A Life In The Mirror: "Poems, Prayers, And Promises"

Everybody’s heard of John Denver. Well, almost everybody. At the risk of dating myself, I’ve known about Denver and his music for decades. Yet, I never took the time to examine or play John’s music. Until now. He inspired me to cover “Jenny Dreamed of Trains” in my last blog. Here, I’m taking on one of John’s favorite and most popular songs: “Poems, Prayers, and Promises.”

Released in 1971, “Poems” finds Denver taking stock of his life at 28. Although he still had many years to live, the song sounds like it is written by someone nearing the end of their life. (Maybe that’s why I’m taking it up now.)

The song is prescient because John died tragically and prematurely in a plane crash at the age of fifty-four after years of personal turmoil. His immense talent and worldwide fame took their toll on him and his marriage.

Still, “Poems, Prayers, and Promises” is an optimistic, wise, and beautiful work of art. Let’s leave it at that. Here’s my cover.

Poems, Prayers and Promises (song)

I've been thinking lately about my lifetime and all the things I've done, where I've been and I can't help believing in my own mind I know I'm gonna hate to see him. I've seen a lot of sunshine Slept out in the rain Spent a night or two all on my own I've known my lady's pleasure had myself some friends Spen time or two all on my own. I have to say it now it's been a good time all in all it's really fine to have a chance to hang around. And lie there by the fire and watch the entire while all my friends and my old lady Sit and pass the pipe around and talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in how sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care how long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow?

What about our dreams and all the memories we share. The days, they pass so quickly the nights are seldom long and time around me whispers when it's cold the changes somehow frighten me Still I have to smile it turns me on to think of growing gold. For though my life's been good to me there's still so much to do so many things my mind is never known I'd like to raise a family I'd like to save the way and dance across the mountains on the moon. I have to say it now it's been a good time I am all in all it's really fine to have a chance to hang around.

And lie there by the fire and watch deep entire while all my friends and my old lady Sit and cast a pipe around and talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in how sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care how long it's been since yesterday and what about tomorrow what about our dreams and all the memories we shared. Sam.