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.
He'll Be a Friend
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call in the animals two by two and don't let a sinful man go through
So the flood came just like he said and every evil thing on earth was dead
But Noah's faith was like a rock God laid his ark on a mountain top
He'll be a friend and guide you he'll walk along with you
He'll feel it there inside you he'll help you make it through
When things look dark Noah saw the light cause faith had told him right was might
Well you've heard of Samson the strong man the mightiest man in all the land
There was one purpose for his might he had to deliver the Israelites
By the Philistines he was overcome they tied him up to carry him home
But Samson prayed and his bounds were gone
He killed a thousand with an old jawbone
He'll be a friend and guide you he'll walk along with you
He'll feel it there inside you he'll help you make it through
God showed Samson what to do and it's the same God that stands by you
If you need a friend he'll guide you he'll be a friend to you
The song "He'll Be a Friend" by Johnny Cash is a spiritual song that narrates two stories of biblical characters who were guided and strengthened by God - Noah and Samson. The lyrics discuss how God helped Noah build the ark and save all living creatures from the flood while wiping out all the sinful things from the earth. The song then shifts to focus on Samson and how he was able to kill a thousand Philistines with just an old jawbone after being captured by them. Both Noah and Samson were able to overcome adversity and achieve great things because they had faith and belief in God. The lyrics assure the listener that if they also have faith and belief in God, then he will guide them and be their friend through difficult times.
The song's chorus emphasizes the message that God will always be there for the listener as a friend and guide. The lyrics also highlight how God's presence can be felt inside the listener and will help them make it through tough times. The final two lines of each verse emphasize that God will be a friend to the listener if they reach out to him.
Overall, "He'll Be a Friend" is a message of comfort and hope to those who may be struggling with difficulties in their lives. The lyrics make clear that God is always there to help and guide them if they have faith in him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, God told Noah to build an ark
God instructed Noah to build an ark in preparation for the upcoming heavy rain.
He said it's gonna rain, gonna be dark
God informed Noah about the impending rain and darkness.
Call in the animals two by two
Noah was ordered to collect and store two animals of each species inside the ark.
And don't let a sinful man go through
God commanded Noah to exclude any wicked person from entering the ark.
So the flood came just like He said
The flooding event occurred as God had predicted.
And every evil thing on earth was dead
All evil creatures on earth were eradicated due to the flood.
But Noah's faith was like a rock
Despite facing immense hardships, Noah's trust in God never faltered.
God laid his ark on a mountain top
God anchored the ark on a mountain top once the flood had ended.
He'll be a friend and guide you
God is always ready to provide help and guidance.
He'll walk along with you
God promises to be with you and support you in every step of your journey.
You'll feel it there inside you
One can internally sense God's presence and support.
He'll help you make it through
God will support you in overcoming any difficulties or burdens you may face.
When things look dark Noah saw the light
When everything seemed bleak, Noah's faith allowed him to perceive hope and light.
'Cause faith had told him right was might
Noah's faith taught him that righteousness was more powerful than physical strength.
If you need a friend He'll guide you
God offers to support and guide you whenever you may require it.
You've heard of Samson, the strong man
Samson was a well-known strongman from ancient times.
The mightiest man in all the land
Samson was considered the strongest man in his area.
There was one purpose for his might
God had granted Samson his strength for a specific reason.
He had to deliver the Israelites
Samson's strength was intended to liberate the Israelites from their enemies.
By the Philistines he was overcome
Samson was defeated by the Philistines.
They tied him up to carry him home
The Philistines restrained and captured Samson.
But Samson prayed and his bounds were gone
Through prayer, Samson's restraints were miraculously released.
He killed a thousand with an old jawbone
Samson managed to kill a thousand enemies using only an old jawbone as a weapon.
God showed Samson what to do
God provided Samson with guidance on how to defeat his enemies.
And it's the same God that stands by you
The same God who assisted Samson is ready to support and guide you too.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY 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