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.
Let The Train Blow The Whistle
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When my train has left the station
If you're there or not, I may not even know
Have a round and remember
Things we did that weren't so tender
Let the train blow the whistle when I go
On my old guitar sell tickets
And tell the girls down at the Ritz I said hello
Tell the gossipers and liars
I will see them in the fire
Let the train blow the whistle when I go
Let her blow, let her blow
Long and loud and hard and happy
Let her blow
No regrets, all my debts will be paid
When I get laid
Let her blow, let her blow, let her blow
You'll be left without excuses
For the evils and abuses
Down today from years and years ago
And have yourself another toke
From my basket full of smoke
And let the train blow the whistle when I go
Let her blow, let her blow
Long and loud and hard and happy
Let her blow
No regrets, all my debts will be paid
When I get laid
Let her blow, let her blow, let her blow
Let her blow, let her blow, let her blow
In Johnny Cash's song "Let The Train Blow The Whistle," the lyrics revolve around the idea of moving on from this world in peace, with no regrets or worries left behind. Cash says that he does not want any aggravation once his train has left the station, and that whether or not his loved ones are there to say goodbye, it would not matter as he would not even know. He then urges his friends to have a round and remember the good times they have shared, and to let the train blow the whistle when he goes.
In the second verse, Cash talks about his old guitar and says that he would like to sell tickets for it so someone can pick it up and carry it on after him. He also asks his friends to convey his hello to the girls at the Ritz and to let the gossipers and liars know that they will have to face the consequences of their actions. Finally, he encourages his friends to have another toke of his smoke and let the train blow the whistle when he goes.
The chorus starts with the refrain, "Let her blow, let her blow, long and loud and hard and happy," which is repeated thrice, and emphasizes the idea of Cash's departure being a celebration of his life. He reassures his loved ones that this moment is not something to be mourned, as all his debts will be paid once he gets laid, and he will have no regrets.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want no aggravation
I don't want any trouble or annoyance.
When my train has left the station
When I have passed away.
If you're there or not, I may not even know
Whether or not you are present, I will not be aware.
Have a round and remember
Enjoy a drink and reminisce.
Things we did that weren't so tender
Memories of less-than-tender moments.
Let the train blow the whistle when I go
When I pass away, let the train sound its whistle as a farewell.
On my old guitar sell tickets
Sell tickets for my beloved old guitar.
So someone can finally pick it
So that someone can enjoy it after I am gone.
And tell the girls down at the Ritz I said hello
Say hello to the ladies at the Ritz on my behalf.
Tell the gossipers and liars
Tell the rumor-spreaders and deceivers.
I will see them in the fire
I will confront them when they face judgment.
Let her blow, let her blow
Let the train sound its whistle.
Long and loud and hard and happy
A joyous and celebratory farewell.
No regrets, all my debts will be paid
I have no regrets and all my debts have been settled.
When I get laid
After I have passed away.
You'll be left without excuses
You will have no excuse for past wrongs.
For the evils and abuses
For the injustices and wrongs committed.
Down today from years and years ago
Still affected today, many years later.
And have yourself another toke
Have another puff of my smoking material.
From my basket full of smoke
From the large quantity of smoking material I possess.
And let the train blow the whistle when I go
And once again, let the train sound its whistle as a farewell.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fwestah
I don't want no aggravation
When my train has left the station
If you are there or not
I may not even know
Have a round and remember
Things we did that weren't so tender
Let the train blow the whistle when I go
On my guitar sell tickets
So someone can finally pick it
And tell the girls down at the Ritz
I said hello
Tell the gossipers and liars
I will see them in the fire
Let the train blow the whistle when I go
Let her blow, let her blow
Long and loud and hard and happy
Let her blow No regrets, all my debts will be paid
When I get laid Let her blow, let her blow, let her blow
You will be left without excuses
For the evils and abuses
Down to today from years and years ago
And have yourself another toke
From my basket full of smoke
And let the train blow the whistle when I go
Let her blow, let her blow
Long and loud and hard and happy
Let her blow No regrets, all my debts will be paid
When I get laid Let her blow, let her blow, let her blow
@jaymichael3079
Play this at my funeral.
@nathanielbarrassi4404
Tell you're family that pal. I just did my will.
@edwardparker6166
Have a round and remember....... this song means so much to me. RIP Mr. Cash
@nathanielbarrassi4404
Mee too
@jessieherrington8990
This will be played at my funeral.
@matthiaspaulsson8827
+Jessie Herrington gonna play it at my dads funeral this saturday
@jessieherrington8990
Peace to you and your family. I hope you find comfort in Johnny's song.
@matthiaspaulsson8827
thankyou :)
@nathanielbarrassi4404
My funeral as well. I just finished my will.
@emanq23
This song is everybody's life in a nutshell