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.
O Christmas Tree
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With faithful leaves unchanging.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
With faithful leaves unchanging,
Not only green in summer's heat,
But also winter's snow and sleet;
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
With faithful leaves unchanging.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Of all the trees most lovely.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Of all the trees most lovely;
Each year you bring to me delightGleaming in the Christmas night.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Of all the trees most lovely.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Your leaves will teach me also,
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Your leaves will teach me also
That hope and love and faithfulness
Are precious things I can possess.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,Your leaves will teach me also.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,How lovely are your branches.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,How lovely are your branches.
In summer sun or winter snowA coat of green you always show.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,How lovely are your branches.
"O Christmas Tree" is a traditional Christmas carol that celebrates the beauty and steadfastness of the evergreen Christmas tree. The song addresses the tree directly, praising its resilient leaves that remain green and vibrant throughout the changing seasons. The first verse describes how the tree's leaves are not only green in the warm summer months but also during the harsh winter snow and sleet, highlighting the tree's unwavering faithfulness. The second verse continues to praise the tree's beauty, saying it's "of all the trees most lovely" and brings delight during the Christmas season. The third verse goes on to suggest that the tree can also serve as a teacher, promoting hope, love, and faithfulness, all of which are precious virtues that people can possess.
The lyrics of "O Christmas Tree" are simple, yet powerful, and they encapsulate the essence of what the Christmas tree symbolizes for many people: a source of joy, beauty, and stability amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the holiday season. By exalting the tree's unchanging nature and using it as a metaphor for the enduring qualities of love, hope, and faith, the song invites listeners to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas and the values it represents.
Line by Line Meaning
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
The singer addresses the Christmas tree with an expression of joy and fondness.
With faithful leaves unchanging.
The tree's leaves remain steadfast and constant throughout the seasons, never changing or falling off.
Not only green in summer's heat,
The tree's leaves do not decay even in the heat of summer, and they retain their green color year-round.
But also winter's snow and sleet;
The tree is resilient even in harsh, winter weather, continuing to hold its leaves without faltering.
Of all the trees most lovely.
The artist regards the Christmas tree as the most beautiful among all trees.
Each year you bring to me delight
The tree's presence during the Christmas season brings joy and happiness to the singer's life.
Gleaming in the Christmas night.
The tree radiates a luminous and sparkling appearance on Christmas Eve.
Your leaves will teach me also,
The artist recognizes that the tree's constancy and strength can serve as a lesson or an example in life.
That hope and love and faithfulness
The tree embodies valuable virtues such as hope, love, and faithfulness that the artist can learn from.
Are precious things I can possess.
These virtues are worthy attributes that the artist can acquire or attain.
How lovely are your branches.
The singer expresses admiration and awe at the beauty and grace of the tree's branches.
In summer sun or winter snow
The tree remains resplendent and glorious in both seasons, braving both sunlight and snowfall.
A coat of green you always show.
The tree maintains its green color regardless of weather conditions or time of year.
How lovely are your branches.
The singer concludes with a repetition of their previous admiration for the tree's branches, resuming their sense of wonder and awe.
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@narancauk
The best version ever.
@davido.norris3135
The Carter Family is wonderful on this song. Anita Carter's brilliant harmony is amazing.
@narancauk
@@davido.norris3135 Never fails to enchant me
@adriennecharliot9272
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