Poems, Prayers, and Promises
John Denver

John Denver
Poems, Prayers, and Promises
1971

In case you haven't heard, John was killed on October 12, 1997
when a plane that he was flying crashed.  This song is my
tribute to John, a wonderful singer who was one of the happiest
songwriters I know.  John, you may be gone but your music will
live with us forever.

This song is basically all John's 12-string.

Lyrics

Capo 2nd

INTRO (this is close but not quite right):

   C             F                     G                         C
   +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +
e:-8-------7h8---5-|---3-----0-------|-3-----3-1p0-----|-3-------0-------|-----------------|
B:-----------------|-------------1---|-3h5---------3p1-|-3h5-----0h1-----|-----------------|
G:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----5-4-0-------|-----------------|
D:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------0h2-----|-----------------|
A:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------3-------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|

Here's the verse.  This figure repeats 4 times during the verse:

   CaddG                               FaddG             CaddG
   +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +
e:-------3---------|-------3---------|-------3---------|-------3---------|
B:-----1-----1---1-|-----1-----1---1-|-----1-----1---1-|-----1---------1-|
G:---0---------0---|---0---------0---|---2---------2---|---0---------0---|
D:-----------------|-----------------|-3---------------|---------0h2-----|
A:-3---------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-3---------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|



   CaddG                               FaddG
   +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +     +   +   +   +
e:-------3---------|-------3---------|-------3---------|-1---1-----------|
B:-----1-----1---1-|-----1-----1---1-|-----1-----1---1-|-1h3-1---1---1---|
G:---0---------0---|---0---------0---|---2---------2---|---------0h2-2---|
D:-----------------|-----------------|-3---------------|-----------------|
A:-3---------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E:-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|

LYRICS:

play intro

I've been lately thinking about my life's time
All the things I've done and how it's been
And I can't help believin' in my own mind
I know I'm gonna hate to see it end
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 pleasures had myself some friends
Spent a time or two in my own home

CHORUS
  F               G              C                F
I have to say it now it's been a good life all in all
            C              Am              Dm     G
It's really fine to have a chance to hang around
F                G        C                 F
Lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire
             C                  Am           Dm          G
While all my friends and my old lady sit and pass a pipe around

            F                     Em
And talk of poems and prayers and promises
Dm                      C
   And things that we believe in
                   Em
How sweet it is to love someone
    F              G
How right it is to care
    F                    Em
How long it's been since yesterday
Dm              C
   What about tomorrow
               Em
What about our dreams
    F                   G
And all the memories we share


play intro

Days they pass so quickly now the nights are seldom long
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 old
Although my life's been good to me there's still so much to do
So many things my mind has never known
I'd like to raise a family I'd like to sail away
And dance across the mountains on the moon


CHORUS

play intro for end


We love you, John.