In the time of the Great Depression came a new rise in the populatiry of Country Music. This is due to the origins of the genera itself having been always associated with reflecting social change. Things really started to pick up for country music in the landmark recording sessions that took place in Bristol, Virgina in 1927, it was there where Hall of Fame country singers Jimmy Rodgers from Mississippi and the Carters from Virginia recorded "The Soldiers Sweetheart" under the brilliant conductor Ralph Peer. This was the first time that America had the chance to embrace country music during the Depression The reason that America flocked to country music in the 1930s was due to the way the music was easily to relate to. By the 1930s, due to the Depression, 55 percent of the people in the agricultural field did not own the land that they cultivated. With this level of poverty and the origins of country coming from the southern farm towns people did not have any trouble identifying with what they were listening to. As Bill Malone states, that country music is so deep in its roots that it will forever remain a genre of music for the working class.[18] Not only was country music popular in the agricultural populations, its reach extended into the field of industrial factory workers. In the 1930s the small town of Carolina Piedmont underwent a large change from a farm town into the largest textile producing region in the world. It was during this time that country music was listened to in greater numbers by the factory workers that could identify well with the songs written about the struggles of an American Citizen working in the factory.
The origins of modern country music can be traced to two seminal influences and a remarkable coincidence. Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family are widely considered to be the founders of country music, and their songs were first captured at a historic recording session in Bristol, Tennessee/Bristol, Virginia on August 1, 1927, where Ralph Peer was the talent scout and sound recordist.
Rodgers fused hillbilly country, gospel, jazz, blues, pop, cowboy, and folk; and many of his best songs were his compositions, including “Blue Yodel”, which sold over a million records and established Rodgers as the premier singer of early country music.
Beginning in 1927, and for the next 17 years the Carters recorded some 300 old-time ballads, traditional tunes, country songs, and Gospel hymns, all representative of America's southeastern folklore and heritage.
One effect of the Great Depression was to reduce the number of records that could be sold. Radio, and broadcasting, became a popular source of entertainment, and "barn dance" shows featuring country music were started all over the South, as far north as Chicago, and as far west as California. One of the most important of these shows was the Grand Ole Opry from 650 WSM in Nashville, TN. Some of the early stars on the Opry were Uncle Dave Macon, Roy Acuff, and African American harmonica player DeFord Bailey. WSM's 50,000 watt signal could often be heard across the country.
Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire
I fell into a burnin' ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
I fell into a burnin' ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild
I fell into a burnin' ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
I fell into a burnin' ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" is a song about the passion and intensity of romantic love. The opening lines of the song, "Love is a burnin' thing / And it makes a fiery ring," suggest that love is both powerful and all-consuming. The phrase "fiery ring" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the intensity of the emotions involved in romantic love, as well as the potential danger and risk of getting too close.
The lyrics go on to describe how the singer fell into this "ring of fire" as a result of "wild desire." The repetition of the phrase "I fell into a burnin' ring of fire" throughout the song emphasizes the idea that the singer is completely consumed by this love.
Further, the last stanza of the song, "I fell for you like a child / Oh, but the fire went wild," highlights the vulnerability and naivete of the singer. The imagery of the fire going wild suggests that love has the power to transform and even overpower someone who is not prepared for its intensity.
Overall, "Ring of Fire" is a powerful and evocative song that captures the passion and intensity of romantic love.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a burnin' thing
Love is an intense, passionate emotion
And it makes a fiery ring
Love can be all-consuming and overwhelming
Bound by wild desire
The desire and passion in a relationship can be uncontrollable
I fell into a ring of fire
I became engulfed in the passionate and intense love of this relationship
I went down, down, down
I became completely immersed in this love
And the flames went higher
The intensity and passion of this love continued to grow
And it burns, burns, burns
The feelings and emotions of this love are all-consuming and unrelenting
The taste of love is sweet
Love can be a delightful and pleasurable experience
When hearts like ours meet
When two people are deeply in love, it can feel like destiny
I fell for you like a child
I fell in love with you in a innocent and pure way
Oh, but the fire went wild
But this love quickly grew into an intense and passionate relationship
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
The emotions and intensity of this love are like a ring of fire that cannot be contained
Lyrics © Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: June Carter, Merle Kilgore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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