Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band characterized by train-sound guitar rhythms, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark, all-black stage wardrobe, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black." He traditionally began his concerts by simply introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," followed by his signature song "Folsom Prison Blues".
Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His other signature songs include "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire", "Get Rhythm", and "Man in Black". He also recorded humorous numbers like "One Piece at a Time" and "A Boy Named Sue"; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called "Jackson" (followed by many further duets after their wedding); and railroad songs including "Hey, Porter", "Orange Blossom Special", and "Rock Island Line". During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden.
Johnny Cash was born on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Ray Cash and Carrie Cloveree (née Rivers). He was the fourth of seven children, who were in birth order: Roy, Margaret Louise, Jack, J. R., Reba, Joanne, and Tommy (who also became a successful country artist). He was primarily of English and Scottish descent. As an adult he traced his surname to 11th-century Fife, after meeting with the then-laird of Falkland, Major Michael Crichton-Stuart. Cash Loch and other locations in Fife bear the name of his family.
At birth, Cash was named J. R. Cash. When Cash enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was not permitted to use initials as a first name, so he changed his name to John R. Cash. In 1955, when signing with Sun Records, he started going by Johnny Cash.
In March 1935, when Cash was three years old, the family settled in Dyess, Arkansas, a New Deal colony established to give poor families a chance to work land that they had a chance to own as a result. Cash started working in cotton fields at the age of five, singing along with his family while working. The Cash farm experienced a flood during the family's time in Dyess, which led Cash later to write the song "Five Feet High and Rising". His family's economic and personal struggles during the Great Depression inspired many of his songs, especially those about other people facing similar difficulties. Consequently, Cash had sympathy for the poor and working class throughout his life.
Cash was very close to his older brother, Jack. On Saturday May 12, 1944, Jack was pulled into an unguarded table saw at his high school while cutting oak into fence posts as his job and was almost cut in two. He lingered until the following Saturday, when he died. Cash often spoke of the horrible guilt he felt over this incident; according to Cash: The Autobiography, his father was away that morning, but Johnny, his mother, and even Jack himself, all had premonitions or a sense of foreboding about that day. His mother urged Jack to skip work and go fishing with his brother, but Jack insisted on working since the family needed the money at the time. On his deathbed, Jack said he had visions of Heaven and angels. Decades later, Cash spoke of looking forward to meeting his brother in Heaven.
Cash's early memories were dominated by gospel music and radio. Taught guitar by his mother and a childhood friend, Cash began playing and writing songs at the age of 12. When young, Cash had a high-tenor voice, before becoming a bass-baritone after his voice changed.
In high school, he sang on a local radio station. Decades later, he released an album of traditional gospel songs, called My Mother's Hymn Book. He was also significantly influenced by traditional Irish music, which he heard performed weekly by Dennis Day on the Jack Benny radio program.
In 1997, Cash was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease Shy–Drager syndrome, a form of multiple system atrophy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, the disease was originally misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, and Cash even announced to his audience that he had Parkinson's after nearly collapsing on stage in Flint, Michigan, on October 25, 1997. Soon afterwards, his diagnosis was changed to Shy–Drager, and Cash was told he had about 18 months to live. The diagnosis was later again altered to autonomic neuropathy associated with diabetes. The illness forced Cash to curtail his touring. He was hospitalized in 1998 with severe pneumonia, which damaged his lungs.
During the last stage of his career, Cash released the albums American III: Solitary Man (2000) and American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002). American IV included cover songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails commented that he was initially skeptical about Cash's plan to cover "Hurt", but was later impressed and moved by the rendition. The video for "Hurt" received critical and popular acclaim, including a Grammy Award.
June Carter Cash died on May 15, 2003, at the age of 73. June had told Cash to keep working, so he continued to record, completing 60 more songs in the last four months of his life, and even performed a few surprise shows at the Carter Family Fold outside Bristol, Virginia. At the July 5, 2003, concert (his last public performance), before singing "Ring of Fire", Cash read a statement about his late wife that he had written shortly before taking the stage:
"The spirit of June Carter overshadows me tonight with the love she had for me and the love I have for her. We connect somewhere between here and Heaven. She came down for a short visit, I guess, from Heaven to visit with me tonight to give me courage and inspiration like she always has. She's never been one for me except courage and inspiration. I thank God for June Carter. I love her with all my heart. "
Cash continued to record until shortly before his death. His final recordings were made on August 21, 2003, and consisted of "Like the 309", which appeared on American V: A Hundred Highways in 2006, and the final song he completed, "Engine 143", which was recorded for his son John Carter Cash for a planned Carter Family tribute album.
1 Thessalonians 1
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I'm so lonesome I could cry
I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
Did you ever hear a Robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry
The song "One" by Johnny Cash is a powerful love song that speaks to the shared experiences of love and hurt in a relationship. The opening verse raises the question of whether things are improving or remaining the same, and whether having someone to blame makes it easier to deal with. The chorus emphasizes the importance of love and how it is something to be shared, but also acknowledges that it is something that can be lost if not cared for. The second verse deals with feelings of disappointment and the fear of being abandoned by a loved one.
The bridge asks the listener if they have come seeking forgiveness or to play savior to those dealing with their own personal struggles. The final verse repeats the idea that love is a powerful force, but also acknowledges the hurt that can come with it. The ending emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and shared experience in navigating the ups and downs of life.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and introspective meditation on the complexities of love and relationships. It emphasizes the importance of caring for one another even in difficult times, and the power of shared experience in creating a sense of unity and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it getting better
Are things improving?
Or do you feel the same
Or are things stagnant?
Will it make it easier on you now
Will having someone else to blame ease your burden?
If you've got someone to blame
If you're able to assign fault?
You said one love
You previously claimed love is singular
One life
One existence
When it's one need
When we all have the same fundamental human desires
In the night
During times of darkness or struggle
One love we get to share it
We have the privilege of experiencing love with others
It leaves you baby if you don't care for it
Love will vanish if it's not nurtured and tended to
Did I disappoint you
Have I let you down?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
Or have I caused you harm or discomfort?
You act like you never had love
You seem like you've never experienced love
And you want me to go without
And you'd rather I suffer as you have
Well it's too late
It's too far gone
Tonight
This very moment
To drag the past out
To resurrect past hurts or issues
Into the light
And bring them into the present
We're one but we're not the same
We may be united, but we are still individuals
We get to carry each other
We have the duty and privilege of supporting each other
Carry each other
Lift one another up
One
Together
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Did you come here seeking forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Did you come here to create change or resurrection?
Have you come here to play Jesus
Did you come here to act as a savior?
To the lepers in your head?
To those suffering from mental illness or inner turmoil?
Did I ask too much?
Did I make unreasonable demands of you?
More than a lot?
Did I ask for more than what's reasonable?
You gave me nothing now
You failed to provide me with what I needed
It's all I've got
And now that's all I have
Well we hurt each other and we're doing it again
We have a history of causing each other pain and it's happening once more
You said love is a temple
You stated that love is sacred
Love the higher law
And should be held above all else
You ask me to enter
You requested my presence
But then you make me crawl
But then you demean or belittle me
I can't be holding on
I can't continue to grasp onto
To what you've got
What you're offering
When all you've got is hurt
When your offerings only cause me pain
One love
The singular focus of affection and connection
One blood
We all come from the same shared origin
One life
We all live and die
You've got to do what you should
We all have a duty and responsibility
One life with each other
We must share our time on Earth
Sister
Regardless of gender or relation, we're all family
Brothers
Companions and allies that transcend blood ties
One life but we're not the same
We may be similar, but we are not identical
We get to carry each other
We are tasked with being there for one another
Carry each other
Lifting each other up and providing support during hardships
One
Together and united
One
Undivided
One
Unified
One
Complete
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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