The Prisoner's Song
Vernon Dalhart
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Oh, I wish I had some-one to love me Some-one to call me their own Oh, I wish I had some-one to live with 'Cause I'm ti-red of liv-in' a-lone Oh, please meet me to-night in the moon-light Please meet me to-night all a-lone For I have a sad sto-ry to tell you It's a sto-ry that's nev-er been told I'll be car-ried to the new jail to-mor-row Leav-ing my poor dar-ling all a-lone With the cold pris-on bars all a-round me And my head on a pil-low of stone Now I have a grand ship on the o-cean All mount-ed with sil-ver and gold And be-fore my poor dar-lin' would suf-fer Oh! that ship would be an-chored and sold Now if I had wings like an an-gel O-ver these pri-son walls I would fly And I'd fly to the arms of my poor dar-lin' And there I'd be wil-ling to die
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7 facts about this song
Vernon Dalhart's ContributionsVernon Dalhart recorded "The Prisoner's Song" in 1924.
- It was one of the first country records to sell over a million copies.
- Dalhart was originally an opera singer and it was his transition to country music with "Prisoner's Song" that shot him to fame.
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The Song's OriginThe song's lyrics originated from a tune called "The Prisoner's Lament," which dates back to the Civil War era.
- There are versions suggesting that Dalhart's cousin, who was a prison warden, gave him the idea for the song when he was visiting him in prison.
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Bill Monroe's VersionBill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music, also covered "The Prisoner's Song."
- His version was recorded and released as a single in 1949.
- Monroe's rendition highlighted the genre's high-lonesome sound, contributing to the song's ongoing popularity.
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Hank Snow's InterpretationLegendary country singer Hank Snow covered "The Prisoner's Song" in 1959.
- Snow's cover is characterized by his distinctive voice and yodeling, which adds a distinctive flavor to the song.
- Snow's rendition was a hit and it reintroduced the song to a new generation of country music fans.
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Impact and Legacy"The Prisoner's Song" played a significant role in establishing country music as a popular genre in the American music industry.
- The enduring popularity of "The Prisoner's Song" has made it a classic, covered by multiple artists beyond Monroe, Snow, and Dalhart.
- In 1930, the song served as the inspiration for a Fleischer Brothers animated short film, further evidencing its broad cultural impact.
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Song Lyrics and ThemesThe song's lyrics tell a poignant and heartfelt story, reflecting the feelings of a prisoner who longs to be with his love but knows he probably never will due to his imprisonment.
- This theme of heart-breaking separation due to imprisonment resonates with many people, thus leading to the song's widespread popularity.
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Recognition and AwardsIn 1970, "The Prisoner's Song" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its qualitative and historical significance.
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Citation
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"The Prisoner's Song Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4113648/Vernon+Dalhart/The+Prisoner%27s+Song>.
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