Folsom Prison Blues
Alan Ladd Lyrics
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And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps dragging on
And that train keeps rolling
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby, my Mama told me
Don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
But when I hear that whistle blowing
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
Probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
But I know I had it coming
I know I can't be free
But those people keep moving
And that's what tortures me (Tortures)
And if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
Bet I'd move it on a little further down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
Yeah, I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
The song "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash is a heartbreaking account of a prisoner's life. The lyrics are written from the perspective of an inmate in Folsom Prison, who longs to be free from the hard labor and isolation that has become his daily routine. The song opens with the sound of a train, which becomes symbolic of the prisoner's hopelessness and frustration. The train is a reminder that life is moving on outside of the prison walls, while the singer remains trapped within them. He laments that he hasn't "seen the sunshine since [he] don't know when," emphasising the confinement he feels.
The second verse tells us that the singer was not always a criminal. As a baby, he was advised by his mother to always be a good boy and never play with guns. Nevertheless, he ended up committing a heinous crime, shooting a man in Reno just to watch him die. Despite this, he still feels remorse for his actions, as evidenced by the line "But when I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry." He is still human and can still remember what he has done.
In the final verse, the prisoner sees a passing train as a symbol of hope. He knows he will never be able to ride it to freedom, but he imagines what it would be like. He imagines moving it down the line and being free from his lonely existence in Folsom Prison. However, the reality is that he is stuck within the walls of the prison, where the lonesome whistle only serves to remind him of his plight.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a coming rolling 'round the bend
I can hear the sound of the train as it comes down the track
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I haven't seen the sun for such a long time that I don't even remember the last time I saw it
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I am confined to this prison
And time keeps dragging on
Time seems to be moving very slowly
And that train keeps rolling
The train never seems to stop or slow down
On down to San Antone
It heads towards San Antonio, Texas
When I was just a baby, my Mama told me
My mother told me when I was a child
Son, always be a good boy
Son, make sure to always behave well
Don't ever play with guns
Don't ever play with weapons or firearms
But I shot a man in Reno
However, I once killed a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
I did it for the thrill of seeing him lose his life
But when I hear that whistle blowing
But when I hear the sound of the train's whistle blowing
I hang my head and cry
I feel deep sorrow and shame
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
There are probably wealthy people enjoying a luxurious meal in the dining car
Probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
They're likely drinking coffee and smoking fancy cigars
But I know I had it coming
But I realize that what happened to me is just punishment for my mistakes
I know I can't be free
I understand that I cannot be released from prison
But those people keep moving
But those people in the fancy dining car keep travelling
And that's what tortures me (Tortures)
And that is what causes me great mental suffering and pain
And if they freed me from this prison
If I were to be released from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
If I owned that railroad train
Bet I'd move it on a little further down the line
I would probably move it a bit farther down the track
Far from Folsom Prison
Far away from this prison
That's where I want to stay
That is where I desire to remain
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
And I would allow that sad whistle
Blow my blues away
To lift my spirits and bring some joy into my life
Yeah, I'd let that lonesome whistle
Yes, I would allow that sad whistle
Blow my blues away
To dispel my sadness and bring happiness to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind