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.
Have Thine Own Way Lord
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit 'till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
Johnny Cash's version of "Have Thine Own Way Lord" is a heartfelt and passionate plea to God for guidance and healing. In this song, Cash paints himself as the "clay" and God as the "potter," calling upon the Almighty to shape and mold him as He sees fit. Cash submits himself completely to God's will, offering himself as a blank slate for God to work with. Throughout the song, Cash begs for God's guidance, wisdom, and healing, pleading for the power of God to touch him and make him whole.
The song is an expression of the Christian faith, and its lyrics are deeply rooted in the biblical metaphor of the potter and the clay. In the Bible, God is frequently compared to a potter who shapes and molds His people for His divine purpose. This metaphor also appears in other famous hymns, including "Change My Heart, O God" and "Spirit of the Living God."
Johnny Cash recorded "Have Thine Own Way Lord" for his 1962 album, "Hymns from the Heart." The album was a departure from Cash's usual country sound, and instead focused on traditional gospel hymns. "Have Thine Own Way Lord" was a standout track and quickly became a fan favorite. Today, the song remains a beloved hymn among Christians around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
I give control to you, Lord. You have complete authority over my life.
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
You are the creator, and I am your creation. You have the power to shape and mold me as you please.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
Shape me according to your desires and plans for my life.
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
As I wait for your direction, I am submitting myself to your will and being patient.
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Examine every part of me and test me, Lord, to reveal any areas needing improvement.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
Cleanse me of my sins and make me pure like freshly fallen snow.
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
In your presence, I am brought low with humility and respect.
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
When I am hurting and tired, Lord, come to my aid and give me strength.
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
You possess all power, and there is nothing beyond your control.
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Reach out and heal me, Lord, for you are the savior of my soul.
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Take complete control over my entire being, and have ultimate authority over my life.
Fill with Thy Spirit 'till all shall see
Allow the Holy Spirit to overflow within me until others can visibly see His presence in me.
Christ only, always, living in me.
May Christ be the only focus of my life, always present and living through me.
Lyrics © HOPE PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: POLLARD STEBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dante Grey
Beautiful songs. I am so glad he straightened his Life out. Now he and June are singing again together in Heaven...
Nick Dunn
Seotic Duo Aaaaamen.. Thats right looking upon Jesus face.. Praise be to God..
Kjell Åke Granlund
I LOVE THIS SONG. JOHNNY CASH SINGS IT VERY GOOD.
Barcane
You can also hear it on Spotify, but thanks for posting! <3
God bless
Ein Mensch
Songtext:
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will.
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now .
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit until all shall see.
Christ only, always, living in me.
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Deutscher Liedtext:
Hab deinen eigenen Weg, Herr! Hab deinen eigenen Weg!
Du bist der Töpfer, ich bin der Ton.
Forme mich und mache mich nach Deinem Willen.
Hab deinen eigenen Weg, Herr! Hab deinen eigenen Weg!
Du bist der Töpfer, ich bin der Ton.
Forme mich und mache mich nach Deinem Willen.
Während ich warte, ergeben und still.
Hab deinen eigenen Weg, Herr! Hab deinen eigenen Weg!
Erforsche mich und prüfe mich heute, Meister!
Weißer als Schnee, Herr, wasche mich jetzt.
Da in deiner Gegenwart verneige ich mich demütig.
Hab deinen eigenen Weg, Herr! Hab deinen eigenen Weg!
Bleib dran, dass ich unbeschränkt schwinge!
Fülle (mich) mit deinem Geist, bis alle (es) sehen werden.
Alleine Christus, (er) lebt (für) immer in mir.
Barcane
Danke. :) Der Herr sei mit dir, amen.
HotWax93
I am a Christian, and my family is Christian, but we didn't go to church very much until I was about 13, so I wasn't exposed to much "church music" before then. Yet at various times, I could hear family members singing this song around home. Johnny Cash did a great job with it too.