big thing here in Texas they listening to him from the 70s no one else like him we miss him so much

[b.arte]

I literally still mourn 😢 over the passing of this Gods gift of a musician to us humans but more importantly a wonderful human being who was full of love for everyone. Rest in peace Johnny & I hope you are enjoying that long cigarette you said you wanted in heaven.

[billwilson]

What a happy and uplifting song, thanks John, I miss you

[canajian]

Cuz you got gold...🖐😎👍🎶🎶🎶🎶 Back for a listen...

[trycorydon]

heard a john s song for 1st time in a this year movie, but it was sung by someone else..and i tought..uu this kind of music made by this young man.and after few months(i mean now) found that is acctually this guy john prine..nice ..nice..now i ll listen all of his music.:D happy i found him.ADDing something, now cuz i read other comms. :first tought after listening for 1 st time this song i wanted to send to a friend of mine just to make her happier..guess i ill:D