Folsom Prison Blues
F-Holes Lyrics
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It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, ""Son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns, ""
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther 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
The lyrics to F-Holes' song "Folsom Prison Blues" tell the story of a narrator who is serving time in Folsom Prison and is longing for freedom. The song paints a picture of the singer's despair and his yearning for a different life. The mention of the train symbolizes the passage of time and the feeling that life is moving on without him.
The first verse sets the scene of the singer's confinement, emphasizing his isolation and longing for the outside world. The repetitive mention of not seeing the sunshine and time dragging on underscores the monotony and hopelessness of prison life. The mention of the train rolling and heading to San Antone creates a contrast between the freedom of movement that the train represents and the singer's confinement.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on the advice given to him by his mother. He recalls being warned against playing with guns, but admits to having shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. This confession reveals a darker side to the singer's character, suggesting that his incarceration may be justified. The sound of the whistle blowing serves as a trigger for remorse and sorrow, evoking his guilt and the consequences of his actions.
The final verse presents a juxtaposition between the singer's imprisoned existence and the perceived luxury enjoyed by the wealthy. He imagines the rich people dining and indulging in pleasures while he remains trapped in Folsom Prison. The singer acknowledges his own culpability in his current situation and recognizes that he cannot be free. The continuous movement of the people outside of prison is what torments him the most, as it represents the freedom he longs for.
The song concludes with a bittersweet fantasy of being freed from prison and having his own railroad train. The singer envisions a future where he can escape his confinement, move away from Folsom Prison, and leave his blues behind. The lonesome whistle serves as a symbol of catharsis, suggesting that the act of escaping and leaving his troubles behind would bring him some solace.
Overall, "Folsom Prison Blues" delves into themes of confinement, regret, longing, and the desire for freedom. It reflects on the consequences of one's actions and explores the dream of escaping a bleak existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin'
I have a sense of impending change or opportunity
It's rollin' 'round the bend
It's steadily approaching or getting closer
And I ain't seen the sunshine
I haven't experienced freedom or happiness
Since, I don't know when
For an indefinite period of time
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I'm trapped in a place of confinement
And time keeps draggin' on
And the passing of time feels slow and burdensome
But that train keeps a-rollin'
But the movement of the train continues
On down to San Antone
Heading towards a different, more desirable location
When I was just a baby
During my early years
My Mama told me, 'Son
My mother advised me
Always be a good boy
To always behave well and do what is right
Don't ever play with guns,'
To never engage in dangerous or violent activities
But I shot a man in Reno
But I committed a heinous act in Reno
Just to watch him die
Simply out of curiosity and disregard for life
When I hear that whistle blowin'
When I hear the sound of the train's whistle
I hang my head and cry
I feel remorse and sorrow
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I imagine wealthy individuals enjoying a meal
In a fancy dining car
Inside a luxurious compartment designated for dining
They're probably drinkin' coffee
They're likely consuming coffee
And smokin' big cigars
And indulging in large cigars
But I know I had it comin'
But I accept responsibility for my actions
I know I can't be free
I am aware that I cannot attain freedom
But those people keep a-movin'
However, those individuals continue to progress
And that's what tortures me
And that's what causes me distress
Well, if they freed me from this prison
Well, if they released me from this confinement
If that railroad train was mine
If I owned that train
I bet I'd move out over a little
I would likely relocate a short distance away
Farther down the line
Towards a more distant future or destination
Far from Folsom Prison
Distant from the confines of Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
That's where I desire to remain
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
And I would allow that melancholic whistle
Blow my blues away
To alleviate and dissipate my sorrows
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John R Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LebSista
I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since
I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me
"Son, always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry
š¶šøš¶šøš¶šøš¶
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin'
And that's what tortures me
š¶šøš¶šøš¶šøš¶
Well if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther 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
@DirkDraussen
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, "Son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
If they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther 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.
So Great!
@speakeroftruth5739
"Hello i'm Johnny Cash" I never heard of a more iconic line
@blacksmith093
Facts
@ethanlewis5993
Gives me chills every damn time
@pfoster1666
A couple of days ago I saw a guy with a black T-shirt with a large picture of John, which said in fancy letters "Johnny Cash / The Man in Black". My first thought would be "John would not approve."
@brucereimers8095
He speaks the truth
@natecalhoun4427
"Let me introduce Led Zeppelin to you" is a close second imo
@gregodonnell1570
Still hits hard in 2023,
great music is timeless.
@vee2739
literally this song has been stuck in my head for like 10 years and I'm only 24 š
@juantrejo2277
Yes sir
@BasedBosniak
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