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 (nΓ©e 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 ShyβDrager 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 ShyβDrager, 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.
Darlin
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, what are you guys drinking in those tall, purple glasses?
What is that, rot guts?
(Home brew) Tea?
Hey a little bit later on in the show
I'm going to do you a brand new song
That I wrote yesterday called San Quentin
I'd like to ask my wife, June Carter, come back
Come here June
Hey, I wonder, I wonder if we can get Carl Perkins out to help us with this tine
(He probably would, he would probably help us)
June and I have been singing this song, out version of a John Sebastian song
Darling companion
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
And let me be your champion, a hand to hold your pretty hand in.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin', I can depend on you.
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin', I can depend on you.
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
As long as we keep laughin', bear in mind just what could happen.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Thank you very much
The lyrics to Johnny Cash's song "Darlin' Companion" were written by John Sebastian, the founder and lead singer of The Lovin' Spoonful. The song is a love song about a man's deep affection for his partner, whom he refers to as his "Darlin' Companion." He sings about his reliance on her and how she gives him understanding and a hand to hold. The line "Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed. Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need" implies that the singer sees his partner as a spirited and independent individual, but also recognizes the power dynamic in their relationship.
The song has a folk-country sound, with a simple melody and a prominent acoustic guitar. Cash's vocals are heartfelt and sincere, conveying the depth of his feelings for his partner. The song often features June Carter, Cash's wife, who adds a beautiful harmony to the chorus.
Overall, "Darlin' Companion" is a sweet and romantic love song that celebrates the importance of a strong partnership. Johnny Cash's rendition is a beautiful interpretation of John Sebastian's original work that showcases both the singer's incredible talent and his deep love for his wife.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that?
Johnny Cash asks what someone is drinking from tall, purple glasses and wonders if it's homemade tea or something stronger.
Hey a little bit later on in the show
I'm going to do you a brand new song
That I wrote yesterday called San Quentin
Johnny Cash announces that he will perform his new song 'San Quentin' later in the show, which he wrote the day before.
I'd like to ask my wife, June Carter, come back
Come here June
Johnny Cash calls his wife June Carter to join him on stage.
Hey, I wonder, I wonder if we can get Carl Perkins out to help us with this tine
(He probably would, he would probably help us)
June and I have been singing this song, out version of a John Sebastian song
Darling companion
Johnny Cash suggests bringing musician Carl Perkins on stage to help with the performance. He also mentions that he and June Carter have been singing a version of the John Sebastian song 'Darling Companion'.
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
And let me be your champion, a hand to hold your pretty hand in.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin', I can depend on you.
Johnny Cash sings about his love for his 'darlin' companion' and how he will always be there for her, providing understanding and support, and that their love will guide them.
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.
Johnny Cash playfully suggests that his 'saucy mare' companion needs a 'steed' (a horse) and he needs a little control in the relationship.
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
As long as we keep laughin', bear in mind just what could happen.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Johnny Cash reiterates the importance of understanding in their relationship, and that they should always remember the potential risks of life. He promises to stick by his 'darlin' companion', as long as he is able.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
In the chorus, Johnny Cash again promises to always be there for his 'darlin' companion', no matter where life takes them.
Thank you very much
Johnny Cash thanks the audience for their time and attention.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SEBASTIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MST
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'
And let me be your champion, a hand to hold your pretty hand in
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned
Love will always light our landin', I can depend on you
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need
Darling companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned
Love will always light our landin', I can depend on you
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'
As long as we keep laughin', bear in mind just what could happen
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you
Amanda G
Watching these 2 perform makes me smile so much and sometimes even makes me cry as itβs clear how much they loved each other. The world loves you Johnny & June. R.I.P together foreverβ€οΈ
Alice Jester
Johnny and June π π
Danielly Ribeiro
I love that they used to have so much fun singing together π
EGA
ΠΡΠΈΡΡΠ½ΠΎ ΡΠΈΡΠ°ΡΡ ΡΠ°ΠΊΠΈΠ΅ ΡΠΎΠΎΠ±ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΡ)))ΠΎΡΠ΅Π½Ρ ΠΌΠΈΠ»ΠΎ)
Sarif Kusen
I love π when we can singing together
Carolyn Marsh
I love this song
Monika Fritz
O yes, that's the way it is.
Ryan Sanders
Basically
Kenneth Woodhouse
love her voice, they both were excellent together and you can't take nothing away from Johnny Cash.
Ester Reis
Jhonny Cash Γ© maravilhoso