15
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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O Death, where is thy sting?
O Grave, where is thy victory?
O Life, you are a shining path
And hope springs eternal, just over the rise
When I see my redeemer beckoning me

Oh row my ship over the waves of your sea
Let me find a safe port now and then
Don't let the dark one in your sanctuary
Until it's time to pack it in
O, row, row my ship
With the fire of your breath
And don't lay a broadside on
Your ship as yet blow ye warm winds
When it's chilly and wet
And don't come to soon yet
For collecting my debt

O Death, where is thy sting?
O Grave, where is thy victory?
O Life, you are a shining path
And hope springs eternal, just over the rise
When I see my redeemer beckoning me

Oh let me sail on with my ship to the East
And keep my eye on the North Star
When the journey is no good
For man or for beast
I'll be safe wherever you are

Just let me sail into your harbor of lights
And there and forever to cast out my line




Give me my task and let me do it right
And do it with all of my might

Overall Meaning

In "1 Corinthians 15," Johnny Cash reflects on the themes of death and resurrection from a Christian perspective. The opening lines quote directly from the biblical passage: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Cash then introduces the idea of life as a "shining path" and hope that "springs eternal" over the horizon, where the redeemer beckons him.


The song is written as a sailor's hymn, with references to sailing and finding safe ports. Cash asks to row his ship over the waves of life's sea and not to let the dark one (death and despair) into his sanctuary until it's time to "pack it in" and to collect his debt. He implores life to let him sail into its harbor of lights and cast out his night. Cash urges life to give him a task and let him do it right, with all of his might.


Overall, the song’s message is one of hope and resilience in the face of mortality. Despite the inevitability of death and the limitations of the journey, Cash finds that hope and redemption await on the horizon, and he looks forward to the day when he is called to join his redeemer.


Line by Line Meaning

O Death, where is thy sting?
Where is the power and dominance of death?


O Grave, where is thy victory?
Where is the triumph and success of the grave?


O Life, you are a shining path
Life is a brilliant journey, a path to follow


And hope springs eternal, just over the rise
There is always hope, just beyond our immediate view


When I see my redeemer beckoning me
When I witness the call of the one who saves me


Oh row my ship over the waves of your sea
Guide me through life's ups and downs


Let me find a safe port now and then
Allow me to find safety and respite amidst life's journey


Don't let the dark one in your sanctuary
Protect me from the evils and darkness of the world


Until it's time to pack it in
Until the end of my life


O, row, row my ship
Please guide and help me along my journey


With the fire of your breath
With passion and vigor


And don't lay a broadside on your ship as yet
Don't let unexpected challenges destroy me


Blow ye warm winds
Bring me comfort and ease


When it's chilly and wet
During hard and difficult moments


And don't come to soon yet
Don't let my journey end too early


For collecting my debt
For taking my life


Oh let me sail on
Allow me to continue my journey


With my ship to the East
Towards a new beginning


And keep my eye on the North Star
Stay focused on what truly matters


When the journey is no good for man or for beast
When the path is difficult for everyone


I'll be safe wherever you are
I trust and have faith in you


Just let me sail into your harbor of lights
Bring me into a place of peace and happiness


And there and forever to cast out my night
Free me from my darkness and pain


Give me my task
Assign me a purpose


And let me do it right
Allow me to fulfill it with success


And do it with all of my might
And give my all in doing so




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Anonymous


on Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger - The New Appalachians - Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone

There will be no sickness, toil or danger
In that grand land to which I roam

Well I'm going home to see my mother
I'm going home to a morning rose
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
And beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed there vigils keep

Well I'm going home to see my brothers
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I'm only goin' over home

Musical Interlude

I'm going home to see my Father
I'm going home no more to roam
I'm only goin' over Jordan
I’m only goin’ where no one roams

I want to wear that crown of glory
When I get to that good land
I want to shout out salvation story
In concert with that blood washed band.
I'm going there to see my saviour
I’ll see his face no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I'm only goin' over home

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