I Walk the Line
Crowell Rodney Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm back on board that '49 Ford in 1956
Long before the sun came up way out in the sticks
The headlight showed a two rut roadway, back up in the pines
First time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line

I got my thrill behind the wheel upon my daddy?s lap
Grandpa rode co-pilot with a flashlight and a map
Cane pole out the window it was in the summertime
First time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I never will forget that day, I know the time and place
Sounded like the whole thing came right down from outer space
I still can see those headlights and that dashboard in my mind
The first time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day's through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line

All these long years later it's still music to my ears
I swear it sounds as good right now as anything I hear
I've seen the Mona Lisa, I've heard Shakespeare read real fine
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've know proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line





Because you're mine, I walk the line

Overall Meaning

In Crowell Rodney's song I Walk The Line, the lyrics express the singer's reminiscence of his childhood and the impact Johnny Cash's famous song "I Walk The Line" had on him. The song opens with the image of a young boy sitting on his father's lap, behind the wheel of a 1949 Ford in the early hours of a summer morning driving down the two-rut roadway back in the pines. As the car's headlights brighten the dark and serpentine road, the boy hears Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line" on the radio for the first time. The song quickly captured the boy's imagination with its catchy melody and thoughtful lyrics, which left an indelible mark on him.


The second verse of the song is all about happy and carefree summer days as a child, with grandpa by his side, poking through their various destinations with the help of a flashlight and a hastily drawn map. The boy finds solace in the simplicity of things like dangling his cane pole out the window, absorbing the sounds of nature, inhaling the warm summer air, and feeling the beating of his heart. The song's chorus seems to indicate that the boy found inspiration in Cash's song and decided then and there to become a man of honor, committed to honesty and loyalty in his relationships.


In conclusion, the song "I Walk The Line" is a nostalgic tribute to the power of music and how it can influence one's life. It also expresses the importance of loyalty and honesty in relationships and how these qualities can help people overcome life's challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm back on board that '49 Ford in 1956
I am recalling a time when I was in a 1949 Ford in the year 1956.


Long before the sun came up way out in the sticks
This was in a rural area, far away from cities, and we were up before the sunrise.


The headlight showed a two rut roadway, back up in the pines
The only way we could see the road was from the Ford's headlights, and it was a dirt road through a forest of pine trees.


First time I heard Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
It was the first time I ever heard Johnny Cash sing the song 'I Walk the Line.'


I got my thrill behind the wheel upon my daddy?s lap
My father taught me how to drive in that Ford.


Grandpa rode co-pilot with a flashlight and a map
My grandfather helped with navigation by reading a map and holding a flashlight.


Cane pole out the window it was in the summertime
I remember having a fishing rod sticking out of the car window during the summer.


I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I am careful with my emotions and try to keep them under control.


I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I am alert and attentive at all times.


I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
I make an effort to maintain strong relationships with those important to me.


Because you're mine, I walk the line
I am loyal to you.


I never will forget that day, I know the time and place
I remember the exact moment when I first heard that song.


Sounded like the whole thing came right down from outer space
The music was so powerful and moving that it felt like it was from another world.


I still can see those headlights and that dashboard in my mind
I have clear memories of the car dashboard and headlights.


I find it very, very easy to be true
I have no difficulty being truthful and honest.


I find myself alone when each day's through
At the end of each day, I often find myself by myself.


Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
I know that my love for you might make me do foolish things.


All these long years later it's still music to my ears
Even after all these years, the song still sounds great to me.


I swear it sounds as good right now as anything I hear
I believe that this song is as good as any music I hear today.


I've seen the Mona Lisa, I've heard Shakespeare read real fine
I have had the pleasure of experiencing great works of art and literature.


Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I walk the line
Despite these other experiences, nothing compares to hearing Johnny Cash sing 'I Walk the Line.'


As sure as night is dark and day is light
As certain as the basic facts of life, such as the difference between day and night.


I keep you on my mind both day and night
I think about you constantly, day and night.


And happiness I've know proves that it's right
My happiness with you is proof that being loyal and devoted to someone is the right thing to do.


Because you're mine, I walk the line
I am committed to walking the line and being loyal to you.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH, RODNEY J. CROWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

John Bruno

This song is definitely criminally underrated.

By The Fireside

Rodney Crowell said in an interview why that's the case. A couple years before recording this after Country Radio totally ignored Cash when he did his first album with Rick Ruben, Ruben took out an ad with the iconic image of Cash giving the finger with a sarcastic message "thanking" country radio for their "support".

Crowell stated after recording this, industry people told him it would be a smash hit that people would go nuts for, but they'll never play it because of the ad.
Country Radio gladly snubbed himself and the greatest of all time because Ruben and Cash called them out for snubbing him before

JOHN SMITH

Not Enough GOOD Things can be Said about Rodney Crowell..... One of the Best Song Writers of our Time.... GENIUS....

Mar-en france

Totally agree! 😊

Clay Smith

most people dont know how talented Rodney is,he has written music and cowritten music that will out live us both.

AFTERBURNER

I’m a rock n roll heavy metal guy and Johnny Cash is the coolest man to ever pick up a guitar.

CM car scene

I’m rock and country but my favourite rock band is status quo and fav country is Johnny cash and Merle haggard

Drew Roberts

Elvis tho

highnrising

Best artist tribute song ever.
"I've seen the Mona Lisa, I've heard Shakespeare read real fine
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I Walk the Line."

Helena Hentzelova

Liberec - ( Česká republika ) Krásné slova, Dobře se poslouchá❤👍

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