Prison Song
Crosby & Nash Lyrics


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One day a friend took me aside
And said I have to leave you
For buying something from a friend
They say I've done wrong
For protecting the name of a man
They say I'll have to leave you,
So now I'm bidding you farewell
For much too long.
And here's a song to sing,
For every man inside,
If he can hear you sing
It's an open door.
There's not a rich man there,
Who couldn't pay his way
And buy the freedom that's a high price
For the poor.

Kids in Texas
Smoking grass,
Ten year sentence
Comes to pass
Misdemeanor
In Ann Arbor,
Ask the judges
Why?

One day a friend said to her kids
I'm gonna have to leave you
For selling something to the man
I guess I did wrong
And although I did the best I could
I'm gonna have to leave you
So now I'm kissing you farewell
For much too long.
And here's a song to sing,
For every man inside
If he can hear you sing
It's an open door.
There's not a rich man there
Who couldn't pay his way




And buy the freedom that's a high price
For the poor

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Crosby & Nash's "Prison Song" are a poignant commentary on the American prison industrial complex and the systemic injustices that continue to disproportionately affect people of color and the poor. The song itself is a stripped-down folk ballad, with acoustic guitars and a simple melody setting the stage for the sobering message of the lyrics.


The first verse describes a friend who has been forced to leave because they were caught buying something from a friend, protecting the name of a man. It's left up to the listener to interpret precisely what this means, but it's clear that there is some level of corruption and wrongdoing at play. The singer bids farewell to their friend, knowing that it will likely be a long time before they see each other again. The chorus speaks directly to the plight of those inside: "And here's a song to sing, for every man inside, if he can hear you sing, it's an open door." The idea is that even though the physical doors of the prison may be closed, music has the power to transcend those barriers and offer hope and solidarity.


The second verse takes a more specific look at some of the injustices of the prison system, highlighting the case of kids in Texas who are given ten-year sentences for smoking marijuana, while in Ann Arbor, a mere misdemeanor can lead to significant jail time. The language in this verse is deliberately stark and straightforward, driving home the point that the system is broken and often arbitrary.


Overall, "Prison Song" is a powerful and moving call to action that asks us to examine our assumptions about justice and fairness in American society. By framing the message in a plaintive, folksy melody, the song becomes all the more effective at conveying the human toll of the prison system.


Line by Line Meaning

One day a friend took me aside
A friend approached the singer privately


And said I have to leave you
The friend tells the singer that they have to part ways


For buying something from a friend
The singer is being accused of wrongdoing for purchasing goods from a friend


They say I've done wrong
The artist is being blamed for a mistake they claim they did not make


For protecting the name of a man
The artist asserts that they only wanted to protect the reputation of another person


They say I'll have to leave you,
The authorities or accusers have decreed that the singer cannot stay in their current situation


So now I'm bidding you farewell
The singer is saying goodbye to someone they are close to


For much too long.
The artist implies that the length of separation will be difficult to bear


And here's a song to sing,
The artist is dedicating a song to a particular audience or group of people


For every man inside,
The song is intended to uplift and encourage those who are incarcerated


If he can hear you sing
The singer believes that their song has the power to reach and inspire others


It's an open door.
The artist suggests that singing can open up possibilities and opportunities


There's not a rich man there,
The singer speculates that incarcerated individuals are not just poor or disadvantaged


Who couldn't pay his way
The singer believes that wealthy people have the means to avoid ending up in prison


And buy the freedom that's a high price
The singer suggests that financial resources are often required to gain freedom from incarceration


For the poor.
The artist notes that poorer individuals often lack the means to avoid or escape imprisonment


Kids in Texas
The artist changes the subject to highlight an example of unjust incarceration


Smoking grass,
The singer suggests that marijuana use should not result in severe punishment


Ten year sentence
The singer notes that the penalty for this offense is excessive


Comes to pass
The situation is accepted and cannot be changed


Misdemeanor
The artist contrasts the severity of the punishment with the seriousness of the 'crime'


In Ann Arbor,
The artist cites another example of unjust treatment


Ask the judges
The singer suggests a lack of understanding or logic on the part of those in authority


Why?
The artist ends the song with a rhetorical question, expressing frustration and the need for change


One day a friend said to her kids
The singer starts another verse with another story of separation


I'm gonna have to leave you
The friend regrets that she will have to say goodbye to her children


For selling something to the man
The friend is accused of selling something illegal or illicit to a law enforcement officer


I guess I did wrong
The friend admits to a mistake but is still being treated unfairly


And although I did the best I could
The friend is implying that they tried their best to make the right choice


I'm gonna have to leave you
The friend reiterates that they will be separated from their loved ones


So now I'm kissing you farewell
The friend is saying a heartfelt goodbye to those they care about




Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: GRAHAM NASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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