I Walk the Line
Hot Rod Lincoln Lyrics

In "I Walk the Line," Johnny Cash declares his dedication to his beloved and vow of staying faithful and true to her. The repeated phrase, "I Keep A Close Watch On This Heart Of Mine," suggests that Cash's love interest has the power to either mend or break his heart. He affirms his unwavering commitment by saying, "I Keep My Eyes Wide Open All The Time." According to Cash, he pays attention to everything, making sure that he doesn't stray too far away from his love. He follows the motto, "I Keep The Ends Out For The Tie That Binds," which means that he is mindful of avoiding any actions or behavior that could put a strain on his relationship. Finally, he asserts that he remains devoted to his love, concluding with the phrase, "Because You're Mine, I Walk The Line."

Cash admits that it is effortless for him to be loyal to his love because he finds it "very easy to be true." He says that he finds himself alone at the end of each day, but he doesn't seem to mind because he knows that his love interest is on his mind. He states that he is a fool for her but doesn't care about what people think as long as they are together. Cash is confident that his love is genuine, and he feels that it is reflected in his daily life.

He ends the ballad with saying that his love has a way of motivating him to stay by her side no matter what happens. He says that his love doesn't give him a reason to hide his feelings and he'd even attempt to change the situation for her sake. All in all, the song expresses the depth of Cash's love and commitment to his beloved.