Notable covers of this song include versions done by The Gin Blossoms, Reverend Horton Heat, Brooks & Dunn, Los Tigres Del Norte, and The Folsom Prison Gang.
Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, "son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dinin' car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
Well, I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little
Farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
The song Folsom Prison Blues is a classic country tune by legendary musician Johnny Cash. The lyrics are about a prisoner who is stuck in Folsom Prison and hears a train coming that is heading to San Antone. He reminisces about his past and how he ended up in prison after shooting a man in Reno. The prisoner acknowledges that he had it coming and can't be free. He imagines that the people on the train are rich and enjoying themselves, while he is stuck feeling tortured at Folsom Prison. The prisoner then dreams of being free and moving away from Folsom Prison if he had his own railroad train.
The song's theme is about the consequences of actions and the regret that follows. The prisoner is aware that he had it coming after shooting a man in Reno and can't be free from the punishment of his crime. The train represents the hope that the prisoner can move forward with his life, but ultimately, the thought of the people on the train enjoying themselves and his inability to join them is what tortures him the most. The song is a commentary on social class and the divide between those who are free and those who are not, represented by those on the train and the prisoner, respectively.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a-comin'
I am aware of the approaching train
It's rollin' 'round the bend
The train is just around the corner
And I ain't seen the sunshine
I haven't had the freedom I used to enjoy
Since, I don't know when
It is difficult to recall the last time I had freedom
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I am incarcerated in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Time seems to move very slowly in the prison
But that train keeps a-rollin'
The train continues to move faster than time itself
On down to San Antone
The train is heading towards San Antonio, Texas
When I was just a baby
When I was a young child
My Mama told me, 'son
My mother advised me
Always be a good boy
To always behave properly
Don't ever play with guns'
To never engage with firearms
But I shot a man in Reno
Despite her advice, I still shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
Simply for the pleasure of witnessing his death
When I hear that whistle blowin'
Upon hearing the train's whistle
I hang my head and cry
I become overwhelmed with sadness and regret for my actions
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I would assume that wealthy individuals are currently dining
In a fancy dinin' car
In a luxurious dining carriage
They're probably drinkin' coffee
They are possibly consuming coffee
And smokin' big cigars
And smoking large cigars
Well, I know I had it comin'
I am aware of the inevitability of my punishment
I know I can't be free
I have accepted that I will not be granted freedom
But those people keep a-movin'
Although I am confined, the world outside the prison is still moving forward
And that's what tortures me
The thought of missing out on life and opportunities causes me pain
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If I were granted freedom from incarceration
If that railroad train was mine
And if I owned the train currently passing by
I bet I'd move it on a little
I'd hasten the train's pace
Farther down the line
And travel further away from Folsom Prison
Far from Folsom Prison
Distant from my current confinement
That's where I want to stay
I wish to remain far from the prison's reach
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
I'd allow the train's melancholic whistle sound to resonate with me
Blow my blues away
To ease my sadness and sufferings
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LebSista
I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since
I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me
"Son, always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry
🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin'
And that's what tortures me
🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶
Well if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
@DirkDraussen
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, "Son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
If they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away.
So Great!
@speakeroftruth5739
"Hello i'm Johnny Cash" I never heard of a more iconic line
@blacksmith093
Facts
@ethanlewis5993
Gives me chills every damn time
@pfoster1666
A couple of days ago I saw a guy with a black T-shirt with a large picture of John, which said in fancy letters "Johnny Cash / The Man in Black". My first thought would be "John would not approve."
@brucereimers8095
He speaks the truth
@natecalhoun4427
"Let me introduce Led Zeppelin to you" is a close second imo
@gregodonnell1570
Still hits hard in 2023,
great music is timeless.
@vee2739
literally this song has been stuck in my head for like 10 years and I'm only 24 😂
@juantrejo2277
Yes sir
@BasedBosniak
🤚🏻