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.
Sweet Betsy From Pike
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
Two yoke of oxen a big yeller dog
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog
One evenin' quite early they camped on the plat
Down by the road on a green shady flat
Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose
Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
Down in the sand she lay rollin' about
While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise
He said, "Betsy get up, you'll get sand in your eyes"
Well the Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
Ike he got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad
Well a miner said, "Betsy will you dance with me"
"I will now old Hoss if you don't make too free
But don't dance me hard do you want to know why
Doggone you I'm chocked full of strong alkali"
Ike and sweet Betsy got married ofcourse
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained the divorce
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
"Goodbye you big lummox, I'm glad you backed out"
The song Sweet Betsy From Pike tells the story of a young woman named Betsy who ventures from her hometown of Pike with her lover Ike, and the trials and tribulations they experience along the way. The opening lines of the song set the scene for listeners as they are transported back in time to visualize Betsy and Ike crossing the big mountains with two yoke of oxen, a big yeller dog, a tall Shanghai rooster, and one spotted hog. The couple arrives at a resting stop where Betsy takes a break, and Ike gazes on his "Pike County rose."
The journey becomes increasingly difficult as they reach the desert and Betsy collapses, causing Ike to feel helpless and frustrated that he cannot do anything to help her. The rest of their journey does not go as planned, with the Shanghai running off, and all the cattle dying, leaving them with only the last piece of bacon to eat. In the end, Ike becomes jealous and obtains a divorce, but Betsy is relieved and satisfied with his decision. The song is a bittersweet tale of adventure with a somewhat happy ending.
Sweet Betsy From Pike was believed to have originated during the 1850s during the California Gold Rush, with multiple versions of the lyrics and tune recorded. The song was popularized and became widely known through performances in vaudeville shows and minstrel shows during the late 19th and early 20th century. The song has since become a classic American folk song, with various adaptations and recordings made by popular musicians such as Burl Ives, Johnny Cash, and Gene Autry. The song's catchy tune and easy-to-remember lyrics have made it a favorite amongst folksingers and children's music groups.
Line by Line Meaning
Now don't you remember sweet Betsy from Pike
Do you recall the story of Betsy from Pike?
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
She crossed the mountains along with her partner, Ike.
Two yoke of oxen a big yeller dog
They had two pairs of oxen and a large yellow dog.
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog
Also, a tall Shanghai rooster and a spotted hog were present with them.
One evenin' quite early they camped on the plat
One evening before it became dark, they camped at a plain area.
Down by the road on a green shady flat
The spot was near the road, and it was a flat area covered in greenery that provided shade.
Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose
Betsy felt exhausted, and she lay down to sleep.
And Ike he just gazed on his Pike County rose
Ike watched her fondly, as if he was observing a beautiful rose from Pike County.
Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
However, they reached a desert, and Betsy's energy levels gave in.
Down in the sand she lay rollin' about
She fell in the sand and rolled around.
While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise
Ike, with tearful eyes, witnessed this scene with surprise.
He said, "Betsy get up, you'll get sand in your eyes"
He urged her to stand up, warning that sand would get into her eyes.
Well the Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died
The tall Shanghai rooster fled, and all their cattle died.
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
They consumed the last piece of bacon that morning.
Ike he got discouraged and Betsy got mad
This made Ike sad, and Betsy became angry.
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad
The dog seemed to understand the difficult situation and looked sad, wagging its tail.
Well a miner said, "Betsy will you dance with me"
Later, a miner asked Betsy if she would be willing to dance.
"I will now old Hoss if you don't make too free
She agreed only if he didn't get too familiar with her.
But don't dance me hard do you want to know why
She warned him not to dance too aggressively, and do you want to know why?
Doggone you I'm chocked full of strong alkali
She exclaimed: 'Darn it! I'm full of strong alkali.'
Ike and sweet Betsy got married ofcourse
Ike and Betsy got married, as expected.
But Ike gettin' jealous obtained the divorce
Unfortunately, Ike became jealous and filed for a divorce.
Betsy well satisfied said with a shout
Betsy, on the other hand, was pleased and shouted out:
"Goodbye you big lummox, I'm glad you backed out"
Good riddance, you big clumsy person. I'm happy you left.'
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ResettisReplicas
♫♪ Oh do you remember Darth Plaguies the Wise?
I thought not, you'd not hear it from the Jedis,
He used the dark forces, for creating life,
Perhaps the Sith powers could help save your wife.
He had so much power when using the force,
But he couldn't stay strong forever, of course.
His apprentice, with whom all his secrets were kept,
Betrayed Wise Darth Plaguies, killed him while he slept.
You can't learn this skill from a Jedi because,
The Jedi believe it's against nature's laws,
Darth Plagues's tale is of great irony,
He saved everyone but himself, tragically.♫♪
@ilikeeggs2696
Now don't you remember sweet Betsy from Pike
Who crossed the big mountains with her lover Ike
Two yoke of oxen a big yeller dog
A tall Shanghai rooster and one spotted hog
One evenin' quite early they camped on the plat
Down by the road on a green shady flat
Where Betsy got tired and lay down to repose
And Ike he just gazed on his Pike County rose
Well they soon reached the desert where Betsy gave out
Down in the sand she lay rollin' about
While Ike in great tears looked on in surprise
He said, "Betsy get up, you'll get sand in your eyes"
Well the Shanghai ran off and the cattle all died
The last piece of bacon that mornin' was fried
Ike he got discouraged and Betsy got mad
The dog wagged his tail and looked wonderfully sad
@alexataiwan3
Try these lyrics. The tune accompanies them wonderfully.
O lover eternal to whom we belong
Your name, it is holy. Your kingdom is come.
Your will both on earth and in heaven is done.
You meet with our needs satisfying each one.
The sin that we live in we pray you forgive
As we forgive others, so they too may live.
So send no temptation. Cause evil to end
O kingdom, and power and glory, Amen!
@Asian-ManX
US history sent me here
@bunger1115
Yup
@humikilz3175
Whats the answer I don't wanna liston
@anatalie222
I'm here because of social studies
@kito7598
Anatalie same
@itzorca3997
Same lol
@tvrios6201
Anatalie same
@miaderensteyn3035
haha same
@831_mobbin1
same
@mamawfrancy
I'm here because I'm older than dirt & this song was stuck in my head & I can't get it out! ;)