Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Folsom Prison Blues
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
But 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
Well if that freed me from this prison
and 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
The above lyrics belong to Jerry Lee Lewis's song "Folsom Prison Blues." In the song, the singer describes his experience in Folsom Prison where he is serving time after shooting a man in Reno just to watch him die. He hears a train coming and laments not being able to escape the prison and his guilt-ridden conscience. He acknowledges that he deserves his punishment, but he can't help feeling jealous of the people on the train who are free. He wishes he could be on the train instead, moving away from Folsom Prison and leaving his blues behind.
The lyrics are a reflection of the tough reality of life in prison, where time seems to go on forever, and the weight of one's actions constantly looms over them. The train is a symbol of hope for the singer, a glimmer of an escape from the confines of the prison walls. However, his guilt and remorse keep him anchored to the prison, unable to move forward.
The song captures the despair and longing of those who have made mistakes in life and are paying the price; it speaks to the human condition of wanting to run away from one's problems and start fresh. The lyrics are poignant, and Jerry Lee Lewis's vocals bring out the emotions of the song, making it a classic in country music.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear that train a-commin', it's rollin' around the bend
The singer hears the sound of a train approaching, and it's a reminder that he is still stuck in the same situation he's been in for a long time.
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
The singer has been in prison so long that he can't remember the last time he saw the sun.
I'm stuck in Folsom prison and time keeps draggin' on
The singer is stuck in Folsom prison, and every day feels like it lasts forever.
But that train keeps a-rollin' on down to San Antone
The train is a symbol of hope and freedom, but it's not stopping at Folsom prison.
When I was just a baby, my mama told me, son
The artist is reflecting on a time when he was young and innocent, and his mother warned him to stay out of trouble.
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns
His mother cautioned him to stay on the straight and narrow and to avoid guns.
But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die
Despite his mother's advice, the singer did something terrible - he killed a man - and he doesn't seem to fully regret it.
When I hear that whistle blowin', I hang my head and cry
The sound of the train makes the artist feel sad and regretful about what he's done and the situation he's in.
I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
The artist imagines that there are people with more money and freedom than he has, enjoying luxuries like dining on a train.
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
The people on the train seem to be enjoying themselves, and the artist envies their freedom and comforts.
But I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
The singer acknowledges that he is in prison for a reason and that he doesn't have any hope of getting out any time soon.
But those people keep a-movin' and that's what tortures me
The fact that other people are moving forward with their lives, while the artist is stuck in prison, is a source of emotional pain for him.
Well if that freed me from this prison
The singer is imagining a scenario in which he is free from prison and able to move on with his life.
and that railroad train was mine
He imagines himself as the owner of the train, in control of his own destiny and heading somewhere away from Folsom prison.
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
If he had the train, he would keep moving forward and putting distance between himself and his past.
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
The artist wants to be as far away from Folsom prison as possible, and never return to the place that represents his past mistakes.
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
The train whistle is a symbol of the freedom and release that the artist longs for, and he imagines it blowing away his sadness and regrets.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind