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.
Abner Brown
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess ours had one
Here's a song about him, I remember him fondly
Well his name was Abner Brown
I knew an old drunk named Abner Brown
And nobody knew when he came to town
But he spread good will to his fellow men
He could drink more brew than an army could
But he had more friends and he did more good
Than a lot of fine fancy people in our town
So they tolerated Abner Brown
And all us kids were on his side
'Cause he told us tales till our eyes grew wide
And he made us feel bout ten feet tall
'Cause he had no kids but he claimed us all
And after school and on weekends
You could find me down at the cotton gin
The truest friend that I ever found was
A good old drunk named Abner Brown
Abner Brown, I wish that I could see you once again
I believe that you'd stack up with all the mighty men
I've met and known in all the low
And higher places that I've been
Thinking of you picks me up when I'm feeling down
I thank the Lord for making Abner Brown
Lord take me back to the cotton land
To Arkansas take me home again
Let me be the boy that I once have been
Let me walk that road to the cotton gin
He's probably dead many years ago
And gone the way that old drunks go
But I'd still like to sit me down
Talk to my old friend, Abner Brown
Abner Brown, I wish
I thank the Lord for making Abner Brown
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song, Abner Brown, pay tribute to a town bum from the singer's childhood in Dyess, Arkansas. The singer of the song, Abner Brown, was an old drunk who was a familiar and beloved figure in the community. Cash reminisces about Abner, who seemed to appear in town without anyone noticing, spreading good will, and making friends with just about everyone. He also had a unique relationship with the children, telling them tall tales and making them feel about ten feet tall, claiming them all as his own, even though he had no kids of his own.
Despite his unorthodox lifestyle, Abner Brown was respected and admired by the people of Dyess for his kind and generous nature. He had more friends and did more good than many of the so-called fancy people in town. The song expresses the nostalgia that Cash feels for the simpler times of his youth and the people who made life worthwhile. He wishes he could see Abner once again, knowing that he would still be the same person who made an indelible mark on his life.
In summary, Abner Brown is a tribute to a beloved figure from Johnny Cash's formative years, reflecting on the importance of kindness and the memories that last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Every town has its town bum
In every town, there is someone who is considered to be the outcast or homeless.
I guess ours had one
Our town was no exception and had its homeless person.
Here's a song about him, I remember him fondly
This song is a tribute to the singer's memories of the homeless person he knew and liked.
Well his name was Abner Brown
The singer introduces the name of the homeless person he knew as Abner Brown.
I knew an old drunk named Abner Brown
The singer knew Abner Brown to be an old alcoholic.
And nobody knew when he came to town
It is unclear as to when Abner Brown arrived in town as he was homeless.
But he spread good will to his fellow men
Despite being homeless, Abner Brown had a positive influence on others and did good things for them.
And they let him sleep in the cotton gin
The people in town allowed Abner Brown to stay in the cotton gin as a place to sleep.
He could drink more brew than an army could
Abner Brown had a high tolerance for alcohol and could drink more than most people.
But he had more friends and he did more good
Despite his drinking habits, Abner Brown had many friends and was well-liked in his community because of the good things he did for others.
Than a lot of fine fancy people in our town
Abner Brown was respected more than the wealthy people in town because of his kindness.
So they tolerated Abner Brown
Although Abner Brown was homeless and an alcoholic, the people in town still accepted him because of his good character and helpfulness.
And all us kids were on his side
The children in town were all supporters of Abner Brown.
'Cause he told us tales till our eyes grew wide
Abner Brown would tell stories and entertain the children in town with his tales.
And he made us feel bout ten feet tall
Abner Brown made the children feel confident and happy when they were around him.
'Cause he had no kids but he claimed us all
Because Abner Brown had no children, he treated all of the children in town as his own.
And after school and on weekends
During their free time, the children would spend time with Abner Brown.
You could find me down at the cotton gin
The singer would often be found at the cotton gin where Abner Brown stayed.
The truest friend that I ever found was
Abner Brown was the best friend that the singer ever had.
A good old drunk named Abner Brown
Despite being homeless and an alcoholic, Abner Brown was a good person and a loyal friend.
Abner Brown, I wish that I could see you once again
The singer wishes that he could see Abner Brown one more time.
I believe that you'd stack up with all the mighty men
The singer believes that Abner Brown was just as great as any other influential person he had ever known.
I've met and known in all the low
Throughout his life, the singer has met and known people from all walks of life.
And higher places that I've been
The singer has met influential people in high positions throughout his life.
Thinking of you picks me up when I'm feeling down
Remembering Abner Brown brings happiness to the singer when he is feeling sad or depressed.
I thank the Lord for making Abner Brown
The singer is grateful to have known Abner Brown and credits God for bringing him into his life.
Lord take me back to the cotton land
The singer asks the Lord to take him back to the place where he spent time with Abner Brown, which was the cotton gin.
To Arkansas take me home again
The singer wants to return to Arkansas, where his memories of Abner Brown were formed.
Let me be the boy that I once have been
The singer longs to go back to the time when he was a child spending time with Abner Brown.
Let me walk that road to the cotton gin
The singer wants to go back to the cotton gin where he spent time with Abner Brown.
He's probably dead many years ago
The singer acknowledges that Abner Brown has likely passed away a long time ago.
And gone the way that old drunks go
The singer knows that Abner Brown likely died like many old alcoholics do.
But I'd still like to sit me down
Despite knowing that Abner Brown is likely dead, the singer still wishes he could have one last conversation with him.
Talk to my old friend, Abner Brown
The singer wants to talk to Abner Brown, who he considers to be an old friend.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J R 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