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.
Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(That's all right John)
Cause I know how much she wanted that dress in Baker's window
And it breaks my heart to tell her she'll have to wait
And cancel all the plans we made to celebrate
But I just know that she can take it with a smile and not a frown
Cause she knows life has its little ups and downs like ponies on a merry-go-round
She wears a gold ring on her finger and it's mine
Those new house plans we've had so long I guess will gather dust another year
And the daffodils are bloomin' that she planted way last fall upon the hill
And over by the gate God knows I hate to say again we'll have to wait
But I just know that she can take it with a smile and not a frown
Cause she knows life has its little ups and downs like ponies on a merry-go-round
And no one grabs a brass ring every time but she don't mind (No I don't mind)
She wears a gold ring on her finger and it's mine
She wears a gold ring on her finger and it's mine
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs" describe a couple facing disappointment and setbacks in life. The singer feels guilty about not being able to provide the material things his partner desires, such as a new dress or a new house, and having to postpone their plans to celebrate. He is worried about how she will react to the news, but acknowledges that she is a strong person who can handle life's challenges with a smile.
The song's chorus compares life to a merry-go-round, where one may experience ups and downs like ponies that go round and round. The singer notes that no one can grab the brass ring every time, meaning that not everyone can achieve success and happiness with every opportunity that comes their way. Despite this, the singer's partner is content with what they have, represented by the gold ring she wears on her finger.
The song's message is about finding happiness in life's simple pleasures and being grateful for what one has. It's also about having the strength and resilience to face life's challenges with grace and a positive attitude. The song resonates with many people as it reflects the struggles and setbacks that are a part of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know how to tell her I didn't get that raise in pay today
I am unsure of how to convey to her that I did not receive a pay increase today.
(That's all right John)
She understands, assures me that it is okay and that I need not oppose myself.
Cause I know how much she wanted that dress in Baker's window
I am completely aware of how much she desires to have the dress in Baker's window shop.
And it breaks my heart to tell her she'll have to wait
It saddens me heavily to inform her that she will need to delay purchasing the dress she desired.
And cancel all the plans we made to celebrate
We may need to cancel our scheduled celebrations together due to the uncertainty in financial stability.
But I just know that she can take it with a smile and not a frown
Nevertheless, I understand that she is a resilient individual, capable of dealing with these setbacks without getting disheartened.
Cause she knows life has its little ups and downs like ponies on a merry-go-round
She understands that life is a series of ups and downs, much like ponies on a rotating platform.
And no one grabs a brass ring every time but she don't mind (I don't mind)
She recognizes that not every opportunity can be seized, but she doesn't feel bad about it. ('I don't mind' refers to the artist, Johnny Cash)
Those new house plans we've had so long I guess will gather dust another year
Our long-awaited plans to construct a new house will have to be postponed for another year, and the plans themselves will now remain idle.
And the daffodils are bloomin' that she planted way last fall upon the hill
The daffodils that she planted last autumn are now blooming on the hill.
And over by the gate God knows I hate to say again we'll have to wait
I really hate to say that we will need to wait again, which I mention while referring to the gate.
She wears a gold ring on her finger and it's mine
Despite the difficulties and shortcomings of life, I am delighted to remember that she wears the golden ring that represents our love and fidelity, of which I am the owner.
Contributed by Isabella P. 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