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.
Belshaza
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Around the city he built a wall and declared that Babylon would never fall
He had concubines and wives he called his Babylon Paradise
On his throne he drank and ate but for Belshazah it was gettin' late
For he was weighed in the balance and found wanting
His kingdom was divided couldn't stand
He was weighed in the balance and found
Wanting his houses were built upon the sand
Well the people feasted and drank their wine and praised the false gods of his time
All holy things they scorned and mocked but suddenly all their mocking stopped
For on the wall there appeared a hand nothing else there was no man
In blood the hand began to write and Belshazah couldn't hide his fright
For he was weighed in the balance and found
Wanting his houses were built upon the sand
[ guitar ]
Well no one around could understand what was written by the mystic hand
Belshazah tried but couldn't find a man who could give him peace of mind
But Daniel the prophet a man of God he saw the writing on the wall in blood
Belshazah asked him what it said and Daniel turned to the wall and read
My friend you're weighed in the balance and found wanting
Your kingdom is divided it can't stand
You're weighed in the balance and found
Wanting your houses are built upon the sand
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "Belshaza" tell the story of a powerful leader who ruled Babylon and indulged himself in the pleasures of life, while ignoring the warnings from holy things. This leader, Belshaza, was convinced that his kingdom would never fall and he built a wall around the city to make sure of it. However, despite his power and wealth, the song tells us that he was eventually weighed in the balance and found wanting. This judgement is portrayed as being literal, with a hand appearing on the wall to write out his fate in blood.
The theme of judgement and the downfall of the proud is a common one in Christian theology, and this song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale against arrogance and decadence. Belshaza's downfall is linked to his lack of spiritual grounding, as he worshipped false gods and overlooked the value of holy things. The lyrics suggest that his houses were built on sand, meaning that his foundation was unstable and temporary.
Overall, "Belshaza" is a somber song that highlights the dangers of hubris and the importance of finding true spiritual depth. The use of imagery and symbolism, particularly in the depiction of the writing on the wall, adds to the sense of foreboding and prophetic warning that runs throughout the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the bible tells us about a man who ruled Babylon and all its land
The song is based on a story from the Bible about a man named Belshazah who ruled Babylon.
Around the city he built a wall and declared that Babylon would never fall
Belshazah built a wall around Babylon and claimed that it was indestructible.
He had concubines and wives he called his Babylon Paradise
Belshazah had many wives and called Babylon his paradise.
On his throne he drank and ate but for Belshazah it was gettin' late
Despite his lavish lifestyle, Belshazah's time was running out.
For he was weighed in the balance and found wanting
Belshazah was judged and found to be lacking in some way.
His kingdom was divided couldn't stand
As a result of Belshazah's shortcomings, his kingdom was divided and weak.
Well the people feasted and drank their wine and praised the false gods of his time
Belshazah's people indulged in excessive feasting and drinking, and worshipped false gods.
All holy things they scorned and mocked but suddenly all their mocking stopped
Belshazah's people mocked holy things, but stopped when they saw a mysterious hand writing on the wall.
For on the wall there appeared a hand nothing else there was no man
A hand appeared and wrote on the wall, but there was no visible person.
In blood the hand began to write and Belshazah couldn't hide his fright
The hand wrote on the wall in blood, which scared Belshazah.
But Daniel the prophet a man of God he saw the writing on the wall in blood
Daniel, a prophet of God, was able to read the writing on the wall.
Belshazah asked him what it said and Daniel turned to the wall and read
Belshazah asked Daniel to interpret the writing on the wall, which he did.
My friend you're weighed in the balance and found wanting
The writing on the wall was a judgment against Belshazah, who was found to be lacking.
Your kingdom is divided it can't stand
Belshazah's kingdom was unstable and in danger of collapsing.
You're weighed in the balance and found wanting your houses are built upon the sand
Belshazah was judged to be lacking, and his life and legacy were built on a weak foundation.
Contributed by Violet V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@IamSHELLBELLA
i remember this whole album from when i was a child. i hunted for YEARS to find it. i finally found a copy a few years ago. i love all the songs it included. johnny cash was one of the best artists of our lifetime.
@francislajeunesse8313
Was that the Blue rain album? I think it's version didn't have the piano.
@sunrecords56
Finally available in its earliest form Live on Memphis radio may 1955 on Johnny Cash Bootleg 2 Fantastic work
@MichailZacho
Great Song! One can already see how sophisticated Johnny Cash already was. The rotations, the delivery was already Johnny's mix of the complex covered by a seeming simplicity.
@beestonpoet
this is funky as hell ... or funky as heaven . as the case may be ... this an folsom prison were his 1st two compositions .. great start
@alexmono4145
Immortal
@LiliWantsChocolate
i dont know why i like this but oh well
@sunrecords56
sun 392 without the mention tennessee 3 has no piano track, this is much better
@sunrecords56
sun 392 without the mention tennessee 3 has no piano track, this much better