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.
Goodbye little darlin' Start
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Parting don't always mean goodbye
Although we had to part you're always in my heart
Goodbye little darlin', goodbye
Goodbye little darlin', I'll miss you
Miss you like the stars would miss the sky
I hate to see you go, I'm gonna miss you
Goodbye little darlin', I love you
I'll love you until the day I die
Will you dream a dream of me wherever you may be
Goodbye little darlin', goodbye
In the song "Goodbye Little Darlin'," Johnny Cash sings a poignant goodbye to his love interest. The first verse indicates that they are separated, but this does not mean that they have to completely say goodbye. He notes that she will always be in his heart, and the use of the word "little" could be read as an endearing term for his love. In the second verse, he acknowledges how much he will miss her and compares it to the impossibility of stars missing the sky. He hates to see her go and is saying goodbye with heavy heart. Finally, in the last verse, he professes his love and promises that he will love her until the day that he dies. He asks her to dream of him no matter where she may be.
These lyrics from Johnny Cash's track "Goodbye Little Darlin'" evoke a mix of sadness and hope; the understanding that separation is inevitable but that love endures. The use of the term "little darlin'" gives the song a personal touch and makes it more intimate, as if the singer is serenading his love while bidding her farewell. Cash's deep, rumbling voice intensifies the emotional impact of the lyrics, matching the song's solemn tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye little darlin', we're parted
We are parting ways, but that doesn't necessarily mean we are saying goodbye forever.
Parting don't always mean goodbye
Just because we're separating, it doesn't mean we're saying goodbye forever.
Although we had to part you're always in my heart
Even though we're not physically together, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Goodbye little darlin', goodbye
Even though this goodbye is hard, it's not forever and we'll see each other again.
Goodbye little darlin', I'll miss you
I will deeply miss you and your absence will leave a void in my life.
Miss you like the stars would miss the sky
Your absence will be felt just like the absence of the sky's stars would be noticed by everyone.
I hate to see you go, I'm gonna miss you
I feel sad to see you leave and I know I will miss you deeply.
So goodbye little darlin', goodbye
Even though this goodbye is hard, it's not forever and we'll see each other again.
Goodbye little darlin', I love you
I want you to know that I love you deeply and always will.
I'll love you until the day I die
My love for you is eternal and will never fade, even until the end of my life.
Will you dream a dream of me wherever you may be
I hope you'll always think of me, even when we're apart and in your dreams.
Goodbye little darlin', goodbye
Even though this goodbye is hard, it's not forever and we'll see each other again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARRY, BERNICE SPARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jordanberkey2956
Too bad not many people know about this song, it's an amazing song.
@ronfowlermusic
yes it is, his catalog is so deep, always some 'new' gem to uncover
@soniacurrie9087
His voice was actually once beautiful.
@lennybuttz2162
My mom had this song on an Original Sun Records 45 and I used to listen to it all the time.
@jamescherry1943
I love every song this man every sang. I played Good little darling today because my wife of 53 years on this Mothers Day she wants out.
@gwensummerfield1408
Such a true legend respect love and blessings always, his legacy lives on 💓🎸🎶🙏🇭🇲
@jesusisreal7398
Your the reason why I love country music rip Johnny cash and June Carter cash I love both of you
@arnoldtrogman
the pure Simplicity of it all lends to the greatness of the sound.. we sure do miss you Johnny Cash
@rosco272002
The man was as great as his music. Thanks Johnny.
@keithoneil6711
Just love this old song beautiful and his voice wow