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.
Far Side Banks Of Jordan
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still I've got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leavin' you behind
But if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
And somehow I've a feelin' it will be
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don't feel lost
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand
Through this life we've labored hard to earn our meager fare
It's brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I'll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come, then we'll see paradise
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand
I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand, hmm
The song "Far Side Banks of Jordan" by Johnny Cash and June Carter is a poignant expression of love, faith, and hope that transcends mortal life. The lyrics tell the story of two beloved souls who are separated by the inevitability of death but who are comforted by the assurance that they will be reunited in a better place. The first verse suggests that the singer is tired of the world and ready for the next journey, yet his one regret is leaving his loved one behind. He has a premonition that he will be the first to go, and he urges his partner not to feel lost when it is her time to travel because he will be waiting for her on the far side banks of Jordan.
The second verse speaks of the hard work and struggles that the couple has endured in this life. The imagery of trembling hands and failing eyes hints at the physical and emotional toll of aging and illness. The singer decides to rest on the shore and fix his eyes on paradise, knowing that he will see his partner again. The chorus repeats the comforting message that the singer will be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan, drawing pictures in the sand, and eagerly anticipating the arrival of his beloved. The final lines convey a powerful sense of reunion, as the singer promises to rise up and run through the shallow waters to reach his partner's hand, symbolizing the reunification of their souls in eternity.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe my steps are growin' wearier each day
I feel like I'm getting tired of this life
Still I've got another journey on my mind
But I know I still have more to do before it's over
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
The things that once made me happy don't interest me anymore
And my one regret is leavin' you behind
But my only regret is leaving you behind
But if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
If I die before you do
And somehow I've a feelin' it will be
Which I have this feeling might happen
When it comes your time to travel likewise, don't feel lost
When it's time for you to go too, don't be scared
For I will be the first one that you'll see
Because I'll be there waiting for you
Through this life we've labored hard to earn our meager fare
We've worked hard our whole lives for very little
It's brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
And it's taken a toll on our bodies
So I'll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
So I'll just wait here and look away until you come
Until you come, then we'll see paradise
And once you're here, we'll finally be in paradise
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be waiting for you on the other side of the river Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
I'll pass the time sitting on the shore, drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming, I will rise up with the shout
And when I see you approaching, I'll jump up and shout with joy
And come running through the shallow waters, reaching for your hand
And I'll run through the shallow water to reach out and grab your hand
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TERRY STEPHEN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@caitlynlangley136
My dad used to sing this to me as a kid. I didnβt understand it then. We lost him yesterday to a 3 year battle with cancer and as I said my final goodbyes, I told him I canβt wait to see those pictures in the sand π
@johnbonham9362
I'm sorry you lost your father stay strong
@QWZXM
Deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. I live in a small rural area in Nfld. with a total population of 5,000. Since March 31st, i have lost 8 friends -some less than 50 years old-mostly to that dreaded disease. God Bless.
@caitlynlangley136
Thank you and Iβm so sorry for your losses as well π
@wendyblake7719
I lost my husband 2 cancer on the 28th December 2022 still miss him π’
@glendagaskin151
I appreciate your words. I lost my daddy many years ago and I love the memories. The older I get the more special he is. God be with you and if youβre a Christian I believe we will know our loved one in heaven.
@williampoff3096
This Southern Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain Lady, and this Arkansas Delta Country Boy, sure made a beautiful couple. Till we meet on the other side of Jordan. Rest in Peace.
@Boltenstein1
If ever 2 people loved one another, it was Johnny and June.
@travisbayles870
There's no romance in Country Music that comes close to that of Johnny and June Carter Cash Their love withstood his addiction to drugs and the storms of life Their songs still sound as great as the day they were recorded We love you Johnny and June May God bless you always Rest in peace
@QWZXM
Agree- awesome words