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.
Fourth Man
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They held on to the will of
God so we are told they wouldn't bow
They would not bow their knees
To Idols made of gold they wouldn't burn
They were protected by the Fourth
Man in the fire they wouldn't bend
They wouldn't bow, they wouldn't burn
Three men who walked with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Before the wicked king they stood
And the king commanded them bound and thrown
Into the fiery furnace that day
But the fire was so hot
That the men were slain
That forced them on their way
Now when the three were cast in
And the king rose up
To witness this awful fate
He began to tremble at what he saw
In astonished tones he spake
Did we not cast three men bound
Into the midst of the fire
Well, Lo, I see four men unhurt
Unbound and walking down there
There's Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
And the fiery coals they trod
But the form of the Fourth Man that I see
Is like the Son of God
These lyrics are from Johnny Cash's song "Fourth Man," which is inspired by the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The song highlights the unwavering faith and courage of these three men who refuse to worship idols made of gold. Despite facing the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace by the wicked king, they stand firm in their belief in God.
The first verse emphasizes their refusal to bow down and worship the idols. It repeats the phrase "they wouldn't bend, they wouldn't bow, they wouldn't burn" to emphasize their determination and faithfulness. The mention of the "Fourth Man in the fire" suggests divine intervention or protection, indicating that despite the intense heat of the furnace, they remain unharmed.
The second verse introduces the prophet Daniel, who tells the story of these three men walking with God. The king's command to have them thrown into the fiery furnace reflects the king's power and cruelty. However, the verse ends on a somber note, stating that the heat of the fire leads to the death of those who threw them in, underscoring the severity of the situation.
As the story unfolds, the king witnesses a remarkable sight. When the three men are thrown into the fire, he sees a fourth figure walking with them. The king, trembling and astonished, acknowledges that they had thrown three men into the furnace, but now he sees four men who remain unharmed and free from their bindings. The final lines of the song suggest that this fourth figure is "like the Son of God," implying that it is a divine presence accompanying the three men in their trial.
Overall, the song portrays a powerful message of unwavering faith and divine protection in the face of adversity. It reflects the biblical story's themes of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of danger, and the reassurance that God is present to offer guidance and support.
Line by Line Meaning
They wouldn't bend
They refused to compromise
They held on to the will of God so we are told they wouldn't bow
They remained faithful to God's commands and refused to worship idols
They would not bow their knees
They refused to submit or worship false gods
To Idols made of gold they wouldn't burn
They resisted the temptation to worship idols made of gold
They were protected by the Fourth Man in the fire
They were saved and shielded from harm by the presence of the Fourth Man
They wouldn't bend
They remained firm and unbending in their faith
They wouldn't bow, they wouldn't burn
They would not give in to pressure or compromise their beliefs
Now the prophet Daniel tells about Three men who walked with God
The prophet Daniel recounts the story of three men who had a close relationship with God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Before the wicked king they stood
These three individuals boldly confronted the evil king
And the king commanded them bound and thrown Into the fiery furnace that day
The king ordered them to be tied up and thrown into a burning furnace
But the fire was so hot That the men were slain That forced them on their way
The intensity of the fire killed the soldiers who threw them in
Now when the three were cast in And the king rose up To witness this awful fate
As the three were thrown into the fire, the king stood to observe the horrifying event
He began to tremble at what he saw In astonished tones he spake
He was filled with fear and spoke in a shocked and amazed manner
Did we not cast three men bound Into the midst of the fire
Didn't we throw three bound men into the fire?
Well, Lo, I see four men unhurt Unbound and walking down there
Look, I see four men walking unharmed and free down there
There's Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego And the fiery coals they trod
There are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego treading on fiery coals
But the form of the Fourth Man that I see Is like the Son of God
The appearance of the Fourth Man resembles the Son of God
Lyrics © CLAY MUSIC CORPORATION
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