Down In The Valley
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

If you don't love me, love whom you please
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease
Give my heart ease, love, give my heart ease
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease

Write me a letter, send it by mail
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail
Birmingham jail, love, Birmingham jail
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail

Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow




Hear the train blow, love, hear the train blow
Hang your head over, hear the tain blow

Overall Meaning

The song Down in the Valley is a traditional American folk song that has been covered by numerous artists, including Johnny Cash. The song speaks of love and heartbreak, set against the backdrop of a low valley where the wind and train can be heard. It begins with the invitation to hang one's head over in the valley and listen to the wind blow, as if to signify the call of sadness and despair. The second verse expresses the idea that if the person does not love the singer, one should love whom they please, indicating the acceptance of the circumstances and the other person's emotions. The chorus repeats the invitation to hang one's head over and listen to the wind blow as a recurring theme.


The third verse offers a solution for the singer's heartache - to have the other person throw their arms around the singer to give their heart ease. It portrays the idea of surrendering to the person's love and offering one's trust and affection. The last verse suggests that if the person cannot be present physically, the singer would appreciate a letter and suggests it be sent to the care of the Birmingham jail. This perhaps hints at the singer's own vulnerability and confinement within the valley, and the jail mirrors that sense of imprisonment.


Overall, the lyrics offer a poignant reflection on love, its vicissitudes, and the emotions that come with it. The valley and its surroundings offer a fitting backdrop to the emotional landscape of the song, and the musical arrangement further accentuates the melancholic mood of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Down in the valley, valley so low
In the depths of despair and sadness, where everything seems hopeless and dark.


Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Feel the overwhelming loneliness and emptiness that comes with heartbreak.


Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Even nature seems to mourn the loss of love, with the wind howling in sympathy.


Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
The sorrow and pain of lost love is all-encompassing, with the wind amplifying the feelings of sadness.


If you don't love me, love whom you please
Even though I may be heartbroken, I encourage you to follow your heart and pursue the love that you desire.


Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease
Though our love may be over, I long for the comfort of your embrace and affection to bring me peace.


Give my heart ease, love, give my heart ease
My heart has been shattered, and only the love and care of another can help soothe the pain.


Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease
In this moment of vulnerability and heartache, all I crave is the comfort of human embrace.


Write me a letter, send it by mail
If you cannot be with me in person, I long for the written words of love and comfort from you.


Send it in care of the Birmingham jail
Even if I am imprisoned and cannot be with you, I still wish to receive your love and affection through written correspondence.


Birmingham jail, love, Birmingham jail
My physical confinement cannot contain my love and longing for you, as I continue to hope for your presence and affection.


Down in the valley, valley so low
My heart is in the depths of sadness and hopelessness, with despair consuming my every thought.


Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Even the natural elements seem to mourn the loss of love, with the wind echoing the pain of heartbreak.


Hear the train blow, love, hear the train blow
The train represents the journey of life, and even as I experience heartbreak and loss, life continues to march on relentlessly.


Hang your head over, hear the train blow
The train symbolizes the passing of time, as life and the world around me moves forward while my heart remains stuck in the pain of heartbreak.




Contributed by Sebastian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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

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