Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer, guitarist, actor, songwriter, author. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. Although primarily remembered as a country music icon, his genre-spanning songs and sound embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel.
Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-sound guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark, all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black." He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues".
Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue"; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding); and railroad songs including "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden.
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was the fourth of seven children, who were in birth order: Roy, Margaret Louise, Jack, J. R., Reba, Joanne, and Tommy (who also became a successful country artist). He was primarily of English and Scottish descent. As an adult he traced his surname to 11th-century Fife, after meeting with the then-laird of Falkland, Major Michael Crichton-Stuart. Cash Loch and other locations in Fife bear the name of his family.
At birth, Cash was named J. R. Cash. When Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was not permitted to use initials as a first name, so he changed his name to John R. Cash. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he started going by Johnny Cash.
In March 1935, when Cash was three years old, the family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established to give poor families a chance to work land that they had a chance to own as a result. Cash started working in cotton fields at the age of five, singing along with his family while working. The Cash farm experienced a flood during the family's time in Dyess, which led Cash later to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Great Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties. Consequently, Cash had sympathy for the poor and working class throughout his life.
Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack. On Saturday May 12, 1944, Jack was pulled into an unguarded table saw at his high school while cutting oak into fence posts as his job and was almost cut in two. He lingered until the following Saturday, when he died. Cash often spoke of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident; according to Cash: The Autobiography, his father was away that morning, but Johnny, his mother, and even Jack himself, all had premonitions or a sense of foreboding about that day. His mother urged Jack to skip work and go fishing with his brother, but Jack insisted on working since the family needed the money at the time. On his deathbed, Jack said he had visions of Heaven and angels. Decades later, Cash spoke of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 12. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after his voice changed.
In high school, he sang on a local radio station. Decades later, he released an album of traditional gospel songs, called My Mother's Hymn Book. He was also significantly influenced by traditional Irish music, which he heard performed weekly by Dennis Day on the Jack Benny radio program.
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy–Drager syndrome, a form of multiple system atrophy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, the disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and Cash even announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's after nearly collapsing on stage in Flint, Michigan, on October 25, 1997. Soon afterwards, his diagnosis was changed to Shy–Drager, and Cash was told he had about 18 months to live. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. The illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs.
During the last stage of his career, Cash released the albums American III: Solitary Man (2000) and American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). American IV included cover songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails commented that he was initially skeptical about Cash's plan to cover "Hurt", but was later impressed and moved by the rendition. The video for "Hurt" received critical and popular acclaim, including a Grammy Award.
June Carter Cash died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73. June had told Cash to keep working, so he continued to record, completing 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, and even performed a few surprise shows at the Carter Family Fold outside Bristol, Virginia. At the July 5, 2003, concert (his last public performance), before singing "Ring of Fire", Cash read a statement about his late wife that he had written shortly before taking the stage:
"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart. "
Cash continued to record until shortly before his death. His final recordings were made on August 21, 2003, and consisted of "Like the 309", which appeared on American V: A Hundred Highways in 2006, and the final song he completed, "Engine 143", which was recorded for his son John Carter Cash for a planned Carter Family tribute album.
Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-sound guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark, all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black." He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues".
Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue"; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding); and railroad songs including "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden.
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was the fourth of seven children, who were in birth order: Roy, Margaret Louise, Jack, J. R., Reba, Joanne, and Tommy (who also became a successful country artist). He was primarily of English and Scottish descent. As an adult he traced his surname to 11th-century Fife, after meeting with the then-laird of Falkland, Major Michael Crichton-Stuart. Cash Loch and other locations in Fife bear the name of his family.
At birth, Cash was named J. R. Cash. When Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was not permitted to use initials as a first name, so he changed his name to John R. Cash. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he started going by Johnny Cash.
In March 1935, when Cash was three years old, the family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established to give poor families a chance to work land that they had a chance to own as a result. Cash started working in cotton fields at the age of five, singing along with his family while working. The Cash farm experienced a flood during the family's time in Dyess, which led Cash later to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Great Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties. Consequently, Cash had sympathy for the poor and working class throughout his life.
Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack. On Saturday May 12, 1944, Jack was pulled into an unguarded table saw at his high school while cutting oak into fence posts as his job and was almost cut in two. He lingered until the following Saturday, when he died. Cash often spoke of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident; according to Cash: The Autobiography, his father was away that morning, but Johnny, his mother, and even Jack himself, all had premonitions or a sense of foreboding about that day. His mother urged Jack to skip work and go fishing with his brother, but Jack insisted on working since the family needed the money at the time. On his deathbed, Jack said he had visions of Heaven and angels. Decades later, Cash spoke of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 12. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after his voice changed.
In high school, he sang on a local radio station. Decades later, he released an album of traditional gospel songs, called My Mother's Hymn Book. He was also significantly influenced by traditional Irish music, which he heard performed weekly by Dennis Day on the Jack Benny radio program.
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy–Drager syndrome, a form of multiple system atrophy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, the disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and Cash even announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's after nearly collapsing on stage in Flint, Michigan, on October 25, 1997. Soon afterwards, his diagnosis was changed to Shy–Drager, and Cash was told he had about 18 months to live. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. The illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs.
During the last stage of his career, Cash released the albums American III: Solitary Man (2000) and American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). American IV included cover songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails commented that he was initially skeptical about Cash's plan to cover "Hurt", but was later impressed and moved by the rendition. The video for "Hurt" received critical and popular acclaim, including a Grammy Award.
June Carter Cash died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73. June had told Cash to keep working, so he continued to record, completing 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, and even performed a few surprise shows at the Carter Family Fold outside Bristol, Virginia. At the July 5, 2003, concert (his last public performance), before singing "Ring of Fire", Cash read a statement about his late wife that he had written shortly before taking the stage:
"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart. "
Cash continued to record until shortly before his death. His final recordings were made on August 21, 2003, and consisted of "Like the 309", which appeared on American V: A Hundred Highways in 2006, and the final song he completed, "Engine 143", which was recorded for his son John Carter Cash for a planned Carter Family tribute album.
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100 Hits Legends - Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash Lyrics
All Over Again Every time I look at you I fall in love All…
Are All the Children In? When I'm alone I often think of an old house…
Ballad of a Teenage Queen (Dream on, dream on teenage queen prettiest girl we've ever…
Big River Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, And I…
Boss Jack Pick a lot o'cotton drag a long sack comin' across…
Clementine (Oh my darling Clementine) She knew that Cody was the…
Cold Shoulder Well, it's plain to see you're givin' me a cold…
Come in Stranger She said come in stranger It's good to have you…
Country Boy Country boy, ain't got no shoes Country boy, ain't got no…
Cry, Cry, Cry Everybody knows where you go when the sun goes down I…
Doin' My Time On this rock pile, with my ball and chain. They call…
Don't Make Me Go You take my hand and smile at me But I can…
Don't Step On Mother's Roses We all were called to come back To the old home…
Don't Take Your Guns to Town A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the…
Dorraine of Ponchartrain As I walked by the lake one day by chance…
Down the Street to 301 There's a boy across the street lately he's looked very…
Drink to Me (Drink to me drink to me drink to me drink…
Five Feet High and Rising How high's the water, mama? Two feet high and risin' How hig…
Folsom Prison Blues I hear the train a-comin' It's rollin' 'round the bend And I…
Fool's Hall of Fame Well if I live to be a hundred, I won't…
Frankie's Man, Johnny Well now Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts They were true …
Get Rhythm Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues C'mon get rhythm,…
Give My Love to Rose I found him by the railroad track this morning I could…
Going to Memphis Bring a drink of water Leroy bring a drink of…
Goodbye Little Darlin' Goodbye little darlin', we're parted Parting don't always me…
Guess Things Happen That Way Well, you asked me if I'll forget my baby I guess…
Hank and Joe and Me In the desert where we searched for gold The days're hot…
Hey Good Lookin' Hey, hey, good lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's about cook…
Hey Porter Hey, Porter Hey Porter Would you tell me the time? How much …
Home Of The Blues Just around the corner there's heartache Down the street tha…
Honky Tonk Girl Don't be fool by big blue eyes by a smile…
I Could Never Be Ashamed of You Everybody says you let me down I should be ashamed…
I Culdn't Keep From Crying I saw you walking by his side heard you whisper…
I Forgot to Remember to Forget I forgot to remember to forget her I can't seem to…
I Got Stripes On a Monday, I was arrested (uh huh) On a Tuesday,…
I Just Thought You'd Like to Know I just thought you'd like to know Since you'd made your…
I Love You Because I love you because you understand dear Every single thing I…
I Saw a Man Last night I dreamed An angel came He took my hand He called…
I Still Miss Someone They'll probably take that word out of it At my door…
I Walk the Line I find it very, very easy to be true I find…
I Want to Go Home We sailed on the ship John B my grandfather and…
I Was There When It Happened There are some people who say we cannot tell Whether we…
I Will Miss You When You Go I will miss you when you go much more than…
I'd Rather Die Young I'd rather die young than grow old without you So…
I'll Remember You I'll remember you Long after this endless summer has gone I'…
If the Good Lord's Willing If the good Lord's willing and the creek stays down I'll…
It's Just About Time (Just about time I'm feelin' blue tryin' to get over…
Just One More Put the bottle on the table let it stay there…
Katy Too I'm not the going steady kind I miss 'em all, all…
Life Goes On My baby left me just the other day I guess the…
Lonesome Whistle I was riding Number Nine Heading south from Caroline I heard…
Luther Played the Boogie We were just a plain ol' hillbilly band with a…
Mama's Baby She said that she just couldn't leave her mother I met…
Mean-Eyed Cat I give my woman half my money at the general…
My Grandfather's Clock My grandfather's clock was too large for the shelf So it…
My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You I may say that I don't care hold up head…
Next in Line The next in line will be someone who loves you The…
Oh Lonesome Me Everybody's going out And having fun (having fun) I'm just…
Oh What a Dream I dreamed I walked in a field of flowers Oh,…
One More Ride I long for the trip I don't need no grip…
Pickin' Time I got cotton in the bottom land It's up and growin'…
Remember Me (I'm the One Who Loves You) When you're all alone and blue No one to tell your…
Rock Island Line Now, this here's a story about the Rock Island Line Well,…
Run Softly, Blue River Run softly blue river my darlin's asleep Run softly blue riv…
Seasons of My Heart The seasons come the seasons go we get a little…
Second Honeymoon Second Honeymoon I walked up to the desk and asked the…
Shepherd of My Heart You're the shepherd of my heart so treat it tenderly It's…
Slow Rider I ride an old paint he's on the worry side And…
Smiling Bill McCall Well, the whole town listened to the radio For the Smiling…
So Doggone Lonesome I do my best to hide this lowdown feelin' I…
Straight A's in Love Well, the readin' and the writin' arithmetic Never did get t…
Supper Time Many years ago in days of childhood I used to…
Thanks a Lot You're tellin' everyone in town that I don't treat you…
That's All Over Mhm mhm when you left I shed a million teardrops…
That's Enough Well now I heard that you been thinking bout me…
The Caretaker I live in the cemetery ol' caretaker they call me…
The Fable of Willie Brown Well I knew a boy named Willie Brown He was…
The Great Speckled Bird What a beautiful thought I am thinking Concerning the great …
The Lumberjack I lived on a farm out in Iowa I pulled…
The Man On the Hill Will we get cold and hungry will times be very…
The Story of a Broken Heart The story of a broken heart Well the springtime is coming…
The Troubadour (Troubadour troubadour troubadour) The troubadour the trouba…
The Ways of a Woman in Love You've cut out your dancing And you never see a show Friends…
There You Go You're gonna break another heart You're gonna tell another l…
These Things Shall Pass These things shall pass and some great morning We'll look…
Time Changes Everything Time has passed I've forgotten mother nature does wonderful …
Train of Love Train of love's a coming big black wheels a humming People…
Transfusion Blues Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds Took a transfusio…
Walkin' The Blues Old Apache squaw how many long lean years you saw How…
What Do I Care When I'm all through if I haven't been what they…
When Papa Played the Dobro My papa was a hobo when they delivered me We didn't…
Wreck of the Old 97 Well, they gave him his orders in Monroe, Virginian, Said, "…
You Dreamer You You dreamer you Well, I dreamed, I walked in a field…
You Tell Me Tell me why she left me I'll tell you why…
You Win Again The news is out all over town That you've been seen…
You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven I have sailed the peaceful waters of the ocean deep…
Anonymous
on Wayfaring Stranger
Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone
There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam
Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep
Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home
Musical Interlude
I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams
I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home