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MISHEARD JOHN  PRINE  LYRICS
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MISHEARD PRINE LYRICS

"It's a Happy Enchilada and you think you're gonna drown"
(in tears of laughter, that is)

My Turn To Share A Happy Enchilada 

(admit to your misheard John Prine lyric)


 

Confessed_by: Scott Wright

My_Misheard_Lyric

"Wait a while, it"ll be time for tea"

Actual_Lyric

"Wait a while, eternity" from Christmas in Prison


Confessed_by: cathy

My_Misheard_Lyric

Its a half a enchilada

Actual_Lyric

Its a half a inch of water


Confessed_by: Cheemer

My_Misheard_Lyric

happy enchilada - even named a drink after it -

Actual_Lyric

half an inch of water


Confessed_by: pete
My_Misheard_Lyric
: the sun burst through the window, and I saw broke...
Actual_Lyric: the sun burst through the window, the ice all broke...

Confessed_by: CSW
My_Misheard_Lyric: It's a happy enchilada and you think your gonna drown
Actual_Lyric: It's a half an inch of water and you think your gonna drown

Confessed_by: matt fenske
My_Misheard_Lyric: my butt is broke
Actual_Lyric: my buddys broke

Confessed_by: Brian in Ottawa
My_Misheard_Lyric: A friend was sitting beside me during a Prine concert while he is singing Flag Decal and she asks me...What is Prines problem with Dylan and I do not know what she is talking about so I ask her after the song is over and she thought the lyric was Jesus dont like Dylan

Actual_Lyric: Jesus don't like killing

Confessed_by: Norm
My_Misheard_Lyric: Wondering how a man could send a child actor to visit in the land of the windshield factory
Actual_Lyric: Wondering how a man could send a child actor to visit in the land of the windchill factor

Confessed_by: Len of Armuchee
My_Misheard_Lyric: Shotgun Willie Nelson said "Do you want to take a ride"
Actual_Lyric: Shotgun man leaned out and said "Do you want to take a ride" (on Pink Cadillac to Down By The Side Of The Road)

Confessed_by: john t
My_Misheard_Lyric: "Lookout Bobs got your nose"
Actual_Lyric: "Look out! I've got your nose" ("Please Don't Bury Me)

 

Confessed_by: PMSred
My_Misheard_Lyric: Yeah I shook my head and I made myself a bet
Actual_Lyric: Yeah I shook my hand and I made myself a bet, Lyrics to HOW LUCKY from Pink Cadillac album - oops they have been wrong for years - sorry

Confessed_by: ghbn
My_Misheard_Lyric: its a half of inch of water

Actual_Lyric:  its a half a inch of water and you think youre gonna drown (That's The Way That The World Goes Round)

Confessed_by: Dan Bishop
My_Misheard_Lyric I heard sirens on the train track, Hal naked gettin neutered
Actual_Lyric: I heard sirens on the train track, hollow naked gettin nuder ... from the song Chain of Sorrow

Confessed_by: KC
My_Misheard_Lyric Its a happenin in Chilada
Actual_Lyric: Half and inch of water

 

Confessed_by: Keanan Smith
My_Misheard_Lyric I was crying ice cubes, open-eyed croak
Actual_Lyric: I was crying ice cubes hoping Id croak

Confessed_by: Tom
My_Misheard_Lyric I could be happy as a sardine in a can ... Just as long as I die an Iowa man
Actual_Lyric: I could be happy as a sardine in a can ... Just as long as I got my woman

Confessed_by: Bubbah

My_Misheard_Lyric Do baked beans suit your mood

Actual_Lyric: To better suit your mood

Confessed_by: Billy
My_Misheard_Lyric My sister always thought is was Well Im sorry my son but youre too bleedin nasty John got a kick out of it when I told this to him after a recent concert

Actual_Lyric: Well Im sorry my son but youre too late in askin Paradise

Confessed_by: OCTAVIO
My_Misheard_Lyric RODENTS BEWARE: I CAUGHT A MOUSIE ON THE PLANE...
Actual_Lyric: I CAUGHT AN AISLE-SEAT ON THE PLANE

Confessed_by: chabolingus
My_Misheard_Lyric
urinate in every pew
Actual_Lyric: hearing aids in every pew

Confessed_by: maximus
My_Misheard_Lyric We ll whistle and go fishing in The Yemen
Actual_Lyric: We ll whistle and go fishing in Heaven

Confessed_by: Heliosity
My_Misheard_Lyric "And raped by a mental r tee" which I thought was some slang for "retard"
Actual_Lyric: and raped my a minority" The Accident

Confessed_by: Dave M

My_Misheard_Lyric Mama get all your pointers here Far across the sea Waiting for that Italian poet That burns inside of me And I feel a stone All wet and warm Bout ten miles away Approaching My Nantucket home.
Actual_Lyric: Mama dear Your boy is here Far across the sea Waiting for That sacred core That burns inside of me And I feel a storm All wet and warm Not ten miles away Approaching My Mexican home.

Confessed_by: John T
My_Misheard_Lyric "Blue Ivy Lane" When I first bought SSFAP, I just popped it in the cd player in my car without looking at the listing on the back.
Actual_Lyric: "Blue Eyed Elaine"

Confessed_by: Allan
My_Misheard_Lyric old trees just grow stronger

Actual_Lyric: oak trees just grow stronger

Confessed_by: Jessica Mcv
My_Misheard_Lyric Its a happening Chihuahua ....
Actual_Lyric: Its a half in of water

Confessed_by: Matt Hill
My_Misheard_Lyric I heard sirens on the train tracks like a cat getting neutered
Actual_Lyric: I heard sirens on the train track howl naked getting nuder

Confessed_by: SemperParatus

My_Misheard_Lyric I have never been able to decipher the first line of Chinatown, no matter how many times I hear it.

Actual_Lyric "well, the moon is yellow and the people are too"

Confessed_by: SemperParatus

My_Misheard_Lyric head lice raised to the corner of the kitchen wall

Actual_Lyric: "head lights"

Confessed_by: Sue Chew

My_Misheard_Lyric Jehosaphat, the model cat, jumped off the roof today

Actual_Lyric: Jehosaphat, the mongrel cat ...

Confessed_by: Sandy Ragsdale

My_Misheard_Lyric Glokenschpiel

Actual_Lyric: Clocks and Spoons

 
 

Confessed_by: STILL SMILLIN
My_Misheard_Lyric GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER PUT A LEVEL ON A LEVEL
Actual_Lyric:  He was level on the level and shaved even every door - voted for Eisenhower cause Lincoln won the war.

 

Confessed_by: KevintheCelt
My_Misheard_Lyric
Full bowl salad in an empty room
Actual_Lyric:
Full blown silence in an empty room. Either make as much sense and at least you can eat the salad. New Train

Confessed_by: Brimley
My_Misheard_Lyric
Wilford B forgive us if we both turn blue
Actual_Lyric:
We ll forgive each other till we both turn blue

Confessed_by: Thats the Way That The world Goes Round
My_Misheard_Lyric Half an enchilada and you think your gonna drown
Actual_Lyric: half an inch of water and you think your gonna drown

Confessed_by: Nathan Smith
My_Misheard_Lyric Almost technically not "misheard" cause phonetically they sound the same, cept for the "d" on the word "and"... "Raisin beams of incredible dreams" - like the sunshine logo on the little red boxes of raisins...from "Quiet Man".
Actual_Lyric: "Rays and beams of incredible dreams"

 

Confessed_by: Chris Lindquist
My_Misheard_Lyric
grenades in every pew
Actual_Lyric:
hearing aids in every pew

 

Confessed_by: Jamie
My_Misheard_Lyric
I ve been thinking lately about the people I meet, the car wash on the corner and the whore in the street.
Actual_Lyric:
I ve been thinking lately about the people I meet, the car wash on the corner and the hole in the street

 

Confessed_by: Thom
My_Misheard_Lyric: He lost all his marbles on a baseball game Another win in relief
Actual_Lyric: He lost all his marbles at a baseball game And they went on Relief.

 

Confessed_by: BK
My_Misheard_Lyric
my little brother had names thrown at him and fights for things that aint right
Actual_Lyric: id rather have names thrown at me ..than to fight for a thing that aint right. from the great compromise

 

Confessed_by: Chris Hiltz
My_Misheard_Lyric
Grandpa was a carpenter "...Urinate in every pew..."
Actual_Lyric: Hearing aid in every pew

 

Confessed_by: Troy
My_Misheard_Lyrica;
"We made love In everyway love can be made"
Actual_Lyric:
Still trying to find the actual lyrics. The ones above simply leave too much to the imagination. (*note: Troy, those are the actual lyrics to the song - the rest IS left up to your imagination)

 

Confessed_by: Liza Sims, in love with JP since 1977, Anchorage AK
My_Misheard_Lyric
in "grandpa was a carpenter": "....a hairy maid in every pew"
Actual_Lyric:
hearing aid in every pew

 

Confessed_by: Cousin John
My_Misheard_Lyric I got some friends in Albuquerque Where the governor calls me "cuz"
Actual_Lyric:
I got some friends in Albuquerque Where the governor calls me "Gov"

 

Confessed_by: Heather
My_Misheard_Lyric
They got mesmerized by lullabies And limbo dancing bears
Actual_Lyric:
They got mesmerized by lullabies And limbo danced in pairs (from "Common Sense")

 

Confessed_by: Earl Matt
My_Misheard_Lyric
Now you don't have to sympathize or condone what they may do...........
Actual_Lyric:
Now you don't have to sympathize or care what they may do....... sorta close, hmmm

 

Confessed_by: Matthew Bullis
My_Misheard_Lyric Heat lightning burned the sky like Al Capone.
Actual_Lyric:
Heat lightning burned the sky like alcohol.

 

Confessed_by: Joe
My_Misheard_Lyric I got hard Monday morning Downsized that after noon
Actual_Lyric:
I got hired Monday morning Downsized that afternoon "Crazy As a Loon"

 

Confessed_by: peter m
My_Misheard_Lyric
"heard Little Richard singin' to the kiddies from the top of a telephone pole" and thought it was "heard Little Richard singin' Piccadillies from the top of a telephone pole"
Actual_Lyric
: "Heard Little Richard singing "Tootie Fruitie" from the top of a telephone pole"

 

Confessed_by: Mary Arehart
My_Misheard_Lyric
I misheard the misheard... I thought that for all these years John was saying Half an enchilada when he explains about the woman who misunderstood the lyrics.
Actual_Lyric:
happy enchilada ( half an inch of water)

 

Confessed_by: SwearsLikeaSailor
My_Misheard_Lyric "I come home from work this evenin' , there was a note in the fryin' pan, it said fix your own supper babe, I run off with the toilet brush man." I'm thinkin the whole time I'm singing though, of all the brush guys you could run off with and you pick the toilet one?
Actual_Lyric
: Same as above except that toilet is Fuller.

 

Confessed_by: prettygoodnotbadicantcomplain
My_Misheard_Lyric you'll rock out the stone
Actual_Lyric: through rock and through stone

 

"Confessed_by: Geoff
My_Misheard_Lyric "I could be as happy as a sardine in a can... Long as I got ... my Iowa man" etc.
Actual_Lyric: "I could be as happy as a sardine in a can... Long as I got ... my woman" etc.

 

Confessed_by: Geoff
My_Misheard_Lyric "Someday you'll own a home thatsa big-ass house"
Actual_Lyric: "Someday you'll own a home that's as big as a house" - From "It's a Big Old Goofy World"

 

Confessed_by: Big O.
My_Misheard_Lyric
My wife thought he said Flag the Cow.
Actual_Lyric:
Flag Decal

 

Confessed_by: B. Smith
My_Misheard_Lyric
"I got stuck in the ice, without my clothes, naked as the ass of a clam" - Thats the Way That the World Goes 'Round
Actual_Lyric
" I got stuck in the ice, without my clothes, naked as the eyes of a clown"

 

My_Misheard_Lyric "Rain fell down on ah tendrels ....."
Actual_Lyric
"Rain fell down on a tin roof..."

 

Confessed_by: Christine
My_Misheard_Lyric
4 blonde salads (I thought "Four blonde salads" was "four tossed salads" - made some sort of sense)
Actual_Lyric:
"Full blown silence" - am I the only one to get it worng TWICE!

Confessed_by: Steve Miller
My_Misheard_Lyric
little pixies have big ears
Actual_Lyric:
little pitchers have big ears

 

Confessed_by: Fellmama
My_Misheard_Lyric An Alta boy's been hit by a local commuter (I thought it was a locational reference I didn't get . . .)
Actual_Lyric:
An altar boy's been hit by a local commuter

 

Confessed_by: Angry Tommy
My_Misheard_Lyric  All my friends are not dead, only in jail
Actual_Lyric 
All my friends are not dead, or in jail. - Sweet Revenge

 

Confessed_by: Alex Lindquist
My_Misheard_Lyric  I caught a mousie on a plane
Actual_Lyric  I caught an aisle seat on the plane

 

Confessed_by: Calamity Joanie
My_Misheard_Lyric  my ex-husband's cousin Donny (an older feller with Harley Davidson tattooed on his chin) would sing along at the top of his voice to "Flashback Blues"----"...rocks in my pockets and TURDS in my shoes!"
Actual_Lyric  "...rocks in my pockets and dirt in my shoes."

 

Confessed_by: Siobhan
My_Misheard_Lyric   "you get mesmerized by alibis"
Actual_Lyric 
"you get mesmerized by lullabies" common sense (this one's on this page quite a few times)
webmistress note: in the Common Sense CD liner notes it is sung both ways in the song - lullabies  and alibis

 

Confessed_by: Siobhan
My_Misheard_Lyric  "don't forget your toothbrush, you mailbrush and your comb"
Actual_Lyric 
"don't forget your toothbrush, your hairbrush and your comb" leave the lights on

 

Confessed_by: Siobhan
My_Misheard_Lyric  "rolling aimlessly along"
Actual_Lyric 
"ruling endlessly along"-the hobo song (apparently this was misheard a lot, because it's written in on the lyrics on one CD, but no others)

 

Confessed_by: Royal Sea
My_Misheard_Lyric Drinks his beer like it's sausagen????
Actual_Lyric:
Drinks his beer like it's oxygen :)

 

Confessed_by: Royal Sea
My_Misheard_Lyric Sounds like turtle salad was the only friend I had
Actual_Lyric Sounds like total silence was the only friend I had

 

Confessed_by: Prined
My_Misheard_Lyric
  God Bless This Kitchen, Said the MicMac Shelf
Actual_Lyric 
God Bless This Kitchen, Said the Knick-Knack Shelf

 

Confessed_by: Donald T. aka Freemont Friend
My_Misheard_Lyric  Not from the original album but a later one "it's a half an inch of lotta"
Actual_Lyric  
"It's a half an inch of water"

 

Confessed_by: Lauren P.
My_Misheard_Lyric
  I was about to write mine.......and jeepers, if it isn't right on this page.....only it's not "Happy Enchilada"....I thought it was "happenin' Chihuahua, out on the town"
Actual_Lyric
Half and inch of water and you think you're gonna drown....luckily my dad caught me on that one.

 

Confessed_by: Amuse o'Shytt.......amuse@elvis.com
My_Misheard_Lyric  My nephew Davie used to sing out "the deaf can take both of my ears if they don't MIDASIZE" ( buy a muffler from Midas Muffler, a popular radio commercial at the time.Amuse)
Actual_Lyric 
"The deaf can take both of my ears if they don't mind the size."

 

Confessed_by: rnlss
My_Misheard_Lyric
One man rose, inside the bible, pressed between the holy alphabet, (I thought he meant King David)
Actual_Lyric
"One Red Rose, Inside the Bible, pressed between the holy alphabet"

 

Confessed_by: Rick
My_Misheard_Lyric  Hal naked, gettin' neutered...and altar boys bent it by a local commuter... (were they putting pennies on the track to be mutilated by the train? And what did they do to poor Hal??!)
Actual_Lyric 
Howl naked, gettin' nuder; an altar boy's been hit by...

 

Confessed_by: Rick
My_Misheard_Lyric  Naked as the eyes of a clam (I must admit I wondered where clams' eyes were!)
Actual_Lyric  Naked as the eyes of a clown

 

Confessed_by: Marco
My_Misheard_Lyric My five year old daughter, Tina (now 34), thought and sang, "Raked by an M or a T." To the chorus of "The Accident" I couldn't bring myself to explain this one to her so we let her go on. She eventually figured it out on her own and is still a huge J.P. fan like her ol man.
Actual_Lyric:
From the chorus of "The Accident" They don't know how lucky they are. They could have run into a tree, got struck by a bolt of lighting or raped by a minority.

 

Confessed_by: jks3
My_Misheard_Lyric: Not mine, I'm from Muhlenberg County. Got on-line to check out lyrics for "Paradise" just for fun. " . . . . . Atry Hill"
Actual_Lyric: . . . . Airdrie Hill (old iron furnace). Neat, I've been there.

 

Confessed_by: JD Woodward
My_Misheard_Lyric: "A pure maid in every pew."
Actual_Lyric: "Hearing aids in every pew."

 

Confessed_by: MrNatural
My_Misheard_Lyric: The sins of Monte Cristo
Actual_Lyric: The sins of Memphisto 

 

Confessed_by: Chris Pelfrey
My_Misheard_Lyric: While the men on the hill sit perfectly still.
Actual_Lyric: "While the mentally ill sit perfectly still" from 'The Late John Garfield Blues'

 

Confessed_by: Jim MItchell
My_Misheard_Lyric: If her legs were commercials, we'd all be on TV.
Actual_Lyric: If heartaches were commercials, we'd all be on TV.

 

Confessed_by: Riters
My_Misheard_Lyric
Linda fell on Franklin street and the lamp post falled her broke
Actual_Lyric:
Midnight fell on Franklin street and the lamp post bulbs were broke

 

Confessed_by: just me, ~ Ima Prinefan
My_Misheard_Lyric "A Hot Fiddle Zone" (- mondegreen - prinestutter it's all the same to me) -I was playing it tonight, and realized I was singing the wrong lyrics, even when I knew better... it made me giggle 
Actual_Lyric:
"A Hos-Pit-Al Zone" (Automobile - Pink Cadillac)

 

Confessed_by: cheers from New Zild, Sieffe
My_Misheard_Lyric
: Not a misheard song . . but a word you need to know! The word is "Mondegreen" This is the word which describes a misheard (and repeated in public by some of you I see, to your dying shame!! ho ho) set of lyrics and comes from the classic case of the song which went "And they have killed the Lord and Lady Mondegreen . . . " very sad but in fact the good woman was not harmed at all . . . .
Actual_Lyric:
the real words are: "And they have killed the Lord and laid him on the green (grass area in the village)" . . here is the definition you kind people needed. Look it up on the net .. it's all true! Keep up the good work . .Lord should be Earl of Moray of course . . . memory served me not so well as some of you will understand ....

 

Confessed_by: Ian J
My_Misheard_Lyric 
"Wanna drive my all American meal" from Automobile
Actual_Lyric :
"wanna drive it all around this world"

 

Confessed_by: webmistress of Prine in the Lyrics section (but not anymore, thanks Mary Coburn for finding the goof)
My_Misheard_Lyric  There's a pantry in a window
Actual_Lyric: It's "There's a pine tree in a window", from A John Prine Christmas - "Silent Night All Day Long",

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)

 

Confessed_by: Elizabeth
My_Misheard_Lyric "I heard sirens on the train track howl naked gettin' neutered..."
Actual_Lyric: "I heard sirens on the train track howl naked gettin' nuder..." (Bruised Orange)

 

Confessed_by: Elizabeth
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Now you don't have to sympathize, Ol' Carl, what they may do..." (From "Everybody")
Actual_Lyric:
"Now you don't have to sympathize or care what they may do..."

 

Confessed_by: Elizabeth
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Stained glass in every window/Hairy heads in every pew" ("heads" has to be sung with the right twang so that it sounds like "haids")
Actual_Lyric:
"...hearing aids in every pew..."

 

Confessed_by: eric hartley
My_Misheard_Lyric
made me feel like the f**ckin recorder
Actual_Lyric:
made me feel like the buck and a quarter

 

Confessed_by: Chris
My_Misheard_Lyric From Grandpa was a carpenter: "...stained glass in every window, hear an Angel in every pew..."
Actual_Lyric
: "...hearing aid in every pew..."

 

Confessed_by: L. Patterson
My_Misheard_Lyric
The deaf can take both of my ears, if they don't midas-size.
Actual_Lyric:
The deaf can take both of my ears, if they don't mind the size. (Please don't bury me)

 

Confessed_by: L. Patterson
My_Misheard_Lyric St. Peter on every door
Actual_Lyric:
Shaved even every door (Grandpa was a Carpenter)

 

Confessed_by: Reg Feris
My_Misheard_Lyric My wife is still convinced that John sings "We'll whistle and go fishing in Yemmen" - why the Middle East I ask?
Actual_Lyric:
"We'll whistle and go fishing in Heaven" (Fish and Whistle)

 

Confessed_by: Blueyes
My_Misheard_Lyric Every day has a way of overflowing wine
Actual_Lyric: Every day has a way of overflowing one

 

Confessed_by: BrenRawlings
My_Misheard_Lyric Cook your own dinner, Babe, I've run off with the foot brush man.
Actual_Lyric: ...I've run off with the Fuller Brush man. {Still sounds like 'foot brush man' to me}

 

Confessed_by: BrenRawlings  
My_Misheard_Lyric Whiskey and ___?____ both taste the same, during the time they go down. {It only makes sense to me that it be 'pain', but then again...maybe it's 'fame'?
Actual_Lyric: Whiskey and pain...both taste the same, during the time they go down. -The Torch Singer

 

Confessed_by: RhiannonStone
My_Misheard_Lyric "like sunshine-eating daisies..."
Actual_Lyric: "like sunshine feeding daisies..."

 

Confessed_by: Space Monkey
My_Misheard_Lyric Films are strange especially when their country
Actual_Lyric: Feelings are strange especially when they come true - blue umbrella

 

Confessed_by: Bob N
My_Misheard_Lyric "I caught an owl seed on a plane" from "Sweet Revenge"
Actual_Lyric:
"I caught an aisle seat on a plane"

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)

 

Confessed_by: Texie
My_Misheard_Lyric "When the one-armed tattoo, was the first to be untrue..."
Actual_Lyric: "When the one I'm tied to, was the first to be untrue..." Back Street Affair

 

Confessed_by: Zayne Reeves
My_Misheard_Lyric From Back Street Affair: For the one armed tattoo was the first to prove untrue
Actual_Lyric: For the one I'm tied too was the first to prove untrue. Boy, was MY face red after that one!

 

Confessed_by:
My_Misheard_Lyric
"...mesmerized by Elvis eyes, and limbo dancin' bears..." or sometimes I 'corrected' myself to "...mesmerized by alibis..."
Actual_Lyric:
"...mesmerized by lullabies and limbo danced in pairs..."

 

Confessed_by: RhiannonStone
My_Misheard_Lyric Not really a misheard lyric, but for years I figured that "jokes about bicycle spokes and red balloons" had some naughty adult meaning that my innocent (ha!) child's mind couldn't grasp, and that one day, I'd get it. I'm older and a lot less innocent these days, and I still don't get it, so I guess it's just a wholesome lyric after all. ;)
Actual_Lyric: "Drove my English teacher half insane/Makin' up jokes about bicycle spokes and red balloons...

 

Confessed_by: Capt Dave
My_Misheard_Lyric The men of the Elk sit perfectly still
Actual_Lyric: While the mentally ill sit perfectly still

 

Confessed_by: soapfiend
My_Misheard_Lyric Sam Stone. I first heard this song when I was about 10 or 11 and I always thought this song was about a man who'd had his arm blown off in the war in Vietnam. All the money went for medical expenses incurred as a result.
Actual_Lyric: There is a hole in Daddy's arm, where all the money goes.

 

Confessed_by: Troy Johnson
My_Misheard_Lyric: It's a crooked pizza pan that we live in
Actual_Lyric: It's a crooked piece of time that we live in

 

Confessed_by: Kim Hogg
My_Misheard_Lyric: urinate in every pew.
Actual_Lyric: hearing aids in every pew

 

Confessed_by: Danny Murphy
My_Misheard_Lyric: My 7 year old son wanted to why "...they all found cheeses on their own"
Actual_Lyric: "They all found Jesus on their own."

 

Confessed_by: thesportswriter
My_Misheard_Lyric: "We're all driving rocket ships, and talking with our minds, wearing turquoise toolery..." From Living in the Future -- I wondered what "toolery" was.
Actual_Lyric: "...wearing turquoise jewelry." (It's confusing because he pronounces it jewlery).

 

Confessed_by: rnlss
My_Misheard_Lyric: Me, too, "Urinate in every pew...", (whew!) Defecate in both my ears is news to me. Prine fan, 25 years now.
Actual_Lyric : "Hearin' aid in every pew", and, "Deaf can take both my ears..."

 

Confessed_by: JC
My_Misheard_Lyric I caught a Nazi on a plane....

Actual_Lyric: I caught an aisle seat on a plane...

 

Confessed_by: Clinton
My_Misheard_Lyric
: Raisin' beans on incredible dreams (well, I am an organic gardener!). From Quiet Man. And I still don't know what the song's about (see guestbook).
Actual_Lyric
: Rays and beams of incredible dreams...

 

Confessed_by: Amanda-Betha
My_Misheard_Lyric
: 6,700,033 LIFE SONGS, you think someone could sit down and listen to the words of my song.
Actual_Lyric
: 6,700,033 LIGHTS ON, you think someone could sit down and listen to the words of my song.

 

Confessed_by: Teri
My_Misheard_Lyric "Your flabby cow won't get you into heaven anymore" I did not really think one would but he was a poet so I looked for deeper meaning
Actual_Lyric:
your flag decal won't get you into heaven anymore

 

Confessed_by: R.  VOSHEL
My_Misheard_Lyric lyrics to sweet revenge are actually i got kicked off of Noah's ark I turned my cheek to one kind remark. that's why he got kicked off. not I turned my cheek to unkind remarks.
Actual_Lyric:
I can see how it could be mistaken for the other though.

 

Confessed_by: Thomas L. Cook Jr,   (T.C.)
My_Misheard_Lyric Went to meetings on Tuesdays,' Cause liquor won the war!
Actual_Lyric: Voted for Eisenhower,' Cause Lincoln won the war

 

Confessed_by: 3 1/2 year old Stuart
My_Misheard_Lyric: she tried to milk a cow with a snow machine
Actual_Lyric: trading in the cow for a singer sewing machine. (Grandpa was a Carpenter)

 

Confessed_by: J. Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric It'll take all the boobs in the world to forget you!!
Actual_Lyric: It'll take all the booze in the world to forget you

 

Confessed_by: it's Garfield again!!!
My_Misheard_Lyric: How foolish I thought the same two
Actual_Lyric: How foolish I thought the same too

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric:  Joana got into the belly of a whale
Actual_Lyric:  Jonah got onto the belly of a whale

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric: I bumped into the sailor and he said pardon me
Actual_Lyric: I bumped into the savior and he said pardon me (well he was talking about sailin' wasn't he?)

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric  Aloha old Milwaukee, hello were kinky
Actual_Lyric:
hello WAKKIKI (well, he said they were talking dirty)

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric: there was a time when laundry men would wander through this land
Actual_Lyric: there was a time when lonely men would wander through this land

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric the old bat she passed away inside my automobile
Actual_Lyric: the battery passed away inside my automobile

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric an altar boys bandit (or abandoned)
Actual_Lyric:
an altar boy's been hit

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric the cannibas can catch me
Actual_Lyric: the cannibals can catch me

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric wind blown shards, of toffee melon bars
Actual_Lyric: wind blown scarves in top down cars. My smile was probably a little bit to illegal that night!!!

 

Confessed_by: John Garfield
My_Misheard_Lyric  standing in soufflé'
Actual_Lyric:
standing in soup lines

 

Confessed_by: sean o'neill
My_Misheard_Lyric 
Donald and Lydia "behind her small eyes - sunk deep in her BED - she read romance magazines up in her room
Actual_Lyric: 
according to lyrics on site sunk deep in her FAT. either makes sense but I prefer bed as it's less offensive and pulls you into the next line

 

Confessed_by: 26years o'Prine andnotalyricwrongyet
My_Misheard_Lyric
Some of these misheard lyrics are truly incredible! Even so, they're quite fun to read. But how they come up with them... I have a few suggestions for those struggling: (enjoy)
Actual_Lyric:
4) Listen before singing along 3) Get better equipment 2) Have "common sense" - his lyrics really do make good sense ("happy enchilada" in a bathtub, come on) 1) Last but not least - read the liner notes! Many of the "misheard" lyrics are actually printed on the albums. Now, see if you can find the inaccuracies on the albums for extra credit :)

 

Confessed_by: Pete Williams
My_Misheard_Lyric
Christmas In Prison; Second verse, " all picnic'ed in the rain at a truck drivers fair"
Actual_Lyric:
"or a picnic in the rain after a prairie fire" (actually sang this song many times in front of a lot of people with my guitar) boy is my face red.....

 

Confessed_by: gin sims
My_Misheard_Lyric 
when my friend Becky rides in my car, I always have john playing on tape. She loves his music now and is turning into a "Priner". Yesterday I had to tell her that "we merrily built the snowman" was a happy thought... BUT!!!!!
Actual_Lyric:
Humidity built the snowman.... (she had a good laugh at herself!!!! and still sings it "her" way!!!!!Then we both laugh!!!!

 

Confessed_by: Rhiannon Stone
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Give my love the rose" (I had no freaking clue what the heck "the rose" was supposed to be!)
Actual_Lyric:
"Give my love to Rose"

 

Confessed_by: Rhiannon Stone
My_Misheard_Lyric
The very first Prine song I heard was "Souvenirs," when I was about 12 years old and had no clue who he was. I could have SWORN he was singing, "Mammaries, they can't be boughten" and I thought it was just the funniest thing I'd ever heard. Now, "Souvenirs" is my favorite Prine song, with the REAL lyrics...
Actual_Lyric:
"Memories, they can't be boughten"

 

Confessed_by: Rhiannon Stone
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Sweet revenge, sweet revenge, without bail"
Actual_Lyric:
"...without fail"

 

Confessed_by: Paul Gillett
My_Misheard_Lyric For if her legs were commercials We'd all be on T.V. (me and my dirty mind!)
Actual_Lyric:
For if heartaches were commercials We'd all be on T.V.

 

Confessed_by: Paul Gillett
My_Misheard_Lyric
so many time of the memories of war
Actual_Lyric:
So many times that my memories are worn

 

Confessed_by: hank2hendrix
My_Misheard_Lyric
Well, I was young and horny and about to leave that place
Actual_Lyric:
Well I was young and hungry...

 

Confessed_by: LISA SCROGGINS
My_Misheard_Lyric
'PUT A DINNER IN A BURNED OUT FUSE. I THOUGHT GRANDPA WAS SUCH AN AWESOME CARPENTER THAT HE COULD BUILD TV DINNERS I WAS ENLIGHTENED THAT IT WAS A PENNY NOT A DINNER LISA SCROGGINS LOVE YA JOHN
Actual_Lyric:
PUT A PENNY IN A BURNED OUT FUSE

 

Confessed_by: kathy47
My_Misheard_Lyric
My granddaughter thought he was swearing. There was a (BITCH) in Indiana, I was nine years old..heard little Richard singing from the top of a telephone pole.
Actual_Lyric:
There was a beach in Indiana.

 

Confessed_by: gin sims
My_Misheard_Lyric
She reminds me of a chess game, With someone I admire Or a picnic in the rain, wrapped up 'round a fire
Actual_Lyric: Or a picnic in the rain, After a prairie fire... (I have been singing this wrong for years!!!! Glad I finally know the right words...although, being wrapped up around a campfire (perhaps with a quilt with that someone that you admire, would be pretty darn nice!!!!)

 

Confessed_by: beercanchuck
My_Misheard_Lyric
you get mesmerized by lullabies, and limbo dancing bears. (which I recall seeing late one night)
Actual_Lyric:
You get mesmerized by lullabies, and limbo danced in pairs

 

Confessed_by: LOST BEAR
My_Misheard_Lyric
From Great Rain, Jimmie brought the liquor, I brought the cups an' knives.
Actual_Lyric:
I brought the cups and ICE!! My excuse, JP lyrics don't hafta always make sense anyways, an' cause I'm justa ol' LOST BEAR !!!

 

Confessed_by: joepremont
My_Misheard_Lyric
In the song "Sweet Revenge" I always sang the second line "I told my teacher unkind remarks."
Actual_Lyric:
I turn my cheek to unkind remarks.

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)

 

Confessed_by: Rhino
My_Misheard_Lyric
"...Mr. Peabody's coal train is all lit away." (Paradise)
Actual_Lyric:
"....Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away."

 

Confessed_by: Dorothy
My_Misheard_Lyric
daddy's gonna buy you a green cathedral
Actual_Lyric:
daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to

 

Confessed_by: kydeadhead
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Stained glass in every window, PURE MAID in every pew..." Having been raised in a Southern Baptist church, I naturally assumed all the maids in church would be pure.
Actual_Lyric:
"Stained glass in every window, hearing aid in every pew..."

 

Confessed_by: IndyPrineFan
My_Misheard_Lyric
In "Grandpa Was A Carpenter"... "Stained glass in every window, urinate in every pew"
Actual_Lyric:
Stained glass in every window, Hearing aids in every pew.

 

Confessed_by: laz
My_Misheard_Lyric
AMAZING...mine is also 'New Lindburgh County'
Actual_Lyric:
"... Muhlenberg County"

 

Confessed_by: Kees van der Hoeven
My_Misheard_Lyric
I hate graveyards and old porn' shops ...
Actual_Lyric:
... pawn shops ... (Souvenirs)

 

Confessed_by: Ryder
My_Misheard_Lyric
Whiskey and fame both taste the same during the time they go down.
Actual_Lyric:
Whiskey and pain? both taste the same....

 

Confessed_by: Luvkat
My_Misheard_Lyric 
"I'll bet it's tomorrow morning by old Rocket Man's Time".....made sense, you know, time travel and the speed of light and all....never paid attention to the actual name of the song until some time later ;)
Actual_Lyric:
"I'll bet it's tomorrow morning by old Rocky Mountain Time"

 

Confessed_by: Lyla Bridges
My_Misheard_Lyric
Lyla's a blessing, She's a delicatessen, since my name is Lyla. I was thrilled that he used my name in a song. WRONG.
Actual_Lyric:
Life is a blessing it's a delicatessen.

 

Confessed_by: Rob Kulbeth - Houston
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Darlene, can I be your middle man?"
Actual_Lyric:
"Darling, can I be your middle man?" (Middle Man)

 

Confessed_by: Prescott
My_Misheard_Lyric
...found Mom and Dad in a home. I figured "they're old they're in a home. Makes perfect sense to me."
Actual_Lyric:
...Mom and Dad and home.

 

Confessed_by: Reg Ferris
My_Misheard_Lyric
While the men on the hill sit perfectly still 
Actual_Lyric:
While the mentally ill sit perfectly still  (The Late John Garfield Blues)

 

Confessed_by: Reg Ferris
My_Misheard_Lyric
I hate graveyards and old bombed shops 
Actual_Lyric:
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops  (Souvenirs)

 

Confessed_by: bobby ragno jr.
My_Misheard_Lyric
"met a young fella on Franklin street, and the lamppost bugs aglow."
Actual_Lyric:
"midnight fell on Franklin street, and the lamppost BULBS were broke.(duh)

 

Confessed_by: K Fischer
My_Misheard_Lyric
Feelin's are strange, especially in the country
Actual_Lyric:
Feelin's are strange, especially when they come true

 

Confessed_by: anne j
My_Misheard_Lyric
My dumb old father thought it was eyes of a clam, and half an enchilada...
Actual_Lyric:
eyes of a clown, and half an inch of water (I discover this but he was to stupid to realize it)

 

Confessed_by: MGM FROM THE GPJPFC
My_Misheard_Lyric
"a suburbanite cried with his friends by the light of the moon
Actual_Lyric:
"I drank bourbon and cried with a friend by the light of the moon"

 

Confessed_by: Wendy
My_Misheard_Lyric
Then we'll whistle and go fishing in The Ibin (I thought it was the name of a river)
Actual_Lyric:
Then we'll whistle and go fishing in heaven

 

Confessed_by: Wendy
My_Misheard_Lyric
...loved that woman to the power of a hat 
Actual_Lyric:
...loved that woman to the power of a height (There She Goes)

 

Confessed_by: yorab
My_Misheard_Lyric
I sipped bourbon and cried while a friend bought a bottle of Boone
Actual_Lyric:
I sipped bourbon and cried with a friend by the light of the moon

 

Confessed_by: AM's daddy
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Knocks his old boss around the old golf course." I play golf with my boss and regularly beat him, so this sounded just fine to me.
Actual_Lyric:
"Knocks his old balls around the old golf course.

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan (now this is getting embarrassing)
My_Misheard_Lyric
you were flippin' phoney chicken talkin' .....
Actual_Lyric:
you with flippin' for the check and talking like your tongue was paralyzed

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
like a noise and you're dead end of lovin'
Actual_Lyric:
like a nun with her head in the oven

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
I got no money and my butt is broke
Actual_Lyric:
I got no money and my buddy's broke

 

Confessed_by: zitiman
My_Misheard_Lyric
pits hoppin' in the larder and you fling the booger down
Actual_Lyric:
it's a half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown

 

Confessed_by: holly
My_Misheard_Lyric
"There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes" Now, I have been listening to this song since I was pretty young, and pictured some sort of Bionic Man with a cash box underneath the skin of his biceps, for safe keeping, you know. My mother finally explained it to me years ago.
Actual_Lyric:
Now, I have been listening to this song since I was pretty young, and pictured some sort of Bionic Man with a cash box underneath the skin of his biceps, for safe keeping, you know. My mother finally explained it to me years ago.

 

Confessed_by: sue
My_Misheard_Lyric
Barley malts and dozing does as in deer) and little girls are lively. your liveliness has left me in a stew
Actual_Lyric:
barley malts and does eat oats and little girls are lively. your liveliness has left me in a brew.

 

Confessed_by: sisterkind (in a trailer somewhere in alabama)
My_Misheard_Lyric
naked as the ice of a clam
Actual_Lyric:
naked as the eyes of a clown

 

Confessed_by: Rob
My_Misheard_Lyric
"urinate in every pew"
Actual_Lyric:
"hearing aids in every pew"

 

Confessed_by: paul j
My_Misheard_Lyric
I thought it was "it's a half an enchilada when you think you're gonna drown.
Actual_Lyric:
it's a half an inch of water...

 

Confessed_by: Emily
My_Misheard_Lyric
my dad taught my sister and I to sing "Bottomless Lake" around the age of 2, and for YEARS I thought it went "'Stead of looking at fish out the window I wish we'd hit the bottom of the bottom o' this lake."
Actual_Lyric: "'Stead of looking at fish out the window I wish we'd hit the bottom of the Bottomless Lake."

 

Confessed_by: Rangeroo
My_Misheard_Lyric
"and give the girls the bench"
Actual_Lyric:
"and give the girls a pinch" (Fish and Whistle)

 

Confessed_by: Suzanne B
My_Misheard_Lyric
"tear stains in every pew" (that seemed sooo sad...)
Actual_Lyric:
Hearing aids in every pew.

 

Confessed_by: mike c.
My_Misheard_Lyric
the first Prine song I tried to memorize I heard it as "a bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down, and ONE." I constantly was wonderin' what the heck that lyric meant.
Actual_Lyric:
"a bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down, and WON." generic beer enlightened me one night : )

 

Confessed_by: mike c.
My_Misheard_Lyric
My 10 year old daughter still insists it's "Poor little Jimmy"
Actual_Lyric:
"Forbidden Jimmy"

 

Confessed_by: J.P. Martin
My_Misheard_Lyric
My omen (something mentioned in the song actually happened to me 'torcher`, and now I'm worried about a phony rap.
Actual_Lyric:
My woman

 

Confessed_by: Hope (I'm an idiot)
My_Misheard_Lyric
Beer maids in every pew
Actual_Lyric:
Hearing aids in every pew

 

Confessed_by: Carley Cusack
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Naked as the ass of a clam"
Actual_Lyric:
"Naked as the eyes of a clown"

 

Confessed_by: Julie (lightnin'head)
My_Misheard_Lyric
Jimmy bought the liquor, I bought the kryptonite....
Actual_Lyric:
Jimmy bought the liquor, I bought the cups and ice.......

 

Confessed_by: poison sumac
My_Misheard_Lyric
Down by the Rio Dam
Actual_Lyric:
Don't let your baby down

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)

 

Confessed_by: Bill Webb
My_Misheard_Lyric
Rock hell to stone (I don't know how I came up with this)
Actual_Lyric:
Through rock and through stone (From the chorus of Sweet Revenge)

 

Confessed_by: Tom Doig
My_Misheard_Lyric
For the one armed tattoo
Actual_Lyric:
"For the one I'm tied to" (from Backstreet Affair)

 

Confessed_by: Sarah Dean
My_Misheard_Lyric
Four blonde salads and an empty room
Actual_Lyric:
Full blown silence in an empty room

 

Confessed_by: Martin Adams  aka MA
My_Misheard_Lyric
From : One Red Rose "Pressed between the holy half of bed. Somehow this made sense to me, assuming of course she who knows everything slept on that side.
Actual_Lyric:
Pressed between the Holy Alphabet

 

Confessed_by: Dave Stallard
My_Misheard_Lyric
they got mesmerized by alibis and limbo-dancing bears. (Chorus from Common Sense)
Actual_Lyric:
They got mesmerized by lullabies and limbo danced in pairs.

 

Confessed_by: kevin g.
My_Misheard_Lyric
fix your own supper babe, I run off with a toilet brush man
Actual_Lyric:
run off with the fuller brush man

 

Confessed_by: Donna P.
My_Misheard_Lyric
He was a self made pervert, he was grinnin' by the light of the moon
Actual_Lyric:
I sipped bourbon and cried with a friend by the light of the moon

 

Confessed_by: me again - jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
she coulda been less risk concerned
Actual_Lyric:
she could've been Miss Wisconsin a long time ago

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
something about Taco Bell
Actual_Lyric:
something about chapel bell (you never can tell)

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
the wife beater's on the run
Actual_Lyric:
"The white meat is on the run..."

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
red pennies on Sunday morning black nickels on Saturday night (too much time on the tractor again)
Actual_Lyric:
"Cried pennies on Sunday morning, Laughs nickels on Saturday night"

 

Confessed_by: Krissy Nickerson
My_Misheard_Lyric
rock Elvis is on (this is how my mom always sang it! "krrazi41")
Actual_Lyric:
"...Through rock and through stone"

 

Confessed_by: Helen Back
My_Misheard_Lyric
I thought for years it was "Anguished Love" (gives you an idea of where my head was at)
Actual_Lyric:
"Aimless Love"

 

Confessed_by: tyson norman
My_Misheard_Lyric
I said Fix your own supper babe I've run off with the blue brush band
Actual_Lyric:
"I said fix your own supper babe, I've run off with the fuller brush man"

 

Confessed_by: krrazi41
My_Misheard_Lyric
She said "Pa, take all the money"
Actual_Lyric:
"She said 'Carl, take all the money'"

 

Confessed_by: Carol
My_Misheard_Lyric
Some of us spend hours in front of a Friday night beer.
Actual_Lyric: "Some of us spend hours in front of a Friday night mirror."

 

Confessed_by: jp1fan
My_Misheard_Lyric
left Billy justa' palmin' his dreams
Actual_Lyric:
"Left Billy just a bum in his dreams"

 

Confessed_by: Behindblueeyes
My_Misheard_Lyric
Chain smoke them old cigarettes
Actual_Lyric:
"Chain smoked Camel cigarettes"

 

Confessed_by: PMS (deaf in one ear)*red
My_Misheard_Lyric
"Urinatin' in every pew" (Okay now I don't feel so bad after that last one)
Actual_Lyric:
"... hearin aids in every pew ..."

 

Confessed_by: slinkyman
My_Misheard_Lyric
My mother thought: "Defecate in both of my ears..."
Actual_Lyric: "Deaf can take both of my ears..."

 

Confessed_by: PMS*red
My_Misheard_Lyric
Daddy won't you take me back to New Lindbergh County
Actual_Lyric:
"Daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County"

 

My turn to share my happy enchilada  (add my misheard lyrics)


 

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Join the Official John Prine/Oh Boy Records Mailing List!
John Prine dot Net Welcome to the John Prine Shrine - The online John Prine Fan Club - jpshrine.orgOh Boy Records - Company of John Prine

©1996-2016 John Prine Shrine