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.
A Song To Mama
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you mean a lot to me
She always got me out of bed early Sunday morn'
And took me out to church where I could learn about the Lord
Mama tried to tell me how my life was gonna be
Dear Mama, now that we're older
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you always taught me right from wrong when I was growin' up
And it's a pity that most people like me
Have to try everything for themselves
I realize now that you always knew just what you were talkin' about
And mama for all that hard work you did
And for the sacrifices you made for us
I just wanna say, thanks a lot
Dear Mama, now that we'reolder
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, Mama you're a soldier
Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you mean a lot to me
The lyrics to Johnny Cash's "A Song to Mama" express appreciation and gratitude towards a mother figure. The song acknowledges the sacrifices and hardships that mothers often endure and appreciate the lessons that they teach. The song suggests that as children get older, they start to realize the burdens and efforts put in by their mothers. The verse "dear Mama, now that we're older, we can see the load on your tired old shoulders" conveys this message.
The song also touches upon the relationship between a mother and child. The opening line, "Dear, dear Mama" is an affectionate tone that is carried throughout the song. The lyrics also describe how the mother taught the child right from wrong, but the child struggled to understand it when they were young. The song concludes with the child expressing their gratitude by simply saying "thanks a lot."
In summary, the lyrics of "A Song to Mama" express love, appreciation, and gratitude towards a mother who has played an important role in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear, dear Mama, now that we're older
As we have grown up, we have come to understand and appreciate you more, dear Mama.
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
We have noticed the burden on your tired shoulders, Mama.
Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you have shown incredible strength and resilience throughout all the challenges you faced.
Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you hold a special place in my heart and I value you greatly.
She always got me out of bed early Sunday morn'
Mama always woke me up early on Sundays to take me to church and learn about the Lord.
And took me out to church where I could learn about the Lord
Mama made sure I had the opportunity to attend church and develop a relationship with the Lord.
Mama tried to tell me how my life was gonna be
Mama attempted to guide me on the path I should take in my life.
But I was young and wild, and it was hard for me to see
However, being young and rebellious, I failed to understand Mama's advice at the time.
Mama, you always taught me right from wrong when I was growin' up
As I grew up, Mama constantly instilled in me a strong sense of morality and helped me differentiate between right and wrong.
And it's a pity that most people like me
It's unfortunate that many people, like myself, have to learn things the hard way.
Have to try everything for themselves
They have to experience things firsthand in order to fully understand and appreciate the lesson.
I realize now that you always knew just what you were talkin' about
I have come to understand and appreciate that Mama always knew what she was talking about, even when I didn't see it at the time.
And mama for all that hard work you did
Mama, for all the hard work and effort you put in to raising us and providing for us,
And for the sacrifices you made for us
And for all the sacrifices you made for us and our family,
I just wanna say, thanks a lot
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and say thank you, Mama.
Dear Mama, now that we're older
As we have grown older,
Mama you're a trooper, Mama you're a soldier
Mama, you have shown incredible strength and resilience throughout all the challenges you faced.
Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you hold a special place in my heart and I value you greatly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Glenn Jones, Helen Jones, June Carter Cash
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