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.
Cold Lonesome Morning
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna lay there and I'm gonna die
You will soon give me pain enough to fill me
'Cause I'm gone past doin' any good to cry
And the warm sunshine is like a stranger
There's a cruel violation with the dawn
Lord, my pain can't stand illumination
One of these cold lonesome mornings, dark and early
Before a wild bird sings I'm gonna fly
While it's still dark and I'm still reachin' for you
I'll wake up and I can't cry
But I know my heart can't stand another tremor
Now it's holding together I don't know
But just before the dawning's first glimmer
One of these cold lonesome mornings I'm gonna go
Yes, one of these cold lonesome mornings you're gonna kill me [unverified]
Johnny Cash's "Cold Lonesome Morning" is a song that delves into the theme of heartbreak and impending death. The song is a dark and melancholic tale of a person who is resigned to his fate and knows that he is going to die at the hands of his loved one. The opening lines, "One of these cold lonesome mornings, you're gonna kill me / I'm gonna lay there and I'm gonna die," set the tone for the rest of the song.
Throughout the song, Cash's lyrics paint a picture of a man who is tired of the pain and suffering that his relationship has brought him. He knows that he is beyond the point of no return when it comes to his feelings for his loved one, and he realizes that his death is inevitable. The lines, "And the warm sunshine is like a stranger / There's a cruel violation with the dawn," show the singer's disillusionment with life and his inability to find joy in even the most basic things anymore.
Cash's rough voice gives the song a raw, emotional edge that adds depth to the lyrics. The use of guitar and piano creates a bluesy and somber atmosphere that suits the song's theme. The song is a haunting melody that speaks to anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak and knows that the pain of losing someone they love can be unbearable.
Line by Line Meaning
One of these cold lonesome mornings, you're gonna kill me
At some point in the future, during a morning where I feel very alone, you will end my life.
I'm gonna lay there and I'm gonna die
I will remain on the ground after you fatally wound me, and death will come.
You will soon give me pain enough to fill me
Your actions toward me will cause immense suffering that cannot be alleviated.
'Cause I'm gone past doin' any good to cry
I have reached a point where crying or expressing emotions will not help me move forward or cope with my pain.
And the warm sunshine is like a stranger
The sunlight, which often represents comfort or positivity, will not be able to bring me solace during this time.
There's a cruel violation with the dawn
The arrival of morning brings with it the harsh reality of my situation and the pain that comes with it.
Lord, my pain can't stand illumination
Being in the light or exposed to the truth of my situation will only bring me more suffering.
And one of these cold lonesome mornings I'll be gone
At some point during a lonely and dark morning, I will pass away and no longer be here.
One of these cold lonesome mornings, dark and early
In the future, during a morning that is both cold and lonely, but while it is still dark outside,
Before a wild bird sings I'm gonna fly
I will leave this world before any birds begin to sing their songs for a new day.
While it's still dark and I'm still reachin' for you
During this time, it will be difficult to see and I will still be trying to reach for you, but I will not be able to reach you.
I'll wake up and I can't cry
After waking up from a peaceful death, I will not be physically or emotionally able to cry.
But I know my heart can't stand another tremor
My heart has already been through so much pain and shock that it cannot withstand anymore.
Now it's holding together I don't know
Although my heart is still beating, I do not know how much longer it can keep going, as it feels like it has been through too much.
But just before the dawning's first glimmer
Right before the sun starts to rise and the morning begins,
One of these cold lonesome mornings I'm gonna go
I will pass away during one of these lonely and dark mornings.
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