Joe Writes . . . 

John Prine died from the COVID-19 virus. I not an expert on his music, but I hope he’s right that “old rivers grow wilder every day.” Imagine the river my grandchildren would see if we left the Grand alone for 50 years.

The writing in this song is extraordinary, with excerpts below. I would say “enjoy,” but it’s probably more appropriate to say “prepare to shed a tear.”

. . .

We lost Davey in the Korean War,
and I still don’t know what for
don’t matter anymore.

CHORUS
You know that old trees just grow stronger
and old rivers grow wilder every day
old people just grow lonesome
waiting for someone to say
hello in there, hello
. . .
me and Loretta we don’t talk much more
she sits and stares through the back door screen
and all the news just repeats itself
like some forgotten dream
that we’ve both seen
. . .
so if you’re walking down the street sometime
and spot some hollow, ancient eyes
please don’t just pass ‘em by and stare
as if you didn’t care
say hello in there, hello

-30-