The Great Compromise (song)
Encyclopedia
The Great Compromise is a song written and performed by John Prine
. The song was included on Prine's album Diamonds in the Rough
which was released by Atlantic Records
in 1972. It is an anti-war song and a protest song
. Its theme is the disillusionment of the country during the Vietnam War
era. In the liner notes to his 1993 anthology Great Days
, Prine writes of this song, "The idea I had in mind was that America was this girl you used to take to drive-in movies. And then when you went to get some popcorn, she turned around and screwed some guy in foreign sports car. I really love America. I just don't know how to get there anymore."
Chorus:
'I used to sleep at the foot of old glory
And awake in the dawn’s early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise'
John Prine
John Prine is an American country/folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a recording artist and live performer since the early 1970s.-Biography:...
. The song was included on Prine's album Diamonds in the Rough
Diamonds in the Rough (album)
Diamonds in the Rough is the second studio album by American country/folk singer-songwriter John Prine, released in 1972.-Reception:Writing for Allmusic, critic William Ruhlman wrote of the album "John Prine's second album was a cut below his first, only because the debut was a classic and the...
which was released by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1972. It is an anti-war song and a protest song
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
. Its theme is the disillusionment of the country during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
era. In the liner notes to his 1993 anthology Great Days
Great Days: The John Prine Anthology
Great Days: The John Prine Anthology is a compilation album by American folk singer John Prine, released in 1993.-Reception:Writing for Allmusic, critic Steven Thomas Erlewine called the album an excellent summary of Prine's work and wrote ".....
, Prine writes of this song, "The idea I had in mind was that America was this girl you used to take to drive-in movies. And then when you went to get some popcorn, she turned around and screwed some guy in foreign sports car. I really love America. I just don't know how to get there anymore."
Chorus:
'I used to sleep at the foot of old glory
And awake in the dawn’s early light
But much to my surprise
When I opened my eyes
I was a victim of the great compromise'