Prine, John - Taking A Walk Lyrics






A man came to our house
I believe it was yesterday
I would have invited him in
But I didn't have a lot to say

His anticipation of me opening the door
Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
And drove my concentration
Right through that hardwood floor

I'm taking a walk
I'm going outside
I'm taking a walk
I'm just getting by

There's a girl in the white house
I don't even know her name
Her disheveled appearance
Speaks volumes of shame

It's an embarrassing situation
But a situation just the same
The way she walks on others
And never takes the blame
Upsets my constitution
Beyond its mortal frame

Oo-oo a-ha

I'm taking a walk
I'm going outside
I'm watching the birds
I'm just getting by

Found a card in the pocket
Of my worn out overalls
From a girl in Cedar Rapids
Now residing in Idaho Falls

I wish you could have been there
When she opened up the door
And looked me in the face
Like she never did before
I felt about as welcome
As a Wal-Mart Superstore

0o-oo - a-ha

I'm taking a walk
I'm going outside
I'm taking a walk
I don't need a ride

I'm watching the birds
Flying so high





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Prine, John Taking A Walk Comments
  1. R.... W....

    I love this song. It has to do with a lot more than just taking a walk and, on a personal note, I found that taking a walk oftentimes in my life was the best therapeutic medicine for helping to come to terms with trials, difficulties and disappointments, a spiritual exercise more than a physical one. Of course, I was never alone because my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was there with me. Indeed, it was a deep awareness of His Presence years ago (when I also took long walks), as witnessed by His beautiful creation (natural revelation ) that God's Spirit used to reveal to me, and convict me of, my need to know the awesome Creator (Jesus Christ) behind His creation as my personal Lord and Savior from sin (Read Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1--what in theological terms is called special revelation). Many marvel at the beauty of the physical creation; yet tragically are not aware of the personal and knowable God behind such creation--One who welcomes with open arms all burdened with the cares and troubles of this world and still wandering in the wilderness of spiritual darkness and unbelief, to: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden. and I will give you rest [Salvation rest]. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for i am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30). God bless.

  2. j.... b....

    Shakespeare and Prine ,,sitting around a campfire, taking in some brew,,,,,Ahhhh Thats where I want to be,,, just listening to they're minds unwinding,,,,while the stars twinkle above it all,,,,,

  3. S.... J....

    John is a great singer and songwriter, I love him.

  4. N.... C....

    Got to know John Prine through a beautiful young man whom I lost from my life. Miss all the serenade. Miss our days together....Miss you darling...

  5. L.... R....

    Hey everyone - is anyone else here under the age of 20 and thinks this song is a BANGER?

    L.... R....

    Hi Lily! Very beautiful name. So beautiful in fact that someone spoke about them/you, another wrote it down later, and finally another put it in print, all before you were born! Amazing story.

  6. K.... I....

    i am sure John and GOD have talked!

  7. J.... A....

    John Prine is simply one of the greatest song writers that we not only have today but that have ever had the pleasure of enjoying as fans of music. His music strikes to the core of human emotion while also making statements politically, socially, and morally. I've had the pleasure of seeing him in concert twice but also look forward to future experiences from him. Hopefully on behalf of someone that has ben hailed by the likes of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash as perhaps the greatest songwriter alive today i applaud John Prine for his work, life, and continued devotion to his craft. We will be listening forever.

  8. J.... B....

    My theme song

    Thank you John

  9. R.... G....

    Went to see him twice, I really couldn’t believe I was there listening to this man, goosebumps all night. Going to go again in Calgary this summer.

    R.... G....

    I am going to see him in August in Portland, can't wait. I've seen him multiple times but..........I MUST have some JP every day. Enjoy Calgary!

    R.... G....

    Roy Glenn going too!

    R.... G....

    Well tell us!!! How was it?

    R.... G....

    Ken Is Free it was postponed till next summer :(

    R.... G....

    @Brady awww too bad. What was the reason?

  10. j.... ....

    I just discovered this song because I run a voicemail system that includes public voice bulletin boards, and one of my users posted this song to her "Folk Corner." IT'S SO COOL!!!!!!

  11. p.... s....

    Pathetic CRA shill.

  12. j.... ....

    I would love to hear Dylan cover this song. better yet i wish Dylan, Prine, and Lightfoot would do a tour where they play each others songs.

  13. R.... G....

    I would have invited him in but he was a fucking religious cunt who wanted to tell me how much better he was better than I am

  14. S.... L....

    Hey JP, love ya; jsyk.

  15. T.... K....

    I was a man child at a little radar site in Northern Wisconsin and some
    guy from Anoka, Minnesota put Prine on the record player. We called him
    Crazy Dave (he rafted the Mississippi and crashed his car the night of
    my wedding) We both lived somehow. I remarried when my wife died. The
    woman I married without Dave at the wedding is still putting up with me -
    Crazy Dave, My Wife and I learned how to sometimes just take a walk..

  16. G.... D....

    Could The "Dishelleved" gal in the Whitehouse be a reference to "Monica L"...& her & "Stained Red Dress"...Ye know, that indiscriminate female who opened her mouth, let the little pussy.. (oops..Cat.!!).. out of the bag with the sole intention of impeaching Clinton.!!! Just a thought. !?!?????!!! Some people just don't know when to keep their mouth shut.!!!! $$$$$ Apologies John.!!!!

  17. G.... D....

    Just like taking a walk, John Prine has a way of clearing the head of all worldly worries....the man's a true breath of fresh air. A guy you'd be happy to share the walk with on any long country, open aired road.!!!.... A "Wordsmith Extraordinaire".!!!

    G.... D....

    ..."I felt about as welcome as a Wallmart Superstore"..Brilliant.!!!:-D:-D:-D

  18. M.... C....

    I saw John Prine in Ann Arbor during the 70s in a small smokey club jammed to the rafters with his adoring fans loving this special man & the music he shared with us.

  19. S.... C....

    "Just gettin' by", just living and letting live, in other words.

  20. J.... S....

    Let's just sit here awhile.

    J.... S....

    yes why not !

  21. M.... H....

    This is pure class by å master of his craft...What the hell are the thumbs down doin here??????...Are you guys for real?

  22. E.... M....

    38 strange beings down voted this masterpiece.

  23. A.... S....

    This is a beautiful tune.

  24. J.... S....

    If you can't take a walk, walk with this man's music. It will improve your health.

    J.... S....

    Beautifully said.

  25. R.... W....

    So beautiful. I would take long walks in the country. It was like a spiritual balm of Gilead for my troubles and disappointments. I love John Prine.

  26. a.... r....

    love john prine hes a soldier of life

    a.... r....

    anne renwick did his time in U.S. Army Vietnam.

  27. s.... ....

    Do you ever wonder how someone could get to this site, click through to the song, listen, and put a thumbs down? It would be great if somehow there was a label they'd have to wear, because it's no doubt someone you would not want to be in close proximity to.

  28. L.... S....

    He was My 1st Concert in Harrisonburg Va. in the early 70's. ive. Loved him. all these. yrs. now im almost 70. His Voice Still. gets my heart. every time i hear him. Beautiful. Man ❤

  29. m.... ....

    Genius!!

  30. J.... E....

    GOIN BACK TO LP

  31. R.... B....

    This man,  along with Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley and a couple of others are clear evidence that there is a level of brilliance floating around in this universe that most of us cannot comprehend.

    R.... B....

    An buckwheat Stevenson

  32. R.... T....

    Lowers my blood pressure for sure.

  33. L.... K....

    If only we were all like u we would all take a walk in the sunshine Lorene

  34. n.... b....

    I only came across John Prine via Alabama 3's version of 'Speed of the Sound of Loneliness' less than a year ago. I'm nearly 60 and mourning the loss of john Prine's music in my adult life. (how did I miss him ?) However, I'm loving catching up on his fantastic songs and had the best night ever at The Palladium' in London some weeks back. What a man !!!!

    n.... b....

    neil banks l sure am sorry for your missing out. I just turned 60 and have enjoyed/loved this man and his music for years. Even got to meet him once in Chicago a few years ago. Many of his lyrics are permanently placed inside my soul and heart. Who else can take so many off the wall oddities and fuse em' all together in such a sweet and magical way that then had the power to move me to laughing the crying and everything in between. Did I say I adore this artist?

    n.... b....

    Ginger, many thanks for your comments. I have enjoyed all sorts of music and artists over the years but with JP I 'just get him' . More importantly 'he gets me !!!'. He is a 'one off' and his songwriting is simple yet mesmerizing.
    I attend a Jam Club in the village where I live and I am beginning to introduce others to the magic of JP

  35. j.... s....

    went for a walk a fine woman along beside me so comforting!

  36. d.... d....

    singer story-teller. . it always seems to fit my mood. . I'm taking a walk

  37. K.... G....

    zoo tunes2015

  38. r.... A....

    A man came to our house
    I believe it was yesterday
    I would have invited him in
    But I didn't have a lot to say

    His anticipation of me opening the door
    Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
    And drove my concentration
    Right through that hardwood floor

    I'm taking a walk
    I'm going outside
    I'm taking a walk
    I'm just getting by

    There's a girl in the white house
    I don't even know her name
    Her disheveled appearance
    Speaks volumes of shame

    It's an embarrassing situation
    But a situation just the same
    The way she walks on others
    And never takes the blame
    Upsets my constitution
    Beyond its mortal frame

    Oo-oo a-ha

    I'm taking a walk
    I'm going outside
    I'm watching the birds
    I'm just getting by

    Found a card in the pocket
    Of my worn out overalls
    From a girl in Cedar Rapids
    Now residing in Idaho Falls

    I wish you could have been there
    When she opened up the door
    And looked me in the face
    Like she never did before
    I felt about as welcome
    As a Wal-Mart Superstore

    0o-oo - a-ha

    I'm taking a walk
    I'm going outside
    I'm taking a walk
    I don't need a ride

    I'm watching the birds
    Flying so high

  39. J.... M....

    I can hear the ghost of Steve Goodman in every John Prine song.

  40. J.... R....

    Who turns taken a walk into a piece of art that expresses lonliness, a political commentary, and a lost love, all sung in one beautiful melody, filled with the most subtle but profound lyrics? That can only be the genius of John Prine. He's simply, THE BEST.

  41. N.... N....

    who the fuck disliked this?

  42. u.... ....

    Was listening to this song earlier when my dog figured out what he was singing. She drove me crazy until I took her for a walk. She's scary smart sometimes, and she likes John Prine.

    u.... ....

    it was a coincidence

    u.... ....

    dogs are smart but not in that way sorry!

  43. m.... m....

    I LOVE THIS MAN . HIS TALENT AND HONEST LYRICS STRIKE ME AND MY HEART LIKE THUNDERBOLTS. The power of his art makes me think I'm as humble as he is ...but I'm not .  What a brilliant light for all of us ... Ohh HAHHH   I'm taking a walk , I'm going outside .....

    m.... m....

    mac mchenry me TOO 😎

    m.... m....

    Well said brother.

    m.... m....

    Your right Mac,,this guy is hard not to love,,,,A story teller,,,,, supreme ,,IMO In my time I've heard some good ones,,,But none better than John,,,He grabs hold of a subject, and delivers it to average people, in a unique---understandable way,, good stuff.

  44. P.... M....

    Fantastic singer, song writer

  45. S.... G....

    this song helps me put the past into perspective

  46. R.... S....

    I absolutely love all of this man's songs. I am taking guitar lessons and I only want to play and sing JP's songs. He is the best ever.

    R.... S....

    Awesome Roy! He uses the capo quite a bit so get one of those too!

    R.... S....

    +mat11trick Got several. Need a capo for "Hello in There" and Sam Stone to sound authentic. What a treasure this man is!!!!!!

    R.... S....

    Yea he is. His songs have so much meaning.

    R.... S....

    His words inspired me to keep picking until I could bring him into my Martin and listen to him Be.

    R.... S....

    And Hoyt Axton whom John Prine loves. They play each other's music all the time.

  47. A.... A....

    why is this only 140 k views?

    A.... A....

    truly .....no one gets it

  48. L.... C....

    Exelente!

  49. M.... ....

    John, truth be told... many of us need to take a walk. We're all just gettin by...

  50. s.... p....

    I love these words; I'm taking a walk, just getting by

  51. J.... V....

    Terrific..

  52. M.... V....

    From down on the page where one cannot reply -- "Who's the woman in the white house? could not have been Hillary Clinton, as she was a senator for the 4 years preceding and 4 proceeding the album release. Any ideas???"

    I always thought it was Monica Lewinsky.

    M.... V....

    It's a metaphor I believe. Peace.

    M.... V....

    +Matthew Van Atta was Reagan in drag lol

    M.... V....

    It could have been a blue house, or a green house or whatever. He's taking a walk, there's a girl in the white house.

    M.... V....

    Open to interpretation but I think it's Hillary. First part makes me think Monica but the next part right after that makes me think it's Hillary.

    M.... V....

    The way she walks on others and never takes the blame, upsets my Constitution beyond my mortal frame.

  53. L.... S....

    ohhhh I love you JP

  54. K.... G....

    Zoo tunes again please mr.john prine 2015 summer please!

  55. A.... I....

    I love this guy , truly one of the best .

  56. r.... ....

    I have rplaced my Prine collectoin over 3 times. Once on LP again on tape, again on CD.

    r.... ....

    keep up the good work

    r.... ....

    rembrandt10x
    Casting crowns I'm

  57. r.... ....

    Greatest there very was or will be. My first album was "Prime Prine" Now have it all on cd also

    r.... ....

    +rembrandt100 bought his first lp after hearing sam stone on the old grey whistle test

  58. F.... G....

    A man came to our house
    I believe it was yesterday
    I would have invited him in
    But I didn't have a lot to say
    His anticipation of me opening the door
    Outweighed my apprehension as it never had before
    And drove my concentration
    Right through that hardwood floor
    Oh, uh-huh

    [Chorus]
    I'm taking a walk
    I'm going outside
    I'm taking a walk
    I'm just gettin' back

    There's a girl in the white house
    I don't even know her name
    Her disheveled appearance
    Speaks volumes of shame
    It's an embarrassing situation
    But a situation just the same
    The way she walks on others
    And never takes the blame
    Upsets my constitution
    Beyond its motor frame
    Oh, uh-huh

    [Chorus]

    Found a carton departed
    Of my worn out overalls
    From a girl in Cedar Rapids
    Now residing in Idaho Falls
    I wish you could've been there
    When she opened up the door
    And looked me in the face
    Like she never did before
    I felt about as welcome
    As a Wal-Mart superstore
    Oh, uh-huh

    I'm taking walk (Taking a walk)
    I'm going outside (Going outside)
    I'm taking a walk (Taking a walk)
    I don't need a ride (Just getting by)
    I'm watching the birds (Taking a walk)
    Flying so high (Going outside....)

    F.... G....

    @Frost Gaming Found a card in the pocket.

    F.... G....

    " A carton departed " Another "Happy enchilada" moment

    F.... G....

    Frost Gaming b

    F.... G....

    2nd verse - I believe its mortal, not motor frame

  59. T.... T....

    American treasure.

    T.... T....

    @Thomas Tickner JP is a WORLD treasure.

    T.... T....

    +LiZa Sims Absolutely!

    T.... T....

    Thomas Tickner i want to thumbs thid uo 1ooox

  60. T.... T....

    JP an American treasure.

    T.... T....

    +Thomas Tickner a universal treasure!, Even played here in Perth, Scotland!!

    T.... T....

    +john smith Absolutely!

  61. J.... M....

    Everybody hates insurance. We are looking for away. Geiko you are hatred?

  62. J.... M....

    Car insurance. Dumb fuck.

  63. J.... M....

    You stupid people will remember shit and Geiko get to shit on your face. Yea!!!

  64. J.... M....

    I did it! I forced a stupid Geiko commercial on the stupid fuckhead.I'm smart yea!!!

  65. y.... H....

    There is no greater way to 'let go of the day" than listening to John Prine!!!

    y.... H....

    agreed. any time, any mood, any day-can listen to John Prine

    y.... H....

    I'm listening to John Prine right now, on August 7, 2018 (my departed mother's birthday) and I think I will be able to face the day one hell of a lot better, after a night of bad dreams.

    y.... H....

    Best damn artist of his time,I have enjoyed John's music since the 1970's..

  66. d.... a....

    Hickory dickery, my black hen. She lays eggs for the gentlemen.

  67. D.... C....

    John no matter what, brings his music right to our kitchen table . And it hits the heart, no matter what type of lifestyle you have lived his words do exactly as I said Brings it right home to every real family in all the good and bad! How could anyone not feel the the relization right into our hearts.

  68. E.... M....

    Every song I hear from this guy has something in it that sticks. Unreal talent.

  69. c.... a....

    I'm packing for my walk, I'm packing for outside, Like I never have in my life...closing in on 55 and disheveled...lost for a min...thank you John, for the directions, you were here once weren't you?

  70. b.... b....

    He's talking about any woman living in a white house maybe next door you freakin fool!

  71. u.... ....

    Prine...greatest songwriter of all time....bar NONE!!!

  72. A.... R....

    What the hell are you going on about Timothy Ryan.
    The MUSIC is Beautiful.
    Enough said.
    Al

  73. N.... N....

    But the album came out in 2005. Bill was gone for 4 years by then.

  74. N.... N....

    Who's the woman in the white house? My facts tell me, Condoleezza Rice was in the white house for 3 months at the time of the release of this album, and I never took her to have a "disheveled" appearance. I don't feel like Laura Bush could be a serious enough political figure to mentions. It could not have been Hillary Clinton, as she was a senator for the 4 years preceding and 4 proceeding the album release. Any ideas???

  75. R.... P....

    thanks Rhiannon you put on paper what i could not say but wanted to

  76. j.... p....

    what rhiannon said!spot on,,the mans a genious and a fine actor,,,ever see "daddy and them ""...??????

  77. R.... R....

    Indeed

  78. s.... ....

    :-)..you catch the spirit!

  79. K.... V....

    oooh ooh aaaah ah. as eloquent as can be. Thanks, for putting it into words.

  80. s.... ....

    Amazing song...

  81. C.... D....

    I thought He wrote the line "Sorry card in my pocket". I like that verse but it's his song.

  82. C.... D....

    God will answer your question..Ain't Preachen just teachin

  83. D.... Z....

    Anyone who does not John Prine's music, well just don't know what music is.. I been listening to his music for years and have all his music on cd's. Yeah, I get laid back at night with a good drink of crown and this man's music.

  84. w.... l....

    the man is a song writer poet icon,i've had the pleasure of his 20 years influence great trout fishing music with your IPOD... ;)

  85. h.... ....

    My 1st experience listening to JOHN PRINE was the BRUISED ORANGE album .
    I have been a fan ever since !

  86. n.... ....

    Aww, Heck No...... This ..Song.tears me up.

  87. R.... M....

    I think that this song is about whatever you want to apply it to in your life at the time just like all of his songs they reach in and grab your heart and soul. I've had the pleasure of having this mans music in my life for the last I believe 40 yrs. He is a pure gift from a higher power to us having the raw talent of putting all our thoughts and feelings down on paper and delevering them to us in an everymans voice. Lennon, Dylan, Prine all the great ones thank nature for them. Bless all.

  88. D.... ....

    Actually, I'm 17 now. I think the point's still there though. Still love him!

  89. j.... m....

    he is talkin bout how a woman can take the power away from you .......... (who ever she is ) speaks volumes of shame cause that is how it goes ........ u all think Lewinsky(bj queen) and she made money from it and took a man down ......it wasn't like he made her do it ffs

  90. j.... m....

    wow u r like what 12 and know about mr prine .... u lucky bugger .. and sad at the same time .. u have heard the best . and all the rest will let you down from here .. i was 15 when i heard him first time and i am now 43 lol he is no bebeier thank god :)

  91. b.... ....

    Greatest ever John's song!
    It shows his nature-Libra-stay away from conflict or
    embarassing situation.(taking a walk)
    My son is like this-so the song always makes me smile

  92. c.... l....

    Fuck this song ! J P WRITES SO MUCH BETTER !

  93. r.... m....

    Another great song written by Pat Mclaughlin...I like pats version a lil better tho

  94. p.... ....

    Not sure why there is one dislike here.... This is a very beautiful song and John Prine definitely does not get the respect that he should. I love this man and his silly ways!

  95. K.... M....

    this just shows up outta nowhere and runs thru my mind.. what a way of puttin it into words. My auntie with rhuematoid arthritis used to say she was just hangin on. John says I'm just gettin by. It rings true. Its not arthritis, but it is pain.

  96. B.... A....

    @boldaq1 nothin

  97. D.... ....

    I remember when I was 5 or 7 and my dad would always play this. He always said one day I would like it. I didn't believe him, but now he can say I told you so.

    D.... ....

    DragonTycoon mine also!!! My parents and their friends used to play this and i would get so irritated all the time...... Now i have 2 kids and my kids get irritated with me. Thanks dad!!!!

  98. B.... W....

    @chillary1 hmm perhaps. but i figured he was talking about a political figure. i mean i guess monica lewinsky did walk on people but she also took the blame for it... i mean she's the one who alleged the scandal. but idk i hope you will write back soon. we need to figure this thing out!