I See a Darkness
Johnny Cash Lyrics

Well, you're my friend
The singer is speaking to a close friend

And can you see
Asking if the friend can notice something

Many times we've been out drinking
The two have spent a lot of time together, drinking

Many times we've shared our thoughts
The two have had deep conversations before

But did you ever, ever notice
Asking if the friend has ever realized

The kind of thoughts I got?
The singer has darker thoughts that they haven't shared

Well, you know I have a love
The singer loves everyone they know

A love for everyone I know
Emphasizing that they love everyone they know

And you know I have a drive
The singer has a strong motivation to live

To live, I won't let go
The singer won't give up on life

But can you see this opposition
The singer is facing a challenging opposition

Comes rising up sometimes?
The challenging opposition arises at times

That it's dreadful imposition
The opposition is a burden that is difficult to face

Comes blacking in my mind
The opposition makes the singer's mind dark

And then I see a darkness
The darkness represents the singer's negative thoughts and emotions

And then I see a darkness
Repeating the idea of darkness, emphasizing its impact

And then I see a darkness
Continuing to repeat the idea of darkness

And then I see a darkness
Emphasizing the darkness as a recurring problem

Did you know how much I love you?
Asking the friend if they know how much the singer cares for them

Is a hope that somehow you
The singer has hope that the friend can help

Can save me from this darkness
The friend may be able to help the singer overcome their negative thoughts and feelings

Well, I hope that someday, buddy
The singer expresses hope for the future with their friend

We have peace in our lives
The singer wants their lives to be free of turmoil

Together or apart
Whether they are together or not, the hope for peace is still present

Alone or with our wives
Whether they are alone or with their significant others, the hope for peace is still present

And we can stop our whoring
The singer wants to stop engaging in negative behaviors

And pull the smiles inside
The singer wants to internalize happiness

And light it up forever
The singer wants to maintain the happiness forever

And never go to sleep
The singer wants to always be happy

My best unbeaten brother
Addressing the friend as a close, undefeated ally

This isn't all I see
There are other things on the singer's mind besides the darkness

Oh no, I see a darkness
The darkness is continuing to impact the singer

Oh no, I see a darkness
Repeating the idea of darkness

Oh no, I see a darkness
Continuing to repeat the idea of darkness

Oh no, I see a darkness
Emphasizing the ongoing impact of the darkness

Did you know how much I love you?
Repeating the question to emphasize the importance of the friendship

Is a hope that somehow you
Emphasizing the hope that the friend can help

Can save me from this darkness
Repeating the idea of hope that the friend can help the singer overcome their struggles