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.
Give My Love to Rose
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dying fellow said
He said they let me out of prison down in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying to get back to LouisianaTo see my Rose and get to know my son
[Chorus]
Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
Tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
For it ain't right that she should live alone
Mister here's a bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for finding me this morning
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
[Chorus]
Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
"Give My Love to Rose" is a heartbreaking song by Johnny Cash which tells a story of a man who has just been released from prison after serving ten long years for a crime he's committed. He is found by the railroad track, dying, and asks the person who found him to deliver a message to his loved ones. The dying man requests that the messenger gives his love to his wife, Rose, and his son. He wants Rose to use the money he gives the messenger to buy some pretty clothes, and he wants his son to know how proud of him he is. He also tells his son to help his mom at home and encourages Rose to find another partner because he doesn't believe that she should live alone.
The interpretation of the song is the notion of regret and remorse, where the character is looking back over his life and feeling the weight of the things that he's done wrong. He is cognizant of his consequences and takes full responsibility for his actions. He has learned some valuable lessons while in prison, and his dying words are an expression of his love, hope, and desire for the well-being of his family.
The song has struck a chord with many listeners, and it was also covered by Bob Dylan, who included it on his album Nashville Skyline. It was then recorded by several other artists, including Joan Baez, who performed it at Woodstock in 1969. It has become a popular song among country music fans and has been praised for its simple yet poignant lyrics that speak to the universal human experience of love, loss, and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
I found him by the railroad track this morning
As I was walking along the railway, I stumbled upon a man who was on the verge of losing his life.
I could see that he was nearly dead
The man was in a very bad state, and it was obvious that he might not survive much longer.
I knelt down beside him and I listened
I got closer to the dying guy and paid attention to what he was saying.
Just to hear the words the dying fellow said
I was eager to hear the last words of the man who was about to breathe his last.
He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
The man revealed that he had been released from jail in San Francisco.
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
He had been in prison for a decade and had served his punishment for a crime he had committed.
I was trying to get back to Louisiana
His intention was to go to Louisiana.
To see my Rose and get to know my son
He had a daughter named Rose and a son whom he had never met before.
Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
The man asked me to pass on his love to his daughter Rose.
Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
He wanted me to give all his money to his daughter and ask her to spend it on herself.
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
The man wanted me to inform his son that he was really proud of him.
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
The man reiterated his request for me to give his love to his daughter Rose.
Won't you tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
He wanted me to express his gratitude to his family for waiting for him.
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
He urged me to tell his son to assist his mother at home.
Tell my Rose to try to find another
The man requested me to advise his daughter Rose to find someone else to start a relationship with.
For it ain't right that she should live alone
He believed that it was not good for his daughter Rose to live alone.
Mister here's a bag with all my money
The man gave me a bag full of money.
It won't last them long the way it goes
He knew that the money would not last long.
God bless you for finding me this morning
He prayed that God bless me for finding him that day.
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
He repeated his request to pass on his love to his daughter Rose.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
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