Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Prine learned to play the guitar at age 14. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. After serving in West Germany with the U.S. Army, he returned to Chicago in the late 1960s, where he worked as a mailman, writing and singing songs first as a hobby and then as a club performer.
A member of Chicago's folk revival, a laudatory review by critic Roger Ebert built Prine's popularity. Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson heard Prine at Steve Goodman's insistence, and Kristofferson invited Prine to be his opening act, leading to Prine's eponymous debut album with Atlantic Records in 1971. The acclaim Prine earned from his first LP led to three more albums for Atlantic. He then recorded three albums with Asylum Records. In 1981, he co-founded Oh Boy Records, an independent label where he released most of his subsequent albums.
Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary and songs that recollect sometimes melancholy tales from his life.
Prine was the son of William Mason Prine, a tool-and-die maker, and Verna Valentine (Hamm), a homemaker, both originally from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Maywood. In summers, they would go back to visit family near Paradise, Kentucky. Prine started playing guitar at age 14, taught by his brother, David. He attended classes at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, and graduated from Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois. He was a U.S. Postal Service mailman for five years and was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War era, serving as a vehicle mechanic in West Germany before beginning his musical career in Chicago.
Prine is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He has been referred to as "the Mark Twain of songwriting".
Johnny Cash, in his autobiography Cash, wrote, "I don't listen to music much at the farm, unless I'm going into songwriting mode and looking for inspiration. Then I'll put on something by the writers I've admired and used for years—Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Guy Clark, and the late Steve Goodman are my Big Four ..."
Roger Waters, when asked by Word Magazine in 2008 if he heard Pink Floyd's influence in newer British bands such as Radiohead, replied, "I don't really listen to Radiohead. I listened to the albums and they just didn't move me in the way, say, John Prine does. His is just extraordinarily eloquent music—and he lives on that plane with Neil [Young] and [John] Lennon." He later named Prine as among the five most important songwriters.
Prine's influence is seen in the work of younger artists, whom he often mentored, including Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, and Robin Pecknold.
The last song Prine recorded before he died was "I Remember Everything", released on June 12, 2020, alongside a music video. It was released following the two-hour special tribute show, A Tribute Celebrating John Prine aired on June 11, 2020, which featured Sturgill Simpson, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Bonnie Raitt, Rita Wilson, Eric Church, Brandi Carlile and many other country artists and friends.[45] On the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Prine singing "I Remember Everything" was the soundtrack to the COVID-19 memorial video.
In the Garden
John Prine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known
The song “In The Garden” by John Prine & Mac Wiseman is a hymn that expresses a deep spiritual connection between the singer and the Son of God. The lyrics describe the singer’s experience in a garden, where he walks and talks with God. The opening lines set the scene: “I come to the garden alone / While the dew is still on the roses.” The garden is a place of peace and solitude, where the singer can be alone with God and listen to his voice. The singing birds and sweet melody add to the beauty and peace of the garden.
The refrain repeats twice, emphasizing the intimate relationship between the singer and God. “And He walks with me / And He talks with me / And He tells me I am His own / And the joy we share as we tarry there / None other has ever known.” These lines evoke a sense of comfort, love, and belonging, as if the singer is experiencing the ultimate connection with God. The final verse suggests a willingness to stay in the garden with God despite the darkness around, but God calls the singer away for a higher purpose.
Overall, “In The Garden” is a devotional song that emphasizes a personal connection with the divine. The garden symbolizes a place of rest and communion, where the singer can hear God’s voice and experience a profound sense of joy. The song invites the listener to cultivate a similar relationship with God and find solace in prayer and meditation.
Line by Line Meaning
I come to the garden alone
I come to this peaceful place by myself, without any distractions.
While the dew is still on the roses
I come to the garden early, while everything is still fresh and new.
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
I hear a voice, comforting and reassuring, that speaks directly to me.
The Son of God discloses
This voice belongs to Jesus, the Son of God.
And He walks with me
Jesus is physically present with me, walking beside me.
And He talks with me
Jesus speaks to me, in a way that is personal and intimate.
And He tells me I am His own
Jesus affirms that I belong to Him, and that He cares for me deeply.
And the joy we share as we tarry there
Being in the presence of Jesus brings me a deep sense of joy and contentment.
None other has ever known
This experience of being with Jesus is unique and special, and cannot be replicated by anyone else.
He speaks and the sound of His voice
The sound of Jesus' voice is unlike anything else, and it commands attention.
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
Even the birds seem to recognize the sweetness of Jesus' voice, and hush their singing to listen.
And the melody that He gave to me
Jesus has given me a beautiful and meaningful melody, a gift that will stay with me forever.
Within my heart is ringing
This melody fills me with joy and peace, resonating within my heart.
I'd stay in the garden with Him
I would choose to stay in this beautiful and peaceful place, in the company of Jesus.
'Tho the night around me be falling
Even in the darkest of times, Jesus remains a comforting and constant presence.
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
Jesus calls me to move on from this peaceful moment, to face the world and its challenges.
His voice to me is calling
Jesus calls to me, urging me to listen and to follow His guidance.
None other has ever known
This special relationship with Jesus cannot be understood by anyone else, as it is deeply personal and unique.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Integrity Music
Written by: C. Austin Miles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
barbara searcy
This is SO beautiful! I'd never heard it until now, but it won't be the last time! There is so much sadness at John's passing, but so much hope for seeing him again! My husband and I are so grateful to have been fans of John's for decades---what a huge blessing he is and always will be to music lovers everywhere. He could make a person laugh AND cry! What a talent and what a beautiful soul. Prayers for his loved ones and Godspeed Mr. Prine!
Darla Eilers
One Of My Favorite Songs , The Saddest At Funerals . Many Memories of Hearing and The Passing If Family And Friends , RIP John Prine ♥️
Johnny Salter
Earl K. Longs favorite hymn!