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.
Missouri Waltz
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rest your head on mommie's breast while daddy hums a tune
Are the old folks were humming the banjos were strumming
And the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by
Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody
When I was a little fellow on my mommie's knee
The old folks were humming the banjos were strumming so sweet and low
Hush a bye my baby go to sleep on daddy's knee
Oh, it seems like your daddy was there once again
And the old folks were strumming that same old refrain
Way down in Missouri when I heard this lullaby
While the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high
Are the old folks were humming the banjos were strumming so sweet and low
The lyrics of Johnny Cash's "Missouri Waltz" are a lullaby that puts a child to sleep while the father hums a melody that reminds him of Missouri, his homeland. The song tells of how the father recalls his youth when he was just a little fellow sitting on his mommie's knee, listening to the old folks humming and playing the banjos, as the soft breezes sigh. The song takes the listener on a journey of nostalgia and reminiscence.
The father sings to his baby to hush and to sleep on his knee as he conjures up an image in his mind of Dixie Land. The father also seems to be transported back to his own childhood as he sings about hearing the same old refrain in Missouri when the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high. The melody evokes memories of a place and time that were simple, sweet, and carefree.
Overall, the song "Missouri Waltz" by Johnny Cash is a sweet and nostalgic lullaby that paints a picture of a peaceful time in Missouri. The melody and lyrics are simple yet heartfelt and powerful, taking the listener on a journey of remembrance and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Hush a bye my baby slumber time is coming soon
Be quiet, my child, it's time to sleep soon.
Rest your head on mommie's breast while daddy hums a tune
Lie down and rest on your mother's chest while I sing a song to you.
Are the old folks were humming the banjos were strumming
I remember the elderly people humming while someone played the banjo.
And the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by
The gentle wind reminds me of the past, the days long gone.
Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody
I heard this song in Missouri, a long way from here.
When I was a little fellow on my mommie's knee
I was just a small child, sitting on my mother's lap.
The old folks were humming the banjos were strumming so sweet and low
I recall the sweet and gentle strumming of the banjos while the elderly folks hummed along.
Hush a bye my baby go to sleep on daddy's knee
Go to sleep while sitting on my lap, my dear child.
Journey back to Dixie Land in dreams again with me
Let's travel back to Dixie land together, in our dreams.
Oh, it seems like your daddy was there once again
It feels like I've gone back to a time where I was with you once more.
And the old folks were strumming that same old refrain
The elderly people were playing the same tune over and over again.
Way down in Missouri when I heard this lullaby
I heard this lullaby when I was in Missouri, which feels so distant now.
While the stars were blinking and the moon was shining high
The stars were shining brightly and the moon was high in the sky.
Are the old folks were humming the banjos were strumming so sweet and low
I can still hear the sounds of the elderly folks humming, while someone played the banjo so sweetly and gently.
Lyrics © HAL LEONARD LLC
Written by: J. EPPEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carmaleen Magyar
This song is for everyone who lives in Missouri. Thank you and will treasure this song!
chronique86
My dad used to sing this to me when I was a boy, if I was sick or upset. I’m so glad I found this. I miss him so so much.
dry
the way things are going makes me think a lot about existential things, but in the end it usually comes back to me hoping whatever happens to this country doesn’t harm missouri. i’ve lived here for 5 years and they’ve been 5 of the best years of my life. i love missouri, her hills and mountains, her forests and rivers, her caves and waterfalls. this place makes me feel at peace like nowhere else, and i hope that one day we get to fix our issues and live peacefully from the verdant ozarks in the south to the vast openness of the north, from the small, secluded towns to the grand, storied metropolises, this place has been my home almost longer than any other, and like the generations before me, i hope to make missouri my home forever.
Becky Clark
One of the most beautiful state songs there is. God Bless Missouri from Kentucky:)
Karen Bartlett
Becky Clark: Thank you, Ma'am.
_ Wheeler
Thank ya.
Austin Brase
@WolfPack5Fan I agree I live in Southeast of Missouri right on top of the Boothill I've been in Kentucky I love Kentucky I hate Kansas it's mostly liberal
Illuminaughty
Thank you very much 😁❤️
thedillpickle100
How wonderful to hear Johnny sing this old song.
I was born in KCMO even though we lived in Wyandotte county Kansas. Dad had to retire early and we moved to our Summer house at Lake of the Ozarks when I was 10.
The local radio (1150 am, KRMS. Still on the air btw.) signed off at sunset and back on at sunrise. I'll never forget they played the Star Spangled Banner in the morning and the Missouri Waltz at night. I remember that my school in Kansas stopped saying the Pledge of Allegiance but my new school in Camdenton did.
Stuff like that made me proud to be a Missourian.
Lawrence Link
As a native Missourian, from the home of sliced bread, this song is amazing.