Prisoners

John Denver · Love Songs And Poetry [1999]

Josie works the counter at the downtown five and dime

Anything at all to help her pass the time

Her mama keeps the baby and grandpa rambles on

About the good times playing in his mind



It's a hard life livin' when you're lonely

It's a long night sleepin' alone

It's a hard time waitin' for tomorrow

It's a long, long way home



Josie spends the evening with the people in the pages

Of the paperback she picked up at the store

Or sometimes it's the TV or she'll try to write a letter

But they don't come too often anymore



It's a hard life livin' when you're lonely

It's a long night sleepin' alone

It's a hard time waitin' for tomorrow

It's a long, long way home



And I stare at the gray walls before me

And I see her face in the stone

And I try to imagine our baby

And I wish they would let me go home

And I wish they would let me go home

And I wish they would let me go home



It's a hard life livin' when you're lonely

And I wish they would let me go home

It's a long night sleepin' alone

And I wish they would let me go home

It's a hard time waitin' for tomorrow

And I wish they would let me go home

It's a long, long way home

And I wish they would let me go home

It's a long, long way home

And I wish they would let me go home

Bring me and the other boys home

And I wish they would let me go home

Bring me and the other boys home

And I wish they would let me go home

Bring me and the other boys home

Prisoners - John Denver

John Denver's "Prisoners" stands as a poignant addition to his extensive catalog of narrative ballads, reflecting the songwriter's enduring ability to weave personal emotion into broader social commentary. Recorded for the compilation Love Songs And Poetry [1999], the track exemplifies Denver's signature style of blending acoustic instrumentation with lyrical depth that often explores themes of confinement, longing, and the human condition. While the song does not feature his most commercially dominant hits like "Take Me Home, Country Roads," it maintains the same melodic warmth and storytelling clarity found throughout his career. The recording captures the essence of Denver's work as a chronicler of everyday struggles, offering listeners a glimpse into the quieter, more introspective side of his discography that complements his famous anthems.