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Poems, Prayers and Promises Lyrics

Artist: John Denver
Album: Best Of John Denver Live

This song appears on twelve albums, and was first released on the Poems, Prayers & Promises Album, then The Very Best of John Denver (Double CD), This Is John Denver, The Country Roads Collection and The Rocky Mountain Collection Albums, and has also been recorded on the Greatest Hits Vol 1, John Denver (Italian) and Rocky Mountain Holiday Albums. Live versions also appear on the An Evening With John Denver, Country Classics, The Wildlife Concert and The Very Best of John Denver Live Albums.

Ive been lately thinking
About my lifes time
All the things Ive done
And how its been
And I cant help believing
In my own mind
I know Im gonna hate to see it end

Ive seen a lot of sunshine
Slept out in the rain
Spent a night or two all on my own
Ive known my ladys pleasures
Had myself some friends
And spent a time or two in my own home

And I have to say it now
Its been a good life all in all
Its really fine
To have a chance to hang around
And lie there by the fire
And watch the evening tire
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 its been since yesterday
And what about tomorrow
And ehat about our dreams
And all the memories we share

The days they pass so quickly now
Nights are seldom long
And time around me whispers when its cold
The changes somehow frighten me
Still I have to smile
It turns me on to think of growing old
For though my lifes been good to me
Theres still so much to do
So many things my mind has never known
Id like to raise a family
Id like to sail away
And dance across the mountains on the moon

I have to say it now
Its been a good life all in all
Its really fine
To have the chance to hang around
And lie there by the fire
And watch the evening tire
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 its been since yesterday
What about tomorrow
What about our dreams
And all the memories we share

Words and music by John Denver

Comments/Interpretations

by Barbara Kelley on 11/3/2008 2:21am
I have listened to John Denver over the years but I do not remember this song. It is beautiful. I was wishing that my ex husband would have heard these words in his heart, as it is the way I was feeling about our future, once upon a time. But he didn't(or couldn't), see or appreciate the sentiment. But this was the way I wanted our marriage to be. I am so wishing to have that rare and wonderful quiet confidence in my man. We still miss you John, a person doesn't possess a talent and a voice such as yours and not go forgotten. I am ever confident that I will hear that beautiful voice once again..... somewhere.

by Gregory Ould on 7/23/2009 12:45am
The greatest song ever written, period.

by Nidhi on 9/7/2009 4:03am
He may not be with us but his voice is still living and when ever i turn my ipod on, automatically a magical milieu is created. I wish i could hear him live and learn something from him. He will always be remembered for what he has given to us. Thanks John.

by stephen johnston on 11/9/2009 8:11am
uplifting songs from a sadly missed time.always remembered

by flis on 12/23/2009 2:55am
I used to sing this song to my little kids, as a bedtime song to put them to sleep. It's been twenty five years now, but it still brings tears to my eyes when I sing it.

by mj on 2/23/2010 8:04am
I,ve always loved this song. I can hear it every day and not get tired of hearing it. I hope to have it sung at my funeral. It expresses all that I love in life.
John, you were a genious with words

by jack stephens on 6/11/2010 12:50pm
I bought a cd with this on it today and it brought back memories of when I last heard it- over 30 years ago, living in South Africa

What a beautiful song, and what positive lyrics
A gem that I will listen to forever

by Jessica on 9/22/2010 9:59pm
I am 35 years old and just heard this song for the first time. I think it is beautiful and the words remind me of my own life as I grow and watch my children grow. Thank you John, I wish I could have known you.

by TODD on 2/16/2011 8:33pm
ONE THING THAT DISTURBS ME IS WHEN HE REFERS TO PASSING THE PIPE AROUND. OTHER THAN THAT I THINK ITS A GREAT SONG.

by Evan James Rodgers on 3/3/2011 6:15pm
This is a great song.Great lyrics,and great music. John wrote this one and I can tell that he meant every word he said.You dont find a song like this every day!

by Herb Heiman on 3/28/2011 2:16pm
I'm planning my life "flashback" narrative for my kids and grandkids...this beautiful song will be the work's introduction. It echos in my mind and heart.

by EAGLE-WOLF on 4/22/2011 10:34pm
Hello TODD,
John Actually changed that line "Pass the pipe around". In his later recordings and concerts, it became "watch the sun go down" in the first chorus; and "watch the world go 'round" in the second chorus.

by Red Dog on 9/30/2011 12:39pm
I still think "pass the pipe around" fits better, as those were the old days when we had the time to discuss poems, prayers, and promises.

by Rob Wilson on 8/4/2012 7:21pm
This is a song that I remember very much from my youth. It resonates very much with my own thoughts and feelings. John had a special gift for doing that. The song is very easily played on guitar with few chord changes. Back in the day I had a chance to see John in concert. It was the first concert I ever went to where the people were entirely quiet UNTIL the song was over. Then there would be thunderous applause. Until that time I had never experienced anything like that. In short, it was awe and soul inspiring. That you John for giving us these moments and thoughts that you chose to share with us. Your music will continue to live on. Rob

by Sam Patrick on 9/2/2012 9:48pm
My wife and I attended a concert at Millett Hall on the campus of Miami University. Mr. Denver was just starting out his career. What beautiful songs he composed and sang. He will never be forgotten in our book of life. I understand why he fell in love with the Rocky Mountains after vising the area.

by EagleOne on 1/9/2013 6:57pm
@Eagle-wolf
I am non smoker, never smoked weed etc either. Yet I feel sad that he had to change the 'pass the pipe around'line just to be in line with fashionable but totally dumb idea of political correctness. I mean, pass the pipe around line shows how a bunch of friends would normally behave. 'Watch the sun go down' line makes them look like a bunch of retards, and 'watch the world go' makes them look like babbling loonies. At least that is how I felt listening to changed versions. I therefore listen only the original.

by Karen on 7/10/2013 7:56am
This song was played at my husband's memorial service. It was and is so appropriate. I agree with the other comments. nothing wrong with "pass the pipe around" and it's such a lovely song and shows John's love of life

by William. on 10/8/2013 2:19am
Surely 'pass the pipe around' means the peace pipe as when the old people made peace with the native Indians??

by Rashed Bangladesh on 12/22/2013 10:21am
Love 4 ever ..... Jhon

by c.s. on 6/6/2017 10:29am
In my opinion, his best song. Well-recorded on his Greatest Hits I album.

by Donald McMillan on 8/26/2021 6:05pm
I spoke with my mother about this song because of that line. She told me that in the old days the expression "Pass the pipe around" was used to describe a bunch of friends sitting back and chatting about things. You know, like chilling... I was kind of hesitant to play that song in my act because of that line until she explained what it used to mean. Considering that she was a registered Choctaw Indian I will take her word for it. (Referring to Peace Pipe being mentioned.)