When the prophet speaks, mostly no one listens
When the prophet speaks and no one hears
Only those who have ears to listen
Only those that are trained to hear

Come closer now, I'll tell you what they whisper
Closer now, we'll whisper it in your ear
What big ears you've got when you get the details
Do you understand, do I make it clear?

When the prophet speaks, yeah, no one listens
When the prophet speaks, mostly no one hears
Only those that are trained to listen
Only those who have ears to hear

When the prophet speaks, well, no one listens
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Don't you have no fear
You gotta get the truth on what is happening
When the prophet speaks, have to make it clear

Come closer now and I will whisper
Whisper the secret in your ear
What thick ears you've got when you get all the details
Do you understand, do I make myself clear?

When the prophet speaks, you've got to listen
When the prophet speaks, you've got to get the truth
When the prophet speaks, don't need no explanation
When the prophet speaks, have to make it move

Prophet speaks
No one listens when the prophet speaks
Mainly nobody hears
Only those that are trained to listen
Only those who have ears to hear


Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher

The Prophet Speaks Lyrics as written by Van Morrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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The Prophet Speaks song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    This title track concludes the album with its searching about a nameless prophet who no-one wants to listen to. It’s a somewhat “spiritual” song but clothed in typical Van mystery that only the few want to hear this prophet’s message. Perhaps shades of biblical passages are in mind like Matthew 11:15, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Who this prophet is appears unclear but to seek the truth may not be popular with the masses but only to those with listening ears. Whatever this prophet is saying is worth listening out for and at times Van appears to suggest that it is he who is this prophet! Musically the song is a soft bluesy ballad with Spanish sounding guitar over a once more laid-back jazz melody with great bass and harmonica to end.

    robertcousinson February 15, 2019   Link

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