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.
I Ride An Old Paint
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm off to Montan' for to throw the hooley ann
They feed in the coulees, they water in the draw
Their tails are all matted, their backs are all raw
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
The fiery and snuffy are raring to go
One went to Denver the other went wrong
His young wife died in a poolroom fight
But he tries to keep singing from morning till night
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
The fiery and snuffy are raring to go
When I die take my saddle from the wall
Strap it my pony, lead him out of the stall
Throw my bones on his back, turn our faces to the west
And we'll ride the prairie that we love the best
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
The fiery and snuffy are raring to go
Johnny Cash's "I Ride An Old Paint" is an iconic track that conjures up images of the American West and the rugged lifestyle associated within. The song is essentially the story of a cowboy, narrated in the first person. The first verse introduces the singer's two horses: Paint and Dan, and his destination: Montan'. This is followed by a description of the horses, which is less than ideal - with matted tails and sore backs from long hours of riding across the range. But, despite their condition, the horses are "raring to go" as they head off to the hooley ann - a cowboy term for a big party or celebration.
The second verse is a little darker and introduces a character named John, who has had some tragic losses in his life. John lost his wife in a poolroom fight and one of his daughters went astray. However, through all his trouble, John remains resilient and continues to sing, which is a powerful image of the cowboy spirit in the face of adversity. The final verse is a reflection, with the singer asking that when they die, their saddle be removed from the wall and strapped to their horse. The singer's bones will then be laid upon the horse's back and the two will ride off into the sunset and onto the prairie.
The song has an accessible melody, but its true appeal lies in its evocation of the cowboy way of life and its history. The images painted by the verses are vivid and poetic, and the song ultimately tells a timeless story about the bond between a man and his horses. It is worth noting that Johnny Cash's version of the song is arguably the most popular rendition, but the song's origins are difficult to trace, as it is a traditional cowboy song that has been passed down orally for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
I ride an old paint, I lead an old Dan
I am riding an old horse named Paint and leading an old horse named Dan.
I'm off to Montan' for to throw the hooley ann
I am heading to Montana to have a big, festive party.
They feed in the coulees, they water in the draw
The horses graze in the valleys, and drink from the streams.
Their tails are all matted, their backs are all raw
The horses' tails are tangled and their backs are sore from all their hard work.
Ride around little dogies, ride around slow
Ride around, young cattle, take it easy and go slow.
The fiery and snuffy are raring to go
Some of the wild and untamed cattle are restless and eager to move.
Well John's had two daughters and the song
John, the singer of this song, had two daughters as mentioned in the lyrics.
One went to Denver the other went wrong
One daughter moved to Denver while the other went down the wrong path in life.
His young wife died in a poolroom fight
John's young spouse passed away in a violent altercation in a poolroom.
But he tries to keep singing from morning till night
Despite these tragedies, John keeps singing from sunrise to sunset.
When I die take my saddle from the wall
When I die, take the saddle from my wall.
Strap it my pony, lead him out of the stall
Attach the saddle to my trusty horse and lead him out of the stable.
Throw my bones on his back, turn our faces to the west
Place my remains on my horse's back, and ride westward towards the setting sun.
And we'll ride the prairie that we love the best
We will travel across the prairie we hold dear.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRADITIONAL, J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
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