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.
Old Doc Brown
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a little country town
Fame and fortune had passed him by
Though we never saw him frown
As day by day in his kindly way
He'd serve us one and all
Many a patient forgot to pay
Though he needed his dimes and there were
Times that he'd receive a fee
He'd pass it onto some poor soul
That needed it worse than he
He had to sell his furniture
Couldn't pay his office rent
So to a dusty room over a livery stable
Doc Brown and his satchel went
And on the hitchin' post at the kerb below
To advertise his wares
He nailed a little sign that read
"Doc Brown has moved upstairs"
And one day he didn't answer
When they knocked upon his door
Old Doc Brown was layin' down
But his soul was no more
They found him there in that old black suit
On his face was a smile of content
But all the money they could find on him
Was a quarter and a copper cent
So they opened up his ledger
And what they saw gave their hearts a pull
Beside each debtor's name old Doc
Had write these words, "Paid in full"
Old Doc should had
A funeral fine enough for a king
It's a ghastly joke our town was broke
And no one could give a thing
'Cept Jones an undertaker
He did mighty well
Donated an old iron casket
He had never been able to sell
And the funeral procession
It wasn't much for grace and pomp and the style
But those wagon loads of mourners
They stretched out for more than a mile
We wanted to give him a monument
We kinda figured we owed him one
'Cause he made our town a better place
For all the good he'd done
We pulled up that old hitchin' post
Where Doc had nailed a sign
We'd painted it white and to all of us
It certainly did look fine
Now the rains and the snows
Have washed away our white trimmin's of paint
There ain't nothin' left but Doc's own sign
And that's gettin' pretty faint
But you can still see that old hitchin' post
As if in answer to our prayers
Mutually tellin' the whole wide world
Doc Brown has moved upstairs
"Old Doc Brown" is a tribute to a small town country doctor who dedicated his life to serve humanity. Johnny Cash pays his respects to the country doctor who had passed away in his sleep. The lyrics paint the picture of a humble man who had no wealth or fame, but his deeds were true and noble. Doc Brown had lived a simple life, and his selflessness won the love and admiration of everyone who met him. He would often treat his patients without charge or take a small fee, which he would later donate to someone who needed it more than him.
The song describes how Doc Brown's fortunes dwindled in his old age, and he had to move his office from a rented space to a small room over a livery stable. However, despite his financial struggles, Doc Brown was content with his life and greeted everyone with a smile. In death, the goodness of Old Doc Brown's heart was revealed in his ledger where he had written, "paid in full," beside each debtor's name. The song ends with the touching tribute of a modest funeral procession and a commemorative sign hung in memory of Doc Brown.
"Old Doc Brown" is one of Johnny Cash's most heartwarming songs that uplifts the human spirit. The lyrics offer a subtle message about the value of kindness and selflessness. The song also struck a chord with audiences during the time of its release in 1963 when the world was rapidly changing, and traditional small towns were disappearing.
Line by Line Meaning
He was just an old country doctor
Doc Brown was a humble physician who lived in a small country town.
In a little country town
Doc Brown's place of residency was situated in a rural, remote area.
Fame and fortune had passed him by
Although Doc Brown had great skills as a physician, he didn't receive the recognition or wealth that he deserved.
Though we never saw him frown
Doc Brown always had a smile on his face and showed kindness to his patients.
As day by day in his kindly way
Doc Brown served his patients with compassion and empathy every single day.
He'd serve us one and all
Doc Brown treated everyone who needed his help, regardless of their ability to pay his meager fees.
Many a patient forgot to pay
Some of Doc Brown's patients couldn't afford to pay for his services and forgot to pay him.
Although Doc's fees were small
Doc Brown charged very little for his services.
Though he needed his dimes and there were
Despite his own financial struggles, Doc Brown would sometimes give money back to his patients who needed it more than he did.
Times that he'd receive a fee
Occasionally, people did pay Doc Brown for his work.
He'd pass it onto some poor soul
When someone did pay Doc Brown, he'd often give it to someone else who couldn't afford his services.
That needed it worse than he
Doc Brown would use the money he received to help those in dire need of his medical expertise.
He had to sell his furniture
Due to his financial struggles, Doc Brown had to sell his furniture.
Couldn't pay his office rent
Doc Brown fell behind on his office rent payments.
So to a dusty room over a livery stable
Doc Brown was forced to move his practice to a humble room located above a stable, filled with dust and dirt.
Doc Brown and his satchel went
Doc Brown used an old, worn bag to carry his medical equipment and supplies.
And on the hitchin' post at the kerb below
To signal his new location, Doc Brown hung a sign on a post by the side of the road.
To advertise his wares
The sign was meant to attract potential patients and let them know about Doc Brown's medical services.
He nailed a little sign that read
Doc Brown posted a sign to publicize his change of location.
And one day he didn't answer
One day, when someone knocked at Doc Brown's door, he didn't respond.
When they knocked upon his door
People who wanted to see Doc Brown went to his office and knocked on his door to get his attention.
Old Doc Brown was layin' down
Doc Brown was found laying down in his office.
But his soul was no more
Unfortunately, Doc Brown had passed away.
They found him there in that old black suit
Doc Brown was discovered in his office wearing a worn-out black suit.
On his face was a smile of content
Despite his struggles, Doc Brown was happy with his life due to his profound concern for others.
But all the money they could find on him
When people found Doc Brown's body, they only found a few coins on him.
Was a quarter and a copper cent
The only money they discovered on Doc Brown's person was a small sum of change.
So they opened up his ledger
To figure out his debts and finances, Doc Brown's ledger was reviewed.
And what they saw gave their hearts a pull
People were moved by what they saw when they looked at Doc Brown's ledger.
Beside each debtor's name old Doc
Each person whom Doc Brown had helped and was owed money was listed in his ledger.
Had write these words, "Paid in full"
Doc Brown had paid off everyone's debt in his ledger so it would not burden them anymore.
Old Doc should had
It would have been right for Doc Brown to have
A funeral fine enough for a king
Doc Brown deserved a grand funeral.
It's a ghastly joke our town was broke
Due to the town's financial condition, it was impossible to provide Doc Brown with a funeral worthy of his name.
And no one could give a thing
Nobody had anything of value to give towards Doc Brown's funeral.
'Cept Jones an undertaker
The only person who could help was a man named Jones, who worked as an undertaker.
He did mighty well
Jones did his best with what he could put together for Doc Brown's funeral.
Donated an old iron casket
Jones gave an ancient, metal casket as the funeral item for Doc Brown's burial.
He had never been able to sell
The metal casket had not attracted any buyers so far.
And the funeral procession
The procession of Doc Brown's body to the cemetery for burial.
It wasn't much for grace and pomp and the style
The funeral procession was simple and did not exude grandeur or elegance.
But those wagon loads of mourners
The people who came to pay their respects for Doc Brown filled several wagons.
They stretched out for more than a mile
The line of people went for over a mile.
We wanted to give him a monument
Many people in town wanted to erect a monument in Doc Brown's honor.
We kinda figured we owed him one
The people believed that it was a debt they owed to Doc Brown for all the good he had done for them.
For all the good he'd done
Doc Brown had done many great things to make the town a better place, especially his selfless acts towards those who could not afford his services.
We pulled up that old hitchin' post
People removed Doc Brown's aging signpost.
Where Doc had nailed a sign
The sign Doc Brown had hung on the post by the roadside.
We'd painted it white and to all of us
People painted the sign white, which looked new and improved.
It certainly did look fine
The sign looked far better than its previous form.
Now the rains and the snows
Weather has beaten and weathered the sign over time.
Have washed away our white trimmin's of paint
The white color of the paint on the sign has faded away with the passage of time.
There ain't nothin' left but Doc's own sign
The only thing remaining is the original sign from Doc Brown.
And that's gettin' pretty faint
However, even the original sign is fading away and hard to read.
But you can still see that old hitchin' post
Despite the fading signs, visitors can still see the same hitching post where Doc Brown used to hang his sign.
As if in answer to our prayers
People consider its survival as answering their prayers to remember Doc Brown.
Mutually tellin' the whole wide world
The sign on the hitching post and its survival serves as a reminder to the world of Doc Brown's goodness and selflessness.
Doc Brown has moved upstairs
The sign indicates that Doc Brown has passed away, but his memories and the legacy he left behind live on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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