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.
Down There By The Train
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the sinner can be washed in the blood of the lamb
There's a river by the trestle down by sinner's grove
Down where the willow and the dogwood grow
You can hear the whistle, you can hear the bell
From the halls of heaven to the gates of hell
And there's room for the forsaken, if you're there on time
If you're down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there where the train goes slow
There's a golden moon that shines up through the mist
And I know that your name can be on that list
There's no eye for an eye, there's no tooth for a tooth
I saw Judas Iscariot carrying John Wilkes Booth
He was down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
He was down there where the train goes slow
If you've lost all your hope, if you've lost all your faith
I know you can be cared for and I know you can be safe
And all the shamefuls and all of the whores
And even the soldier who pierced the side of the Lord
Is down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there where the train goes slow
Well, I've never asked forgiveness and I've never said a prayer
Never given of myself, never truly cared
I've left the ones who loved me and I'm still raising Cain
I've taken the low road and if you've done the same
Meet me down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there where the train goes slow
Meet me down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there by the train
Down there where the train goes slow
Johnny Cash's "Down There By The Train" is a song that talks about a place where sinners go to repent and be cleansed. This place is found where the train goes slowly, where sinners can submerge themselves in the blood of the lamb. The song evokes an atmosphere of redemption and forgiveness where anyone, even the most sinful, can have a clean start.
The lyrics of the song talk about specific images that point to the location of the place where the train goes slow. There's a river, a trestle, and grove where the willow and dogwood grow. These images come together to create a picture of nature, where the elements of the earth are present and provide a peaceful and natural atmosphere. The song also refers to biblical figures such as Judas Iscariot and John Wilkes Booth, which creates a link between the setting and the religious connotations of redemption, forgiveness, and sin.
The song's message is hopeful, promising forgiveness to anyone, regardless of their past. Cash calls out to those who have lost hope, those who have lost their faith, and those who feel lost and alone. Despite his own struggles, Cash offers to meet those who have gone down the same path as him down there by the train.
Overall, "Down There By The Train" portrays a powerful image of forgiveness, redemption, and acceptance. It's an invitation to anyone who feels lost and alone to come and find peace and comfort in a place that promises to wash away their sins.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place I know where the train goes slow
I know of a location where the train passes at a measured pace
Where the sinner can be washed in the blood of lamb
Where those who have deviated from righteous living can be redeemed
There's a river by the trestle down by sinner's grove
A river flows beside the wooden frame supporting the train, and it is near the place where people who have veered away from morality reside
Down where the willow and the dogwood grow
Where the willow and dogwood trees flourish
You can hear the whistle, you can hear the bell
The sound of the whistle and the bell are audible
From the halls of heaven to the gates of hell
The sounds can be heard from the furthest boundaries of heaven to the closest entry point to hell
And there's room for the forsaken, if you're there on time
And there is space for the outcasts, but it is crucial to be prompt
You'll be washed of all your sins and all of your crimes
All your blunders and wrongdoing will be forgiven
If you're down there by the train
If you are situated nearby
There's a golden moon that shines up through the mist
A shining golden moon is visible through the mist
And I know that your name can be on that list
And I am aware that you can be among the worthy ones
There's no eye for an eye, there's no tooth for a tooth
There is no cycle of revenge and retaliation
I saw Judas Iscariot carrying John Wilkes Booth
I saw the portrayal of treachery and evilness
He was down there by the train
He was located nearby
If you've lost all your hope, if you've lost all your faith
If you have misplaced all optimism and trust
I know you can be cared for and I know you can be safe
I am convinced that you can receive care and protection
And all the shamefuls and all of the whores
And all the disgraceful and sexually immoral individuals
And even the soldier who pierced the side of the Lord
And even the soldier who caused agony to the Son of God
Is down there by the train
Is present nearby
Well, I've never asked forgiveness and I've never said a prayer
I have never sought pardon or beseeched the divine
Never given of myself, never truly cared
I have never shown generosity or compassion
I've left the ones who loved me and I'm still raising Cain
I have abandoned those who loved me and recklessly sowed chaos
I've taken the low road and if you've done the same
I have opted for the path of evil and if you have done the same
Meet me down there by the train
Join me in the neighborhood of the passing train
Down there where the train goes slow
In that exact place where the train passes at a manageable speed
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS, KATHLEEN BRENNAN
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