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.
Big Foot
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the cowboy came and when the soldiers came
The story of the American Indian is in a lot of ways
A story of tragedy, like that day at Wounded Knee, South Dakota
Big Foot was an Indian chief
Of the Minneconjou band
A band of Minneconjou Sioux
Big Foot said to Custer
"Stay away from Crazy Horse"
But Custer crossed into Sioux land
And he never came back across
Then Big Foot led his people
To a place called Wounded Knee
And they found themselves surrounded
By the 7th Cavalry
Big chief Big Foot
Rise up from your bed
Minneconjou babies cry
For their mothers lying dead
Big Foot was down with a fever
When he reached Wounded Knee
And his people all were prisoners
Of the 7th Cavalry
Two hundred women and children
And another hundred men
Raised up a white flag of peace
But peace did not begin
An accidental gunshot
And Big Foot was first to die
And over the noise of the rifles
You could hear the babies cry
Big chief Big Foot
It's good that you can't see
Revenge is being wrought
By Custer's 7th Cavalry
Then smoke hung over the canyon
On that cold December day
All was death and dying
Around where Big Foot lay
Farther on up the canyon
Some had tried to run and hide
But death showed no favorites
Women, men, and children died
One side called it a massacre
The other a victory
But the white flag is still waving
Today at Wounded Knee
Big chief Big Foot
Your Minneconjou band
Is more than remembered here
In South Dakota land
The song "Big Foot" by Johnny Cash sheds light on a saddening event that occurred in the history of the American Indians. When the cowboys and soldiers entered the land, it was already claimed by a people, the American Indians. The song specifically narrates the tale of Chief Big Foot, a Minneconjou Sioux, and his tribe from South Dakota, and their encounter with the 7th Cavalry. Despite warning Custer to stay away from Crazy Horse, Custer went ahead into Sioux land, and he never came back across. Following this, Big Foot led his people to a remote place in South Dakota called Wounded Knee. Unfortunately, they found themselves trapped and surrounded by the 7th Cavalry.
The song goes on to describe how Big Foot's people were made prisoner by the 7th Cavalry, and a terrible massacre followed, which eventually led to the death of Chief Big Foot, his people, women, and children included. The heartbreaking lyrics of the song paint a picture of the plight of the American Indians and the tragedy that ensued as a result of their encounter with the cowboys and soldiers. The song concludes by stating that the Minneconjou band of Chief Big Foot is never forgotten in South Dakota land.
Line by Line Meaning
But the land was already claimed by a people
When the cowboys and soldiers arrived, the land was inhabited by the American Indians, who had been living there for generations.
The story of the American Indian is in a lot of ways
The history of the American Indians is marked by tragedy and hardship, often at the hands of European settlers and the United States government.
A story of tragedy, like that day at Wounded Knee, South Dakota
One particularly tragic event in American Indian history was the massacre at Wounded Knee, where hundreds of Sioux men, women, and children were killed by the US Army.
Big Foot was an Indian chief
Big Foot was the leader of the Minneconjou band of Sioux Indians in South Dakota.
Of the Minneconjou band
Big Foot was the chief of the Minneconjou band of Sioux Indians, one of several tribes living in South Dakota.
A band of Minneconjou Sioux
The Minneconjou Sioux were one of the numerous Native American tribes living in South Dakota and other parts of the United States.
From South Dakota land
The Minneconjou Sioux lived in South Dakota, which was their ancestral territory for generations before the arrival of European settlers.
Big Foot said to Custer
Big Foot warned General Custer to stay away from Crazy Horse, a celebrated Sioux leader and warrior.
"Stay away from Crazy Horse"
Big Foot advised General Custer not to cross into Sioux land, where Crazy Horse and other Sioux leaders could pose a serious threat to US military interests.
But Custer crossed into Sioux land
Despite Big Foot's warning, General Custer decided to cross into Sioux territory as part of the US government's campaign to subdue Native American resistance to their encroachment on Indian lands.
And he never came back across
General Custer and his soldiers lost their lives in an infamous battle with the Sioux at Little Bighorn, which is still remembered as a decisive moment in American Indian resistance to westward expansion by whites.
Then Big Foot led his people
After General Custer's death, Big Foot took charge of his people, the Minneconjou Sioux, and led them on a perilous journey to Wounded Knee.
To a place called Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee was the site of a devastating massacre of Sioux men, women, and children by US Army soldiers on December 29, 1890.
And they found themselves surrounded
When the Sioux arrived at Wounded Knee, they found themselves surrounded by the US Army's 7th Cavalry, who were there to disarm the Indians following the Ghost Dance movement.
By the 7th Cavalry
The 7th Cavalry was a US Army regiment responsible for suppressing Native American resistance and enforcing US government policies towards the tribes in the western United States.
Big chief Big Foot
Big Foot was the chief of the Minneconjou Sioux, who led his people on a journey to Wounded Knee that ended in tragedy.
Rise up from your bed
Big Foot was gravely ill when he arrived at Wounded Knee, but he rallied himself to lead his people in their darkest hour.
Minneconjou babies cry
Many Minneconjou Sioux children were killed in the Wounded Knee massacre, leaving their parents heartbroken and devastated.
For their mothers lying dead
The Sioux mothers were also among the victims of the massacre, leaving many children orphaned and alone.
Big Foot was down with a fever
Big Foot was very ill with a fever when he arrived at Wounded Knee, and his condition only worsened in the difficult and stressful conditions of the encampment.
When he reached Wounded Knee
Big Foot led his people to Wounded Knee, hoping to find safe haven from the violence and persecution being inflicted on the Sioux by the US government.
And his people all were prisoners
When the US Army arrived at Wounded Knee, they effectively imprisoned the Sioux in a small encampment, with little food or water and no real hope of escape or relief.
Of the 7th Cavalry
The 7th Cavalry was the unit of the US Army sent to Wounded Knee to disarm the Sioux and end the Ghost Dance movement, which was seen as a threat to white supremacy and western expansion.
Two hundred women and children
Among the victims of the Wounded Knee massacre were over 200 women and children, who were killed by gunfire and trampled underfoot by the fleeing Sioux.
And another hundred men
The massacre also claimed the lives of over 100 Sioux men, who tried to resist the US Army's assault but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and numbers.
Raised up a white flag of peace
Some Sioux at Wounded Knee tried to signal their desire for peace by carrying a white flag, but they were either ignored or taken as a sign of surrender by the 7th Cavalry.
But peace did not begin
Despite the efforts of some Sioux to seek peace and avoid violence, the US Army was intent on imposing their authority and subduing the Indian resistance at Wounded Knee.
An accidental gunshot
The Wounded Knee massacre began when a shot rang out, prompting the US Army to open fire on the Sioux encampment and initiate the killing spree that claimed over 200 lives.
And Big Foot was first to die
Big Foot was one of the first Minneconjou Sioux killed in the Wounded Knee massacre, which was a devastating blow to his people and his legacy as a proud and courageous Indian leader.
And over the noise of the rifles
During the Wounded Knee massacre, the sound of gunfire and screaming drowned out all other sounds, making it almost impossible for the Sioux to defend themselves or escape the carnage.
You could hear the babies cry
Among the most haunting and poignant aspects of the Wounded Knee tragedy was the sound of babies and young children crying out in pain, fear, and loss as they witnessed the slaughter of their families and friends.
It's good that you can't see
Given the terrible nature of the Wounded Knee massacre and the atrocities committed against the Sioux by the US Army, it is perhaps a blessing that Big Foot could not see them firsthand.
Revenge is being wrought
After the Wounded Knee massacre, many Sioux sought revenge and retribution for the killing of their families and the destruction of their hopes and dreams of autonomy and freedom.
By Custer's 7th Cavalry
The 7th Cavalry, which was responsible for the massacre at Wounded Knee, became synonymous with violence, brutality, and racism in the eyes of many Native Americans and other critics of US government policies towards the tribes.
Then smoke hung over the canyon
In the aftermath of the Wounded Knee massacre, the air was thick with smoke and dust, and the landscape was littered with the bodies of Sioux men, women, and children who had been killed in the attack.
On that cold December day
The Wounded Knee massacre took place on December 29, 1890, during a brutal winter in South Dakota that made life even harder for the Sioux who had been displaced from their lands and lost so many of their loved ones.
All was death and dying
In the aftermath of the Wounded Knee massacre, the Sioux were left to count their losses, mourn their dead, and try to find ways to cope with the devastating impact of the violence on their community.
Around where Big Foot lay
As the chief of the Minneconjou Sioux, Big Foot was a prominent and important figure in the community, and his death was a major blow to morale and hope.
Farther on up the canyon
Not everyone who was killed in the Wounded Knee massacre died at the center of the encampment; some tried to flee to safety in the deeper reaches of the canyon, but many were hunted down and killed anyway.
Some had tried to run and hide
Despite the overwhelming odds against them, some Sioux at Wounded Knee tried to escape the encirclement and avoid being killed in the brutal attack.
But death showed no favorites
Unfortunately, the US Army showed no pity or mercy to the Sioux who had tried to run or hide, and many were killed regardless of age, gender, or any other factor.
Women, men, and children died
In the end, the Wounded Knee massacre claimed the lives of hundreds of Sioux, including women, men, and children of all ages, who were unable to defend themselves against the advanced technology and firepower of the US Army.
One side called it a massacre
Even at the time of the Wounded Knee massacre, there was disagreement and controversy over what had happened, with some calling it a massacre of innocent civilians, while others saw it as a justifiable use of force against hostile hostiles.
The other a victory
While the term "victory" may seem strange in light of the massive loss of life and destruction wrought by the Wounded Knee massacre, it was undoubtedly seen as a triumph for the US government in their goal of breaking Native American resistance and expanding westward.
But the white flag is still waving
Despite the violence and sorrow of Wounded Knee, there have been efforts by Native Americans and their allies to seek reconciliation, understanding, and healing between the Indian tribes and the US government.
Today at Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee is still remembered as a turning point in American Indian history, a tragic yet powerful reminder of the resilience, dignity, and courage of the Sioux and their struggles against oppression and injustice.
Your Minneconjou band
Big Foot's people, the Minneconjou Sioux, were an important part of the Sioux Nation and a symbol of the strength and vitality of the Indian tribes of the western United States.
Is more than remembered here
The legacy of the Minneconjou Sioux and their leader, Big Foot, still resonates with many people today, who see their cause as a key part of American history and a testament to the power of human rights and social justice.
In South Dakota land
South Dakota, with its rich Native American heritage and history of conflict and cooperation between the Indian tribes and the US government, remains a potent symbol of the complex and challenging relationship between these two cultures and societies.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY 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