The Music Thread

"Paradise" by John Prine is a song, among so many that he wrote with poignant and striking lyrics, that has stuck with me. My friends Taylor and Michael and I must have sung it, a capella, from one end of Guatemala to the other on a backpacking venture some 30 odd years ago and the tune is lodged deep in my heart. “Paradise” was in my repertoire as I tried to sing the always night-owl daughter to sleep when she was a wee girl and I probably made too many people listen to it when I could wrestle control of the tape deck at the Hardback Cafe back in the early '90s.

Prine wrote it for his father, who was indeed from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the “Place” of Paradise addressed in the song. One of the things that I love about it is that It is a protest song, about the fecklessness of the Peabody Coal Mining Company and the ravages it wrought upon the town of Paradise. Still, there is a haunting story of beauty and country life told in it as well, despite the boom and bust capitalism that never paid the workers what they were worth nor cared one whit about their health and safety. “Paradise” being a protest song I’d be remiss if I did not add here that Mitch McConnell has played no small part in holding up legislation that would work to repair damage done and alleviate the suffering in Paradise. Gone now five years and a month, Rest In Peace Mr. Prine, you managed the words we could never imagine.



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.



[Chorus:]

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 Airdrie Hill

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols

But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.



[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.





IMG_8917.jpeg
 
donbosco said:
"Paradise" by John Prine is a song, among so many that he wrote with poignant and striking lyrics, that has stuck with me. My friends Taylor and Michael and I must have sung it, a capella, from one end of Guatemala to the other on a backpacking venture some 30 odd years ago and the tune is lodged deep in my heart. “Paradise” was in my repertoire as I tried to sing the always night-owl daughter to sleep when she was a wee girl and I probably made too many people listen to it when I could wrestle control of the tape deck at the Hardback Cafe back in the early '90s.

Prine wrote it for his father, who was indeed from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the “Place” of Paradise addressed in the song. One of the things that I love about it is that It is a protest song, about the fecklessness of the Peabody Coal Mining Company and the ravages it wrought upon the town of Paradise. Still, there is a haunting story of beauty and country life told in it as well, despite the boom and bust capitalism that never paid the workers what they were worth nor cared one whit about their health and safety. “Paradise” being a protest song I’d be remiss if I did not add here that Mitch McConnell has played no small part in holding up legislation that would work to repair damage done and alleviate the suffering in Paradise. Gone now five years and a month, Rest In Peace Mr. Prine, you managed the words we could never imagine.



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.



[Chorus:]

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 Airdrie Hill

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols

But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.



[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.





IMG_8917.jpeg
Click to expand...

donbosco said:
"Paradise" by John Prine is a song, among so many that he wrote with poignant and striking lyrics, that has stuck with me. My friends Taylor and Michael and I must have sung it, a capella, from one end of Guatemala to the other on a backpacking venture some 30 odd years ago and the tune is lodged deep in my heart. “Paradise” was in my repertoire as I tried to sing the always night-owl daughter to sleep when she was a wee girl and I probably made too many people listen to it when I could wrestle control of the tape deck at the Hardback Cafe back in the early '90s.

Prine wrote it for his father, who was indeed from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the “Place” of Paradise addressed in the song. One of the things that I love about it is that It is a protest song, about the fecklessness of the Peabody Coal Mining Company and the ravages it wrought upon the town of Paradise. Still, there is a haunting story of beauty and country life told in it as well, despite the boom and bust capitalism that never paid the workers what they were worth nor cared one whit about their health and safety. “Paradise” being a protest song I’d be remiss if I did not add here that Mitch McConnell has played no small part in holding up legislation that would work to repair damage done and alleviate the suffering in Paradise. Gone now five years and a month, Rest In Peace Mr. Prine, you managed the words we could never imagine.



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.



[Chorus:]

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 Airdrie Hill

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols

But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.



[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.





IMG_8917.jpeg
Click to expand...

On of my top 5 songs-ever So sad, such a commentary...............
 
donbosco said:
"Paradise" by John Prine is a song, among so many that he wrote with poignant and striking lyrics, that has stuck with me. My friends Taylor and Michael and I must have sung it, a capella, from one end of Guatemala to the other on a backpacking venture some 30 odd years ago and the tune is lodged deep in my heart. “Paradise” was in my repertoire as I tried to sing the always night-owl daughter to sleep when she was a wee girl and I probably made too many people listen to it when I could wrestle control of the tape deck at the Hardback Cafe back in the early '90s.

Prine wrote it for his father, who was indeed from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the “Place” of Paradise addressed in the song. One of the things that I love about it is that It is a protest song, about the fecklessness of the Peabody Coal Mining Company and the ravages it wrought upon the town of Paradise. Still, there is a haunting story of beauty and country life told in it as well, despite the boom and bust capitalism that never paid the workers what they were worth nor cared one whit about their health and safety. “Paradise” being a protest song I’d be remiss if I did not add here that Mitch McConnell has played no small part in holding up legislation that would work to repair damage done and alleviate the suffering in Paradise. Gone now five years and a month, Rest In Peace Mr. Prine, you managed the words we could never imagine.



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.



[Chorus:]

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 Airdrie Hill

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols

But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.



[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.





IMG_8917.jpeg
Click to expand...

Had I been there in Guatemala with my guitar, I'd have accompanied you all - and chimed with harmony. I call third above!!
 
I may have posted this before but indulge an old man has forgotten so much in the last two weeks...

So its 1980 and me and my buddy are sitting in Rose's Cantina ( in Atlanta ) and watching the Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan's brother Jimmie on lead guitar and the band was so good.

but then around midnight these guys came in after their performance at the Great Southeast Music Hall. Jimmy Thackery took Jimmie's guitar and those guys were amazing. I became a rabid Nighthawks fan that night.

This video showcases Jimmy Thackery. Mark Wenner is the singer but also plays a mean harmonica :cool:

hope you enjoy


 
Went to a George Thorogood show in Raleigh in the 80s. Debra DeMilo and the Fabulous Knobs opened. The Nighthawks did an hour and a half. After those two, Thorogood was a bit of a letdown, to tell the truth. I was a fan before, though. I had Side Pocket Shot and both Jacks and Queens albums in the early 70s. Still have them as a matter of fact.


 
finesse said:
Went to a George Thorogood show in Raleigh in the 80s. Debra DeMilo and the Fabulous Knobs opened. The Nighthawks did an hour and a half. After those two, Thorogood was a bit of a letdown, to tell the truth. I was a fan before, though. I had Side Pocket Shot and both Jacks and Queens albums in the early 70s. Still have them as a matter of fact.


Click to expand...

My best friend is a close friend of Debra DeMilo. His daughter has been a back up singer when DeMilo with Arms played some gigs. So I can't say I am her friend but have enjoyed being in her company. She was an outstanding performer...funny and a bit raunchy :cool:

Back in the day the Fabulous Knobs would perform at a UNC frat house which I would attend but can't remember the name of the frat.

Does it get any better than this ?

 
Last edited:
donbosco said:
"Paradise" by John Prine is a song, among so many that he wrote with poignant and striking lyrics, that has stuck with me. My friends Taylor and Michael and I must have sung it, a capella, from one end of Guatemala to the other on a backpacking venture some 30 odd years ago and the tune is lodged deep in my heart. “Paradise” was in my repertoire as I tried to sing the always night-owl daughter to sleep when she was a wee girl and I probably made too many people listen to it when I could wrestle control of the tape deck at the Hardback Cafe back in the early '90s.

Prine wrote it for his father, who was indeed from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, the “Place” of Paradise addressed in the song. One of the things that I love about it is that It is a protest song, about the fecklessness of the Peabody Coal Mining Company and the ravages it wrought upon the town of Paradise. Still, there is a haunting story of beauty and country life told in it as well, despite the boom and bust capitalism that never paid the workers what they were worth nor cared one whit about their health and safety. “Paradise” being a protest song I’d be remiss if I did not add here that Mitch McConnell has played no small part in holding up legislation that would work to repair damage done and alleviate the suffering in Paradise. Gone now five years and a month, Rest In Peace Mr. Prine, you managed the words we could never imagine.



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.



[Chorus:]

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 Airdrie Hill

Where the air smelled like snakes and we'd shoot with our pistols

But empty pop bottles was all we would kill.



[Chorus]

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.

[Chorus]

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.





IMG_8917.jpeg
Click to expand...

So much great music came from Prine, Steve Goodman, and that whole Chicago music scene.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top