Can't help wondering where I am bound
Johnny Cash Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound
Whistles calling me away
Leaving at the break of day and
I don't know where I'm bound

Can't stand locks, bars or doors
Mean cops insanity and wars
Gotta find a place of peace
Till then much travellin' on seas
But I don't know where I'm bound

There's gotta be a place for me
Under some green growing tree
Clear cool water running by
An unfettered view of the sky
But I don't know where I'm bound

When I die don't bury me
Cause then I must be free
Cremate my body with a grin
Throw my ashes to the wind
Cause I don't know where I'm bound

I don't know where I'm bound
I don't know where I'm bound
Whistles calling me away
Leaving at the break of day and
I don't know where I'm bound

Got myself a little gall
She has been a damn right pall
That ol' highway's calling me




And free I gotta be but
I don't know where I'm bound

Overall Meaning

In "Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound," Johnny Cash expresses his desire to escape from the constraints of society and live a life of freedom. Throughout the song, Cash expresses his disdain for authority figures, such as the police and the military, and his desire to find a peaceful place to call home. He speaks of his longing for natural surroundings, such as green trees, clear water, and the open sky. Despite his search for a place of peace, he acknowledges that he doesn't know where he's bound or where his journey will take him. The lyrics suggest a sense of restlessness and uncertainty, as if he is constantly searching for something.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know where I'm bound
The singer is unsure of where their life is taking them.


I don't know where I'm bound
The singer repeats their uncertainty about their future.


Whistles calling me away
The singer feels a pull to leave their current situation behind.


Leaving at the break of day and
The singer intends to leave as soon as possible.


I don't know where I'm bound
Again, the singer is unsure of where they are going.


Can't stand locks, bars or doors
The singer dislikes confinement and oppression.


Mean cops insanity and wars
The singer is against violence and aggression.


Gotta find a place of peace
The singer seeks a tranquil environment.


Till then much travellin' on seas
Until they find this place, the singer will continue to explore different lands and waters.


But I don't know where I'm bound
Despite this insatiable desire to seek peace, the singer is still uncertain about their destination.


There's gotta be a place for me
The singer firmly believes that there is somewhere they belong in this world.


Under some green growing tree
They picture themselves in a natural, peaceful setting.


Clear cool water running by
Water is also an important element in this envisioned scene, representing purity and serenity.


An unfettered view of the sky
The singer wants a clear, unobstructed view of the open sky, representing freedom and optimism.


But I don't know where I'm bound
Once again, the singer stresses that they are still unsure of where to find this ideal place.


When I die don't bury me
The singer has specific wishes for their final resting place.


Cause then I must be free
The singer associates being buried with a sense of confinement, and wants to avoid that feeling in death as well.


Cremate my body with a grin
The singer wants to go out with a positive attitude, even if their life has been filled with uncertainty.


Throw my ashes to the wind
They want their remains to be as free as they feel their spirit is.


Cause I don't know where I'm bound
The singer is still unsure of their destination, even in death.


Got myself a little gall
The singer has found someone to travel with them, but they are not a major focus in their life.


She has been a damn right pall
Although they don't give much detail, the singer seems to appreciate their companion's presence.


That ol' highway's calling me
The singer once again feels a pull to hit the open road.


And free I gotta be but
They prioritize their freedom above all else, but are still not sure where to find it.


I don't know where I'm bound
The repeated chorus emphasizes the overarching theme of uncertainty and longing for a peaceful, free existence.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TOM PAXTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

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

More Versions