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 Mercy Seat
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And put me on Death Row
A crime for which I'm totally innocent, you know
I began to warm and chill
To objects and their fields
A ragged cup, a twisted mop
The face of Jesus in my soupThose sinister dinner deals
The meal trolley's wicked wheels
A hooked bone rising from my food
And all things either good or ungood
And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this weighing of the truth
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And, anyway, I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.
I hear stories from the chamber
Christ was born into a manger
And like some ragged stranger
He died upon the cross
Might I say it seems so fitting in its way
He was a carpenter by trade
Or at least that's what I'm told
My killed hands tattooed E.V.I.L.
across it's brother's fist
That filthy five!
They did nothing to challenge or resist
In Heaven His throne is made of gold
The ark of His Testament is stowed
A throne from which I'm told
All history does unfold.
It's made of wood and wire
And my body is on fire
And God is never far away
Into the mercy seat I climb
My head is shaved, my head is wired
And like a moth that tries
To enter the bright eye
I go shuffling out of life
Just to hide in death awhile
And, anyway, I never lied
And the mercy seat is waiting
And I think my head is burning
And in a way I'm yearning
To be done with all this weighing of the truth
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And, anyway, I told the truth
And I'm not afraid to die.
And the mercy seat is burning
And I think my head is glowing
And in a way I'm hoping
To be done with all this twistin' of the truth
An eye for an eye
And a tooth for a tooth
And, anyway, there was no proof
And I'm not afraid to die
And the mercy seat is glowing
And I think my head is smokin'
And in a way I'm hoping
To be done with all these looks of disbelief.
A life for a life
And a truth for a truth
And I've got nothing left to lose
And I'm not afraid to die
And the mercy seat is smokin'
And I think my head is melting
And in a way that's helping
To be done with all this twistin' of the truth
An eye for an eye
And a truth for a truth
And, anyway, I told the truth
But I'm afraid I told a lie.
The song "Mercy Seat" is one of Johnny Cash's most haunting compositions, written by his close friend and frequent collaborator Nick Cave. It is a tale of a man who has been falsely condemned to death row but maintains his innocence, with much of the lyrics focusing on his thoughts and emotions as he faces his impending execution. The song has a strong religious undertone, drawing comparisons between the singer's situation and that of Jesus Christ, as well as exploring themes of guilt, punishment, and redemption.
From the opening lines, the lyrics establish a sense of injustice and helplessness, with the singer proclaiming his innocence and lamenting his situation. As the song progresses, he reflects on his past, his fears, and his hopes, with vivid imagery that adds to the eeriness of the music. The repeated refrain of "And the mercy seat is waiting" adds to the sense of inevitability and foreboding, with the singer both drawn to and repulsed by the prospect of a pardon.
The song's themes and lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, with some seeing it as a commentary on the American justice system, others as a spiritual work grappling with sin and salvation, and still others as a personal exploration of mortality and identity. Whatever the interpretation, "Mercy Seat" stands as one of Johnny Cash's most powerful and evocative recordings, showcasing his ability to imbue even the darkest subject matter with a sense of emotional depth and nuance.
Line by Line Meaning
It all began when they took me from my home
The singer was arrested and taken away from their home.
And put me on Death Row
The singer is on Death Row in prison.
A crime for which I'm totally innocent, you know
The singer claims their innocence.
I began to warm and chill
The artist experiences a range of different emotions.
To objects and their fields
The artist becomes more attuned to the environment around them.
A ragged cup, a twisted mop
The singer takes notice of ordinary objects in their cell.
The face of Jesus in my soup
The singer sees an image of Jesus in their food.
Those sinister dinner deals
The artist questions the source of their food.
The meal trolley's wicked wheels
The artist is distrustful of those who bring food to their cell.
A hooked bone rising from my food
The artist finds something strange in their food.
And all things either good or ungood
The singer sees everything as either good or bad.
And the mercy seat is waiting
The artist is waiting to be executed.
And I think my head is burning
The singer is feeling intense emotions.
And in a way I'm yearning
The singer wants the ordeal to be over.
To be done with all this weighing of the truth
The singer is tired of being judged and scrutinized.
An eye for an eye
The artist wants justice to be served.
And a tooth for a tooth
The artist wants those who wronged them to pay.
And, anyway, I told the truth
The singer maintains their innocence.
And I'm not afraid to die.
The singer is not afraid of facing the consequence of their supposed crimes.
I hear stories from the chamber
The artist hears tales from other Death Row inmates.
Christ was born into a manger
The artist recalls the story of Jesus' birth.
And like some ragged stranger
The artist feels disconnected from others.
He died upon the cross
The singer recalls the crucifixion of Jesus.
Might I say it seems so fitting in its way
The artist finds comfort in the religious symbol of the cross.
He was a carpenter by trade
The singer recalls that Jesus was a carpenter before he became a religious figure.
Or at least that's what I'm told
The singer is not entirely sure about the accuracy of their own knowledge.
My killed hands tattooed E.V.I.L.
The singer has tattoos that make them seem scary.
across it's brother's fist
The artist taunts their imaginary enemies.
That filthy five!
The artist is angry at someone, the 'filthy five.'
They did nothing to challenge or resist
The singer feels betrayed by those who did not speak up for them.
In Heaven His throne is made of gold
The singer's thoughts turn to religious imagery of a golden throne.
The ark of His Testament is stowed
The artist thinks of the religious 'Ark of the Covenant.'
A throne from which I'm told
The artist makes reference to the story of Judgement Day.
All history does unfold.
The artist realizes the importance of the stories we tell about ourselves.
It's made of wood and wire
The singer contrasts their previous image of a golden throne with the mundane reality.
And my body is on fire
The artist is struggling with intense emotions.
And God is never far away
The singer clings to their faith even in their darkest moments.
Into the mercy seat I climb
The singer approaches the moment of execution.
My head is shaved, my head is wired
The singer's appearance is altered for the execution.
And like a moth that tries
The artist feels drawn to the light, even if it means death.
To enter the bright eye
The artist approaches the moment of execution with a sense of curiosity.
I go shuffling out of life
The singer prepares to leave the mortal world behind.
Just to hide in death awhile
The singer is uncertain about what comes after death.
And, anyway, I never lied
The artist maintains their innocence to the end.
And the mercy seat is burning
The artist approaches the moment of execution with fear and trepidation.
And in a way I'm hoping
The artist is prepared to accept what comes next.
To be done with all this twistin' of the truth
The singer feels victimized by those who distorted the truth to convict them.
And, anyway, there was no proof
The artist believes that they were wrongfully convicted.
And I'm not afraid to die
The singer is resigned to their fate.
And the mercy seat is glowing
The singer is ready to face their fate with dignity and courage.
And I think my head is smokin'
The singer acknowledges their fear.
And in a way I'm hoping
The artist finds comfort in their beliefs.
To be done with all these looks of disbelief.
The artist is tired of being doubted and disbelieved.
A life for a life
The singer believes in the principle of justice.
And a truth for a truth
The singer wants the truth to be known.
And I've got nothing left to lose
The artist has accepted their fate.
And I'm not afraid to die
The artist is at peace with their situation.
And the mercy seat is smokin'
The artist is ready to face their punishment.
And I think my head is melting
The singer senses their death is imminent.
And in a way that's helping
The artist is at peace with their fate.
To be done with all this twistin' of the truth
The singer is frustrated with a justice system that has failed them.
And, anyway, I told the truth
The singer asserts their innocence one last time.
But I'm afraid I told a lie.
The singer is uncertain about the outcome of their trial.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Mute Song Limited
Written by: Nicholas Edward Cave, Mick Harvey
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