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.
Delia's Gone
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Delia all my life
If I hadn't shot poor Delia
I'd have had her for my wife
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
I went up to Memphis
Found her in her parlor
And I tied her to her chair
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
She was low down and trifling
And she was cold and mean
Kind of evil make me want to
Grab my sub machine
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
First time I shot her
I shot her in the side
Hard to watch her suffer
But with the second shot she died
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
But jailer, oh, jailer
Jailer, I can't sleep
'Cause all around my bedside
I hear the patter of Delia's feet
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
So if your woman's devilish
You can let her run
Or you can bring her down and do her
Like Delia got done
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia's gone
The song "Delia's Gone" by Johnny Cash is a tragic tale of a man who shoots his lover, Delia, and then regrets his actions. The song is a haunting and powerful depiction of a toxic relationship that ends in tragedy. The lyrics show the singer's deep regret for his actions and his inability to move on from his guilt.
The song begins with the singer regretting his actions and wishing he had not shot Delia. He reveals that if he had not killed her, he would have married her. This reveals the complexity of their relationship and the deep emotions that the singer had for Delia. The repetition of the line "Delia's gone, one more round, Delia's gone" emphasizes the finality of his actions and the permanent loss that he feels.
The second verse reveals that the singer went to Memphis to find Delia and tied her to a chair before shooting her. This indicates that he was premeditating his actions and knew that he was doing something wrong. The line "Kind of evil make me want to grab my sub machine" indicates the singer's visceral reaction to Delia's perceived wrongdoing but also highlights the danger of toxic emotions and actions.
The final verse shows the singer's guilt and remorse for his actions. He cannot sleep because he hears Delia's footsteps around his bed, reminding him of what he has done. The song ends on a cautionary note, warning men to either "let their devilish women run" or face the same fate as Delia.
Interesting facts about "Delia's Gone":
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Delia, oh, Delia
The singer is addressing Delia.
Delia all my life
Delia has been a part of the singer's life for a long time.
If I hadn't shot poor Delia
The singer admits to shooting Delia as he couldn't have her as his wife.
I'd have had her for my wife
The singer wished to marry Delia but couldn't make it happen.
Delia's gone, one more round
Delia is no longer there, and the singer is grieving.
Delia's gone
The repetition of the previous line indicates the singer's anguish and pain over Delia's death.
I went up to Memphis
The singer traveled to Memphis.
And I met Delia there
The singer met Delia in Memphis.
Found her in her parlor
The singer located Delia in her parlor.
And I tied her to her chair
The singer tied Delia to her chair, perhaps to immobilize her.
She was low down and trifling
The singer describes Delia as being dishonest and untrustworthy.
And she was cold and mean
The singer goes on to describe Delia's unpleasant character.
Kind of evil make me want to
Delia's actions evoke negative feelings in the singer.
Grab my sub machine
The singer becomes violent and reaches for his submachine gun because of Delia.
First time I shot her
The singer shot Delia for the first time.
I shot her in the side
The singer describes where he shot Delia.
Hard to watch her suffer
The singer admits it was hard to watch Delia suffer.
But with the second shot she died
The second shot killed Delia.
Jailer, oh, jailer
The singer is asking for the jailer's attention.
Jailer, I can't sleep
The singer has trouble sleeping.
'Cause all around my bedside
The singer describes what he hears while trying to sleep.
I hear the patter of Delia's feet
The singer imagines that he can hear Delia's footsteps.
So if your woman's devilish
The singer's final lines are a warning to others.
You can let her run
One option is to avoid conflict by letting her go.
Or you can bring her down and do her
The other option is to take action to stop her, as the singer did with Delia.
Like Delia got done
The singer suggests that the same thing could happen to someone else's problematic partner.
Delia's gone, one more round
The song ends with a repetition of the refrain, emphasizing the singer's sorrow and regret over his actions.
Delia's gone
The final line reinforces the song's theme of mourning and loss.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LK 83
Lyrics :
Delia, oh, Delia Delia all my life
If I hadn't have shot poor
Delia I'd have had her for my wife
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
I went up to Memphis
And I met Delia there Found her in her parlor
And I tied to her chair
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
She was low down and trifling
And she was cold and mean
Kind of evil make me want to Grab my sub machine
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
First time I shot her I shot her in the side
Hard to watch her suffer
But with the second shot she died
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
But jailer, oh, jailer Jailer,
I can't sleep 'Cause all around my bedside
I hear the patter of Delia's feet
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
So if you woman's devilish
You can let her run
Or you can bring her down and do her
Like Delia got done
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
brian5o
This is one of the finest love songs I’ve ever heard.
Rachel aka Raydon1974
Lmao
LK 83
Lyrics :
Delia, oh, Delia Delia all my life
If I hadn't have shot poor
Delia I'd have had her for my wife
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
I went up to Memphis
And I met Delia there Found her in her parlor
And I tied to her chair
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
She was low down and trifling
And she was cold and mean
Kind of evil make me want to Grab my sub machine
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
First time I shot her I shot her in the side
Hard to watch her suffer
But with the second shot she died
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
But jailer, oh, jailer Jailer,
I can't sleep 'Cause all around my bedside
I hear the patter of Delia's feet
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
So if you woman's devilish
You can let her run
Or you can bring her down and do her
Like Delia got done
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
🕊AMOR DIVINO.🦋
🙏🏼🙋🏻♀️🎸THANKS.!
My name is Delia.⭐️
OddOops
One year I told my grandma to watch me on a big fair ride & she was super nervous and this song came on. My name is Delia, & this song did NOT help her anxiety about seeing me on the big fair ride 😂
Delia Recinos
I loved his music always but when one of his songs has my name in it... well what can I say <3
Delia Recinos
+spunyballs that's right!
Akranyum
You can say nothing . . . you can buy a plain ticket and u better run from that sub machine.
itwontcomeout5678
Don’t worry Delia, I won’t grab my Submachine
Donald Matson
Really like Johnny's version of it, clean as can be, but Blind Blake also has a great one.