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.
Introduction
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By the prophet Isaiah and down these paths have passed the feet of many
Leaving footprints victim to the wind for the sands of time to cover
Only to make place for another footstep to fall
And upon the promise of the prophets, many generations look for
The coming of the prince of peace, the Messiah
And many have come saying, "I am the one, it is I they speak of, it is I"
And many have gone a short-lived deserved promise to fulfill
Never a man spoke like this man, never a man did the things on this earth
That this man did, and his words were as beautiful as his miracles
To many believers their life's desire is to be baptized in the Jordan river
As Jesus was, they kneel at the holy places, places that are holy simply
Because Jesus was there, they walk the way of the cross
They shout, "Praise the Lord" and they mean it
In Johnny Cash's song "Introduction," he reflects on the timeless prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. He refers to the prophet Isaiah, who spoke of the Messiah's coming centuries before the birth of Jesus. Cash speaks of the many who have come claiming to be the one spoken of in the prophecies, but only one came who truly fulfilled them. This man spoke with unmatched eloquence and performed miraculous deeds.
Cash portrays the deep desire of many believers to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to be baptized in the Jordan River and walk the way of the cross. The holy places that they kneel at are considered so because Jesus was there. Through these lyrics, Cash highlights the profound impact that Jesus had on the world and the enduring power of his message.
The song captures the parallels between the biblical prophecies of Jesus and the experiences of many religious followers, who are looking for meaning and purpose in their own lives. Cash's deep respect for the teachings of the Bible is evident in this song, and he encourages his listeners to look to Jesus as a source of wisdom and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
These words were spoken centuries before Jesus
The prophet Isaiah spoke these words before the time of Jesus, many centuries ago.
By the prophet Isaiah and down these paths have passed the feet of many
Isaiah's words have been remembered and passed down through generations and many people have walked down the paths of life.
Leaving footprints victim to the wind for the sands of time to cover
People's footprints and memories are eventually forgotten as the sand of time covers them up.
Only to make place for another footstep to fall
However, new people will come along and leave their own footprints and continue the cycle of life.
And upon the promise of the prophets, many generations look for
The promise of the prophets is that the Messiah, the prince of peace, will come and many generations are waiting for this promise to be fulfilled.
The coming of the prince of peace, the Messiah
The promised one is the prince of peace, the Messiah who will bring peace to the world.
And many have come saying, "I am the one, it is I they speak of, it is I"
Many people have claimed to be the Messiah, thinking they are the one that was promised by the prophets.
And many have gone a short-lived deserved promise to fulfill
However, many of these claimants failed to live up to the promise and their reign was short-lived.
These timeless prophecies, but one came by that wasn't forgotten
Despite many false claimants, there was one person who fulfilled the prophecies and was not forgotten.
Never a man spoke like this man, never a man did the things on this earth
This man spoke and acted in a way that was unprecedented and unparalleled by any other person.
That this man did, and his words were as beautiful as his miracles
The beautiful words of this man were matched by the miracles he performed.
To many believers their life's desire is to be baptized in the Jordan river
For many believers, being baptized in the same river as Jesus is a life-long desire.
As Jesus was, they kneel at the holy places, places that are holy simply
Many believers kneel at holy places where Jesus once was, and these places are considered holy simply because he was there.
Because Jesus was there, they walk the way of the cross
Jesus' presence inspires many believers to walk the same path he did and follow in his footsteps.
They shout, "Praise the Lord" and they mean it
Believers express their genuine gratitude and love for God through shouting praises.
Writer(s): Besh O Drom
Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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