Instagram story viewer> @john_prine> Post
8 months ago
201
Posted On: March 11th 2026, 10:17 pm
“I always thought one of the great mistakes they made in the service is if they spent half the time that they do getting you ready, and the intensity that they put you through in basic training for combat, if they spent half that time bringing you down and teaching you how to be a civilian, it would make a big difference. I would liken it to a person who has done prison time. They all speak of how difficult it is to be back on the street and how difficult it is to accept freedom once you get used to living incarcerated. So, all my friends that were over there were affected, like I said. I wasn’t writing about anybody specific. I made up the character of Sam Stone, obviously, just ‘cause he rhymed with ‘home.’”

John Prine to @americansongwriter circa 2010

#johnprine #samstone #americansongwriter
Comments (201)
kostas_klampatsas 23 days ago
bruce.lazar.10 2 months ago

bruce.lazar.10

Hard to witness the aging of such geniuses

wybornterry 3 months ago

wybornterry

Relatable piece of song writing.Even better if you sidestepped climbing walls sitting in that chair.1st got the album in 73& still have it.John& his bale of hay Rip John

bruceweech 3 months ago

bruceweech

One of the great songs of the Vietnam War 😢😢😢

scott201406 3 months ago

scott201406

What can you say that hasn't already been said in man?Was the greatest songwriter ever and covid took him way too early❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

cwfulp 3 months ago

cwfulp

God bless. RIP. 😢

stricklandtommy 3 months ago
rdoty4 3 months ago

rdoty4

A powerful, timeless song . ❤️

painting202 4 months ago

painting202

A stunning talent. Should be better known.

stacybialac 4 months ago

stacybialac

One of the best poets and storyteller of the 20th century

zombocoffee 4 months ago

zombocoffee

Little pitchers not pictures

antidgy1234 5 months ago

antidgy1234

Yes I agree John Prine is a great song writer but there are several song writers in the world and it’s wonderful to have so many beautiful songs to inspire us John Prine listened to every kind of music out there and was inspired by many song writers the song I mentioned Enchilada Jose by Rene and Rene was only played on Texas Radio Stations and at the time was very controversial because of the Vietnam War they did nog want to add to the controversy of the War so they stopped playing the song but it is a very sad song and touching I would not compare it to John Prine he stands alone I don’t think there is an artist like him out there nor will there be another like him I only listed the song because John Prine’s song inspires people to go out there and not be prejudice to knock those fences down and strip that away from the world and it’s a beautiful song he is and will always be an incredible song writer and inspiration @eleanoredy I Agree thanks for the like

Load More

More posts

back to up