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.
Saginaw Michigan
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I grew up in a house on Saginaw Bay
My daddy was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman
Too many times he came home with too little pay
I loved a girl in Saginaw, Michigan
She was the daughter of a wealthy, wealthy man
But he called me, "That son of a Saginaw fisherman"
That's why I'm up here in Alaska looking around for gold
Like a crazy fool I'm a digging in the frozen ground, so cold
But with each new day I pray I'll strike it rich and then
I'll go back home and claim my love in Saginaw, Michigan
I wrote my love in Saginaw, Michigan
I said, "Honey, I'm a coming home, please wait for me
And you can tell your dad that I'm coming back a richer man
I've hit the biggest strike in Klondyke history"
Her dad met the bus in Saginaw, Michigan
And he gave me a great big party with champagne
Then he said, "Son, you're wise, young ambitious man
Why don't you sell your father-in-law your Klondyke claim?"
Now he's up there in Alaska digging in the cold, cold ground
That greedy fool is a looking for the gold I never found
But it serves him right and nobody here is missing him
Least of all the newly-weds of Saginaw, Michigan
The song "Saginaw Michigan" by Johnny Cash tells the story of a man who was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, a place which is known for its Bay, and reflects on his journey in love and life. He belonged to a family of fishermen, and his father couldn't make enough money to run the household. The singer fell in love with a girl who was from a wealthy family, but her father didn't approve of him and considered him unfit for his daughter. The singer then went to Alaska to find gold, get rich and win his love back. He writes a letter to his beloved to inform her of his plans to return home.
The song is presented in a narrative style and highlights the contrast between two worlds - the world of hardworking fishermen and the wealthy class. The song further emphasises the theme of longing and hoping for better things in life. In the end, the singer appears to have found his fortune; however, he was betrayed by his father-in-law who tricked him into selling his claim. The song portrays the struggles of life, the pursuit of happiness and how life is ultimately unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Saginaw, Michigan
I came into existence in a place called Saginaw, Michigan.
And I grew up in a house on Saginaw Bay
I spent my childhood in a house situated on Saginaw Bay.
My daddy was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman
My dad was a Saginaw fisherman who worked tirelessly but unfortunately, he was not well off.
Too many times he came home with too little pay
It was frequent that my father returned home with inadequate payment for the hard work he did.
I loved a girl in Saginaw, Michigan
There was a lady in Saginaw, Michigan with whom I was in love.
She was the daughter of a wealthy, wealthy man
The lady I loved had a father who was very wealthy.
But he called me, "That son of a Saginaw fisherman"
Her father referred to me as a son of a Saginaw fisherman, which I considered to be disrespectful.
And not good enough to ever claim his daughter's hand
As per her father, I was not suitable to marry his daughter.
That's why I'm up here in Alaska looking around for gold
Because of my failed love affair, I left Saginaw and am now in Alaska searching for gold.
Like a crazy fool I'm a digging in the frozen ground, so cold
I am digging in extremely cold frozen land like a foolish person.
But with each new day I pray I'll strike it rich and then
Every day I pray for the discovery of a large gold vein.
I'll go back home and claim my love in Saginaw, Michigan
If I find enough gold, I can fully provide for myself and my loved one back in Saginaw, and we can be together.
I wrote my love in Saginaw, Michigan
I sent a letter to my love interest in Saginaw, Michigan.
I said, "Honey, I'm a coming home, please wait for me
My letter explained that I was returning home and requested her to wait for me.
And you can tell your dad that I'm coming back a richer man
I asked her to inform her dad that I am returning home richer than before.
I've hit the biggest strike in Klondyke history"
I had struck gold and had more wealth than ever before.
Her dad met the bus in Saginaw, Michigan
Upon my arrival in Saginaw, Michigan, her father came to meet me.
And he gave me a great big party with champagne
He hosted a magnificent celebration complete with champagne.
Then he said, "Son, you're wise, young ambitious man
Her father proceeded to praise my wisdom, ambition, and youthfulness.
Why don't you sell your father-in-law your Klondyke claim?"
He suggested I consider selling my Klondyke claim to him.
Now he's up there in Alaska digging in the cold, cold ground
Her father is now up in Alaska digging in the frigid soil.
That greedy fool is a looking for the gold I never found
He is seeking the gold I searched for but never discovered because of his avarice.
But it serves him right and nobody here is missing him
No one here pities him, and he's getting his comeuppance for his selfishness and greed.
Least of all the newly-weds of Saginaw, Michigan
Certainly, the new couple in Saginaw is not feeling his absence.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bill Anderson, Donald Wayne Choate
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steelwillpower9794
Damn I love Michigan
@stevegeorge5702
Steel Willpower Pure Michigan ❤️
@zeehopeful
Love this song I’m from Saginaw Michigan ❤️
@coreyamond7480
So mother and grandparents. They were krupneks I think Hungarian immigrants. Michigan gave me so many great memories in so many different areas. Anyone remember Lamar Woodley the hot lb from there?
@chenellesimonetta1784
I miss Johnny so much. The man, the myth, the legend💔
@drew6808
My grandma grew up next door neighbors to Johnny cash down in Arkansas. They both worked the cotton farms and cash would play his guitar for all the neighborhood kids. My grandma got older and decided to move up her to the Saginaw area. It’s so cool to hear cash sing this
@cal_e_jo
That is so cool.
@janhutchens2593
I live in gwinn. I can't relate to people in saginaw but hi fellow michiganders!
@danielgall7665
I don't think I've ever heard a bad version of this song. Greetings from Michigan!
@bobbymadley3912
When Cash does your song, it's no longer your song!!! So much feeling, he just means every word!!