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 Night Hank Williams Came To Town
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A coke and burger cost you thirty cents
I was still in love with Mavis Brown
On the night Hank Williams came to town
I Love Lucy debuted on TV
That was one big event we didn't see
'Cause no one stayed at home for miles around
Mama ironed my shirt and daddy let me take the truck
I drove on out to Grapevine and picked old Mavis up
We hit that county line for one quick round
On the night Hank Williams came to town
A thousand people sweltered in the gym
Then I heard someone whisper hey, that's him
That's when the crowd let out this deafening sound
It was the night Hank Williams came to town
On and on he sang into the night
'Jambalaya', 'Cheatin' heart', I saw the light
How'd they get Miss Audrey in that gown
On the night Hank Williams came to town
Mavis had her picture made with Hank outside his car
She said he sure is humble for a Grand Old Opry Star
Mavis said why don't we hang around
It ain't often that Hank Williams comes to town
While Hank signed his autograph on Beaulah Rice's fan
Mavis got acquainted with the Driftin' Cowboys Band
The effect on all our lives was quite profound
On the night Hank Williams came to town
The Night Hank Williams Came to Town is a song by Johnny Cash that reminisces about the night that Hank Williams played in Cash's hometown. The lyrics reference significant events of the time, such as the presidency of Harry Truman, the debut of the show I Love Lucy, and the cost of a coke and burger, providing a nostalgic backdrop to the story. The song tells the story of the singer, who is still in love with Mavis Brown and who, with the help of his parents, picks her up and drives to the venue where Hank Williams is performing. As the night unfolds, they witness Hank Williams performing classics like Jambalaya and Cheatin' Heart, and they meet the man himself. As the song ends, Mavis suggests they hang around, since it isn't often that Hank Williams comes to town.
The lyrics of The Night Hank Williams Came to Town evoke a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality, reminiscent of the 1950s era. The lyrics capture the excitement of a small town, where an event like Hank Williams coming to perform is a significant, life-altering moment. The story is romanticized and reflects the idealized image of Hank Williams as a humble country star who made a profound impact on the lives of the people he touched. The song provides a glimpse into the simplicity and wholesomeness of a time gone by.
Line by Line Meaning
Harry Truman was our president
This song takes place in a time when Harry Truman was the President of the United States.
A coke and burger cost you thirty cents
Back in those days, you could get a coke and burger for only thirty cents.
I was still in love with Mavis Brown
The singer of the song was still in love with a woman named Mavis Brown.
On the night Hank Williams came to town
This song is about the night that Hank Williams arrived in town.
I Love Lucy debuted on TV
The TV show I Love Lucy premiered on the same day, but the people in the town didn't watch it because they were too busy going to Hank Williams' concert.
That was one big event we didn't see
The singer is stating that while I Love Lucy was a big event, it was not as big as Hank Williams' concert.
'Cause no one stayed at home for miles around
Everyone in the surrounding area went to Hank Williams' concert, so there was no one left at home.
Mama ironed my shirt and daddy let me take the truck
The artist's parents helped him get ready to go on a date with Mavis Brown.
I drove on out to Grapevine and picked old Mavis up
The artist went to Mavis' house in Grapevine to pick her up for their date.
We hit that county line for one quick round
The artist and Mavis went driving around for a bit before the concert, driving across the county line.
A thousand people sweltered in the gym
The concert venue was a gym where a thousand people packed in to see Hank Williams perform in the heat.
Then I heard someone whisper hey, that's him
The artist heard someone in the crowd point out Hank Williams as he entered the gym.
That's when the crowd let out this deafening sound
The crowd was so excited to see Hank Williams that they cheered loudly when he appeared.
On and on he sang into the night
Hank Williams performed late into the night, singing one song after another.
'Jambalaya', 'Cheatin' heart', I saw the light
Hank Williams sang a few of his famous songs, like Jambalaya and Cheatin' Heart, which impressed the singer.
How'd they get Miss Audrey in that gown
The artist observed Miss Audrey, someone associated with Hank Williams, wearing an impressive gown.
Mavis had her picture made with Hank outside his car
Mavis got to meet Hank Williams and even took a picture with him outside of his car.
She said he sure is humble for a Grand Old Opry Star
Mavis Brown thought that Hank Williams was very humble despite being such a famous musician.
Mavis said why don't we hang around
Mavis wanted to stay a bit longer after the concert, possibly to meet other band members or see if Hank Williams would come out again.
It ain't often that Hank Williams comes to town
The artist remarks that it is rare for someone like Hank Williams to come to their small town.
While Hank signed his autograph on Beaulah Rice's fan
Hank Williams signed autographs for his fans, including Beaulah Rice.
Mavis got acquainted with the Driftin' Cowboys Band
Mavis Brown also met some of the other musicians who played with Hank Williams, the Driftin' Cowboys Band.
The effect on all our lives was quite profound
This night had a big impact on all of their lives, as they got to see one of the most famous musicians of their time and even meet him and his band.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY BRADDOCK, CHARLIE WILLIAMS
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