Down the Street to 301
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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There's a boy across the street lately he's looked very neat
Seems he's always on the run down the street to 301
(Seems he's always on the run down the street to 301)

Saturday he mows the lawn it's about a crack of dawn
Nine o'clock the work's all done down the street to 301
(Nine o'clock the work's all done down the street to 301)
When it's back to school this fall, weather's chill may end it all
But for now there's lots of fun with the girl at 301
(But for now there's lots of fun with the girl at 301)

Maybe they will never wed sure they may break up instead
But for now she is the one the girl who lives at 301
(But for now she is the one the girl who lives at 301)

The boy who lives across the street has a reason to be neat
He's in love and on the run with the girl at 301
(He's in love and on the run with the girl at 301)

Don't you tell 'em to beware of a summer love affair




You know she is only one the girl that live at 301
(You know she is only one the girl that live at 301)

Overall Meaning

The song "Down the Street to 301" by Johnny Cash appears to be a simple tune about a young man who is in love with a girl who lives at 301. The boy is always on the run, likely running back and forth from her house across the street. He keeps himself very neat, perhaps to impress the girl. The lyrics suggest that they spend a lot of time together, having fun while they can. There is no indication that their relationship will last beyond summer, but they are in love nonetheless. Cash cautions against warning them of the transience of summer love affairs, imploring them that "she is the only one, the girl that lives at 301."


However, these lyrics can also be interpreted as a reflection on youthful innocence and the simplicity of young love. The boy is modestly dressed and hardworking, mowing lawns early in the morning, but still finding time to spend with his girlfriend. Despite the potential for heartbreak, the two seem content in the moments they share together. There is a sense of nostalgia inherent in the lyrics - it is a story of youth and first love.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a boy across the street lately he's looked very neat
The boy across the street has been looking quite well-kept, implying he has a newfound interest in impressing someone.


Seems he's always on the run down the street to 301
The boy is constantly making trips to the house at 301, suggesting that's where the subject of his affections resides.


Saturday he mows the lawn it's about a crack of dawn
He wakes up early on Saturdays to mow the lawn, presumably to impress the girl of interest with his diligence and responsible nature.


Nine o'clock the work's all done down the street to 301
He finishes his chores early and makes his way to the house at 301 at 9 o'clock, possibly suggesting he has plans with the girl there.


When it's back to school this fall, weather's chill may end it all
As summer holiday ends and colder weather approaches, their chance at romance may come to an end as well.


But for now there's lots of fun with the girl at 301
For the time being, they're enjoying each other's company and having fun together.


Maybe they will never wed sure they may break up instead
It's uncertain whether they will get married or break up, but in the present moment, they are happy together.


But for now she is the one the girl who lives at 301
Despite the uncertain future, the girl at 301 is the one the boy is currently enamored with.


The boy who lives across the street has a reason to be neat
The boy has a reason to dress and groom himself well, as he's trying to impress a girl he's fond of.


He's in love and on the run with the girl at 301
He's in love with the girl at 301 and often hurries over to spend time with her.


Don't you tell 'em to beware of a summer love affair
Others should not caution the boy or the girl about the possibility of this being just a summer fling.


You know she is only one the girl that live at 301
Regardless of how it turns out, the girl at 301 is the only one for the boy at the moment.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK CLEMENT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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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