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.
If I Give My Soul
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a heavy heart, and my hat clutched in my hand
Such a foolish fool, God ain't known no greater sinner
I have come in search of Jesus, hoping he will understand
I had a woman once; she was kind, and she was gentle
Had a child by me, who grew up to be a man
I had a steady job till I started into drinking
Oh, the years flew by like a mighty rush of eagles
My dreams and plans were all scattered in the wind
It's a lonesome life when you lose the ones you live for
If I make my peace with Jesus, will they take me back again?
If I give my soul, will he cleanse these clothes I'm wearin'?
If I give my soul, will he put new boots on my feet?
If I bow my head and beg God for his forgiveness
Will he breathe new breath inside me, and give back my dignity?
If I give my soul, will he stop my hands from shaking?
If I give my soul, will my son love me again?
If I give my soul, and she knows I really mean it
If I give my soul to Jesus, will she take me back again?
If I give my soul to Jesus, will she take me back again?
The song "If I Give My Soul" by Johnny Cash tells the story of a troubled man who is seeking redemption for his past mistakes. The singer of the song is standing before Jesus, praying for forgiveness and hoping for a chance to start anew. He is burdened with heavy guilt and remorse for his sins, and he wonders if giving his soul to Jesus will bring him salvation.
Through the lyrics of the song, we can see that the singer's past is marked by poor choices and unfortunate circumstances. He had a woman who loved him and a son who respected him, but he lost them both through his addiction to alcohol and making music that went against his beliefs. He realizes that he has strayed from the path of righteousness and that he needs Jesus to guide him back.
The chorus of the song centers around the theme of redemption. The singer wonders if Jesus will accept him if he gives his soul to him. He hopes that Jesus will cleanse his sins, allow him to start over, and restore what he has lost. The lyrics show the singer's vulnerability, fear, and deep desire to make amends for his mistakes.
Overall, "If I Give My Soul" is a powerful song about the human condition, the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and the quest for redemption. It is a poignant reminder that no matter how far we may have strayed from the path, there is always hope for a new beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Down a dangerous road, I have come to where I'm standing
I have led a risky life and reached a place where I am now.
With a heavy heart, and my hat clutched in my hand
I carry great sorrow with me, as I hold on tightly to my hat.
Such a foolish fool, God ain't known no greater sinner
I admit that I am a foolish man, and that God has yet to encounter a greater sinner.
I have come in search of Jesus, hoping he will understand
I am seeking Jesus and hoping that he will understand my situation.
I had a woman once; she was kind, and she was gentle
I was once with a woman who was loving and gentle.
Had a child by me, who grew up to be a man
We had a child together who has grown into an adult.
I had a steady job till I started into drinking
I had a reliable job until I began drinking excessively.
And I started making music that went with the devil's band
I began creating music that aligned with the devil and his followers.
Oh, the years flew by like a mighty rush of eagles
The years went by quickly, like a powerful group of eagles.
My dreams and plans were all scattered in the wind
My hopes and ambitions were all blown away by the wind.
It's a lonesome life when you lose the ones you live for
Life becomes lonely when you lose those you love the most.
If I make my peace with Jesus, will they take me back again?
I wonder if my loved ones will accept me again if I find peace with Jesus.
If I give my soul, will he cleanse these clothes I'm wearin'?
I am wondering if giving my soul to Jesus will clean my dirty clothes.
If I give my soul, will he put new boots on my feet?
I question if Jesus will give me new boots if I give him my soul.
If I bow my head and beg God for his forgiveness
If I humble myself and ask for God's forgiveness
Will he breathe new breath inside me, and give back my dignity?
Can God revive me and restore my self-respect?
If I give my soul, will he stop my hands from shaking?
I wonder if giving my soul to Jesus will stop my hands from trembling.
If I give my soul, will my son love me again?
I question if my son will love me again if I give my soul to Jesus.
If I give my soul, and she knows I really mean it
If I give my soul and she believes it to be genuine
If I give my soul to Jesus, will she take me back again?
I question if my loved one will take me back if I give my soul to Jesus.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOE SHAVER
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