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.
The Little Drummer Boy
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum pum pum pum)
To lay before the King (pa-rum pum pum pum)
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
This, is to honor Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
When we come (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Baby Jesus
I am a poor boy too
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum pum pum pum)
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum pum pum pum)
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
But may I play for you (pa-rum pum pum pum)
On my drum? (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The Mother Mary nodded
The Ox and Lamb kept time
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
Then He smiled at me (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
"The Little Drummer Boy," made popular by Johnny Cash, is a classic Christmas song telling the story of a young boy who feels he has no gift to present to the newborn King, Jesus Christ. The boy comes bearing only his humble drum and asks permission to play for the newborn King, to which Mary nods in approval, and the animals nearby provide the beat. The boy plays his drum with passion, giving his absolute best to honor the King. When he finishes, the baby Jesus smiles at him, and the boy feels he has given his best and been accepted by the Savior.
The song is quite powerful in its message, showing that no matter what one's status or circumstances, we can offer the best that we have to honor and serve the Savior. The drummer boy, though impoverished, was able to bring joy and love to the baby Jesus using his drumming skills. The song reminds us of the importance of giving our all, whatever that may be, in service to the Lord.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me
I was invited to go see the newborn king.
Our newborn King to see
We are going to see the new king that has just been born.
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum pum pum pum)
We bring the best things we have to offer as gifts for the king.
To lay before the King (pa-rum pum pum pum)
We want to present our gifts to the king as a sign of respect and honor.
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
The sound of the drum is used to symbolize the joyous occasion of the birth of the king.
This, is to honor Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
We are giving these gifts to honor and pay tribute to the king.
When we come (pa-rum pum pum pum)
We will be coming with open hearts and minds, ready to celebrate the birth of the king.
Baby Jesus
Referring to the newborn king, Jesus.
I am a poor boy too
I am just a simple and humble boy.
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I do not have anything valuable or materialistic to offer.
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I don't have anything that would be suitable or worthy enough to give to a king.
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
The boy plays his drum to demonstrate his love and respect for the king.
But may I play for you (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Can I play my drum, as my offering to show my love for the king?
On my drum? (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The boy is asking if playing his drum is an acceptable form of giving a gift.
The Mother Mary nodded
Mary gave her approval for the boy to play his drum.
The Ox and Lamb kept time
The animals in the stable were keeping rhythm with the boy's drumming.
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The boy played his drum for the new king.
I played my best for Him (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The boy played with his heart and soul, putting forth his best effort as a sign of his devotion.
(Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum)
The drum beat represents the beat of the boy's heart, filled with love and joy for the king.
Then He smiled at me (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The king smiled at the boy, as a sign of his gratitude and love for the music.
Me and my drum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The boy and his drum signify the simple and humble offerings that can be given with love and devotion, and that can be appreciated by the king.
Lyrics © ONErpm, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ellegauci4073
I can't stop playing this song, it is the best fit for Christmas time
@thebelizeaneh
I love Johnny Cash Christmas songs. Most songs by him aren't my favorite, there is usually someone I like more that sings the same Christmas song except for this one. I think nobody sounds better then Cash with this song.
@victoryflight859
I agree!
@johnnycash1747
Wow thanks for the likes and comments since when you have been a fans niko love you all👏❤️. Where are you from
@johnnycash1747
wow I do reallv wish to hear more from
due to I'm always busy maybe we could talk more Better outside here
@EmperorStarscream
OK miss Gucci I see u
@juliorock11
Super song !!! Great voice !!!
JOHNNY CASH MEU IDOLO MAIOR!!
🇺🇲👱♀️❤👦🏻🌞⭐🌞⭐🌞⭐
@ronhamilton801
This is one of his best.
@joserico8449
Cash was the kind of artist that could take any song to another level
@carriebowlen3785
One of my favorite song of all time.