This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/21/2021
Prince handwritten lyrics in pencil for "The Ladder". One page, measuring 8 x 10. The lyrics read, in full: "Once upon a time in the land of Sinaplenty / there lived a king who didn't deserve 2 be / He knew not from where he came nor where he was going / He never once said thank never please. / Now this king he had a subject named Electra / Who loved him with a passion uncontested / For him each day she had a smile but it didn't matter / The King was looking 4 the ladder. / Everybody's looking 4 the ladder / Everybody want salvation of the soul / The steps u take are no easy road / But the reward is great 4 those who wanna go / A feeling of self-worth will caress u / The size of the whole wide world will decrease / The love of God's creation will undress u / And time spent alone my friend will cease / Everybody's looking 4 the answer / How the story started and how it will end / But what's the use in half-a story half-a dream / U have 2 climb all the steps in between." Prince recorded the initial tracking for 'The Ladder' song on December 23, 1984, at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse, and it became the eighth track on his seventh studio album, Around the World in a Day. The lyrics written here are a fairly exacting rendition of the song as recorded. This is one of the many songs in Prince's canon to carry an overt religious message, in the vein of 'Controversy,' in which he recites the Lord's Prayer, and 'Let’s Go Crazy,' which opens with a preacher's sermon on the afterlife. Simply superb handwritten lyrics from the popular music icon. Very good condition. Comes with a Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity.