Bill has paid tribute to the poet, singer and songwriter John Prine, who sadly died in Nashville TN on April 7 after contracting coronavirus.
Bill says:
I knew John well, and often attended his concerts, and he came along to some of my Rhythm Kings shows. He was one of Bob Dylan’s favourite poets, and below is a humorous song he wrote. I’ve written out the lyrics so people can enjoy his poetic humour. He’ll be sadly missed and I have fond memories of him.
John was a legendary country folk singer-songwriter, and well-known for his more humorous lyrics and social commentary. With a career spanning over 50 years, he released the Grammy Award-winning The Missing Years in 1991. He won his second Artist of the Year award in 2018 at the Americana Music Honors & Awards, having previously won the award in 2005.
Bill asked the following lyrics and song be included as tribute:
Please Don’t Bury Me
By John Prine
Woke up this morning – Put on my slippers
Walked in the kitchen – and died
And Oh what a feeling – when my soul went through the ceiling
And on the beam to heaven I did ride
When I got there they did say
John it happened this-a-way
You slipped upon the floor & hit your head
And all the angels say
Just before you passed away
These words were the very last words – that you said
Please don’t bury me
Down in the cold cold ground
I’d rather have them cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
The blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don’t mind the size
Give my stomach to Milwaukee
If they run out of beer
And put my socks in a cedar box
Just get ‘em outa here
Venus de Milo can have my arms
Look out – I got your nose
Send my heart to the junk man
And give my love to Rose
Give my feet to the footloose
Care and fancy free
And give my knees to the needy
Don’t pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walking cane
It’s a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye