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.
Patriot
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
I love mom and apple pie
And the freedoms that we all enjoy across this beautiful land
I worked hard and I fight hard for the old Red, White, and Blue
And I'll die a whole lot harder if it comes to where I have to
I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
And when I see old Glory waving
I think of all the brave men
Who have fought and died for what is right and wrong
And when I see old Glory burnin', my blood begins to churnin'
And I could do some fightin' of my own
I don't believe in violence, I'm a God fearing man
But I'll stand up for my country just as long as I can stand
'Cause I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
And I enjoy the liberty of being what I want to be
And achieve any goals that I can
I was taught to turn the other cheek, but daddy used to say
Walk soft and pack a big stick, but never walk away
I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
And when I see old Glory waving
I think of all the brave men
Who have fought and died for what is right and wrong
And when I see old Glory burnin', my blood begins to churnin'
And I could do some fightin' of my own
'Cause I love all my brothers and we're proud of our group
We've got the greenest country here on God's green earth
I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
In "Song Of The Patriot," Marty Robbins sings about his love for his country, the United States of America. He proudly proclaims himself to be a "flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam," and a "rough riding fighting Yankee man." He loves his country, its people, its values, and its flag. He feels a connection to those who fought and died for their country, and he would do the same if it were necessary. Even though he doesn't believe in violence, he would stand up for his country as long as he can stand. He enjoys the freedom to be who he wants to be and achieve any goals he can.
The song is a tribute to the United States and the people who love it. The lyrics describe the pride and patriotism that many Americans feel for their country. The song's message is that America is a great country, and its people should do whatever it takes to defend it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
I am a proud citizen of the United States, who is loyal to my country and ready to fight for it if needed.
A rough riding fighting Yankee man
I am a tough and brave individual, who is not afraid of facing challenges and fighting for my country.
I love mom and apple pie
I value traditional American values and culture.
And the freedoms that we all enjoy across this beautiful land
I appreciate the freedom and opportunities that America provides for its citizens.
I worked hard and I fight hard for the old Red, White, and Blue
I am willing to put in effort and make sacrifices to defend and serve my country.
And I'll die a whole lot harder if it comes to where I have to
I am willing to give my life for my country if needed, and I will do so bravely and without hesitation.
And when I see old Glory waving
When I see the American flag waving, I feel a great sense of pride and respect for my country.
I think of all the brave men
I have deep admiration and gratitude towards those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Who have fought and died for what is right and wrong
I recognize the importance of standing up for what is just and ethical, even if it requires great sacrifice.
And when I see old Glory burnin', my blood begins to churnin'
If I witnessed someone burning the American flag, it would make me angry and upset.
And I could do some fightin' of my own
I would feel compelled to defend the honor of my country and its flag, even if it meant using force.
I don't believe in violence, I'm a God fearing man
While I am willing to fight for my country, I do not enjoy violence and I prioritize my faith and values above all else.
But I'll stand up for my country just as long as I can stand
I am committed to defending my country and its values for as long as I am physically able.
'Cause I'm a flag waving, patriotic nephew of my Uncle Sam
I am proud to be a citizen of the United States and eager to express that pride.
And I enjoy the liberty of being what I want to be
I value the freedom and opportunities America provides, which allow me to pursue my own goals and dreams.
And achieve any goals that I can
I am determined to achieve success and make the most of the opportunities I have been given as an American citizen.
I was taught to turn the other cheek, but daddy used to say
While I believe in forgiveness and humility, I also recognize the importance of being strong and resilient in the face of adversity.
Walk soft and pack a big stick, but never walk away
I approach challenges with a combination of caution and assertiveness, and I never back down from a fight for what I believe in.
And when I see old Glory burnin', my blood begins to churnin'
If I witnessed someone burning the American flag, it would make me angry and upset.
'Cause I love all my brothers and we're proud of our group
I feel a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty towards my fellow Americans, and I value the sense of community and belonging that comes with being part of this group.
We've got the greenest country here on God's green earth
I believe that America is the best and most beautiful country in the world, with abundant natural resources and a strong economy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS, SHIRL MILETE
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