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.
Paul Revere
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This great nation started comin' alive
Ol' King George didn't look it one bit
So he proceeded to throw him a royal fit
He told his generals better get 'em back in line
Make 'em pay my taxes now America is mine
Stop that Independence cops before it gets around
Well the King was talking bout the men like Paul Revere
And the minute men who held their dream of Independence dear
They kept their eyes on the British they watched 'em day and night
They knew very soon they'd get their chance to stand and fight
Yes they knew that the British would get movin' any hour
So they arranged a signal in the Northern Church Tower
Paul was watchin' when the tower showed a light
And he started on his midnight ride
He jumped on his horse hoofs started a hummin'
He screamed out his warning redcoats're comin'
Better get your guns and your fightin' britches on
They're comin' and they're eight hundred strong
Next mornin' at Concord and Lexington town
The spirit of freedom turned the redcoats around
When we praise the men who made this mighty nation we have here
Then let's remember Paul Revere yes let's remember Paul Revere
I guarantee you somethin' and I wanna tell you all
That we never would've been here if it hadn't been for Paul
Yes sir I surely doubt us ever bein' here
If it hadn't been for that man on that horse named Mr Revere
The song "Paul Revere" by Johnny Cash retells the events that led to the American Revolution and the role played by Paul Revere, a silversmith and a patriot who is known for his famous "midnight ride". The song captures the tension and the conflict between the American colonists and the British Empire, and highlights the bravery and determination of the patriots who risked their lives for the cause of independence. The lyrics provide a clear narrative of the events leading up to the war, starting with the tensions that emerged in 1775 and escalating with the British attempts to suppress rebellion and the patriot's preparations for war.
The song pays tribute to Paul Revere, who is described as a symbol of the spirit of freedom and independence of the American people. The lyricist praises Revere's vigilance, as he and his compatriots kept watch on the British forces and warned the American colonists of impending attacks, thereby helping to prepare them for the eventual conflict. The song also highlights the critical role played by the patriots in resisting the British Empire and achieving independence.
Line by Line Meaning
In April of 1775
The American Revolution began.
This great nation started comin' alive
The United States of America began to form.
Ol' King George didn't look it one bit
King George III was not happy about the rebellion.
So he proceeded to throw him a royal fit
King George III was angry about the rebellion.
He told his generals better get 'em back in line
King George III demanded that the Americans stop rebelling.
Make 'em pay my taxes now America is mine
King George III wanted the Americans to pay taxes to Great Britain.
Stop that Independence cops before it gets around
King George III wanted to end the idea of American independence.
Or it'll gonna be hard to hold them rebels down
King George III knew that it would be difficult to stop the American rebels if they gained momentum.
Well the King was talking bout the men like Paul Revere
King George III was referring to American patriots, such as Paul Revere.
And the minute men who held their dream of Independence dear
The American patriots cherished the idea of independence.
They kept their eyes on the British they watched 'em day and night
The Americans were vigilant and monitored the British movements.
They knew very soon they'd get their chance to stand and fight
The Americans knew that the British would eventually attack and they would have to defend themselves.
Yes they knew that the British would get movin' any hour
The Americans anticipated that the British would attack at any moment.
So they arranged a signal in the Northern Church Tower
The Americans set up a signal to alert people to the British movement.
Paul was watchin' when the tower showed a light
Paul Revere was keeping a lookout and saw the signal light in the tower.
And he started on his midnight ride
Paul Revere began his famous ride to warn the Americans of the British attack.
He jumped on his horse hoofs started a hummin'
Paul Revere got on his horse and started to ride fast.
He screamed out his warning redcoats're comin'
Paul Revere yelled that the British were coming.
Better get your guns and your fightin' britches on
Paul Revere advised the Americans to prepare for battle.
They're comin' and they're eight hundred strong
The British were approaching with a strong force of 800 soldiers.
Next mornin' at Concord and Lexington town
The next morning, the first battles of the American Revolution took place at Concord and Lexington.
The spirit of freedom turned the redcoats around
The American patriots' desire for freedom caused the British to retreat.
When we praise the men who made this mighty nation we have here
When we give recognition to those who created the USA,
Then let's remember Paul Revere yes let's remember Paul Revere
We should always remember the bravery of Paul Revere and his ride to warn the Americans of the British attack.
I guarantee you somethin' and I wanna tell you all
I promise you something and I want to tell everyone.
That we never would've been here if it hadn't been for Paul
Without Paul Revere's warning, the outcome of the first battles of the American Revolution would have been different.
Yes sir I surely doubt us ever bein' here
I am confident that the United States of America would not exist without Paul Revere's heroic actions.
If it hadn't been for that man on that horse named Mr Revere
Paul Revere is the reason we remember the first battles and how the American Revolution started.
Contributed by Gavin C. 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