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.
Bird on a Wire
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight in some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
And if I, if I have been unkind
And if I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you
Like a baby stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out to me
But I swear by this song
And by all I have done wrong
I'll make it all up to be
I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch
He called out to me, "Don't ask for so much"
And a young woman leaning in her darkened door
She cried out to me, "Why not ask for more"
Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
The lyrics of “Bird on a Wire” by Johnny Cash are a moving and introspective exploration of the human experience. The song is a reflection on the ways in which we can all feel trapped at times, like birds on a wire or fish on a hook. Despite this, the singer expresses his desire to be free, like a knight in a fairy tale or a baby yet to be born. He acknowledges the pain and struggles he has encountered along the way, tearing down those who attempted to help him. However, despite his imperfections, he pledges to make amends for all he has done wrong and undo the harm he has caused.
As the song progresses, the singer encounters two strangers; a young man leaning on his wooden crutch and a young woman leaning in her darkened door. The young man advises the singer not to ask for too much and the young woman asks why he should not ask for more. Through these encounters, the singer begins to understand that freedom is not simply the absence of constraints, but a matter of perspective. He realizes that there is a balance to be found between striving for more and finding contentment with what he already has.
Overall, “Bird on a Wire” is a powerful song that delves deep into the human experience. The singer’s intimate and intensely personal reflections on his journey through life resonate with listeners on a primal level, reminding us that we are all striving for freedom and meaning in our own ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a bird on a wire
I am vulnerable and exposed, trying to balance and avoid the dangers below
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I am one voice among many, singing out my emotions without care or control
I have tried in my way to be free
I have sought independence in my own unique way, despite the constraints and expectations of society
Like a fish on a hook
I am caught and powerless, struggling against forces beyond my control
Like a knight in some old fashioned book
I have ideals and values that may seem outdated or unrealistic, but I believe in them nonetheless
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
I have kept my love and devotion for someone special, holding onto the hope that they will one day accept it
And if I, if I have been unkind
I acknowledge my faults and apologize for any pain I may have caused
I just hope you will let it go by
I ask for forgiveness and understanding, hoping that my mistakes will not define our relationship
And if I, if I have been untrue
I confess to any deceit or betrayal, knowing that honesty is the only path forward
I hope you know it was never to you
I want to make it clear that my misdeeds were not motivated by malice towards you
Like a baby stillborn
I have experienced great loss and grief, with a sense of hopelessness and finality
Like a beast with his horn
I have lashed out in anger and aggression, causing harm to those around me
I have torn everyone who reached out to me
I have pushed away those who love and care for me, feeling unworthy of their affection
But I swear by this song
I promise to make amends and change for the better, with the power of music as witness
And by all I have done wrong
I acknowledge the extent of my mistakes, and the hurt they have caused others
I'll make it all up to be
I am committed to making reparations and becoming a better person, one step at a time
I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch
I encountered someone who was physically or emotionally broken, requiring support to stand
He called out to me, "Don't ask for so much"
He warned me against excessive ambition or desire, knowing the dangers of disappointment and heartbreak
And a young woman leaning in her darkened door
I observed someone who was withdrawn or isolated, perhaps struggling with depression or anxiety
She cried out to me, "Why not ask for more"
She encouraged me to dream big and pursue my aspirations, despite the risks and obstacles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blainy
Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Like a fish on a hook
Like a knight from an old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons with thee
And if I have been unkind
I hope that you will just let it go by
And if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you
Like a baby stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me
But I swear by this song
By all I have done wrong
I'll make it all up to you
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
He called out to me "Don't ask for so much"
And a young man leaning on his darkened door
He cried out to me "Hey, why not ask for more"
Like a bird on a wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Joshua Bolduc
One of the most innovative and original musicians of all time. I know that this a cover by Leonard Cohen, it still carries that brightened, darkness.
feralmode
I prefer this version, Cohen gets a bit too maudlin for me. Cash strikes a better balance and it’s all the more powerful for that…
Kathryn Toner Designs
Feeling a little broken with the passing of my dad and this is soothing to my soul.
vonkrepke
I pray God to comfort you!
Gilberto Soares
Hope you are feeling better. My thoughts are with you.
Cecil Elliott
Same here. I hope you’re healing too 🙏❤️
Gabriel King
We are here for you
Jonathalon
My condolences
Ocean Hedonist
Kris Kristofferson told about the time the Highwaymen were doing a show in Europe. In the middle of the show, the electricity went out and they were in the dark. The group huddled off stage trying to figure out what to do. To paraphrase, Johnny Cash said, "Give me an acoustic guitar. Then he went back out on stage alone and sang 'Bird on the Wire.' The audience went crazy." Only Johnny Cash could pull that off in a dimly light concert venue; the Man in Black bringing down the house.
Glen
TRULY LEGENDARY!