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.
We'll Meet Again
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know
We'll meet again
Some sunny day
Keep smilin' throughJust like you
Always do
'Til the blue skies drive
The dark clouds
Far away
And will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell 'em that I won't be long
And they'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know
We'll meet again
Some sunny day
Yeah we'll meet again
I don't know where
And I don't know when
But I do know
That we'll meet again
Some sunny day
So Honey
Keep on smilin' through
Just like you always do
'Til the blue skies
Drive the dark clouds
Far away
And would you please say hello
To all the folks that I know
And tell 'em I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know
We'll meet again
Some sunny day
The lyrics of "We'll Meet Again" by Johnny Cash speak about a hopeful reunion between the singer and someone else, perhaps after a separation. The song conveys an air of optimism, despite the uncertainty of when and where they will meet again. The first verse establishes the uncertainty of the future, but the singer remains assured that they will meet again, stating, "But I know/ We'll meet again/ Some sunny day." The second verse calls for the recipient of the message to maintain their composure during the separation, advising them to "Keep smilin' through/ Just like you/ Always do/ 'Til the blue skies drive/ The dark clouds/ Far away."
In the final verse, the singer asks the recipient to pass on a message to others, letting them know that they won't be gone for long, and it ends with a repeat of the chorus. The song is a message of reassurance for people who are separated from their loved ones, and it has a universal appeal, regardless of who the separation is between. It is a message of optimism and hope in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll meet again
We might be separated now, but I have a strong feeling that we'll meet again in the future.
Don't know where
I don't know the precise place or location where we will meet again.
Don't know when
I don't know the exact moment in time when we will cross paths again.
But I know
However, I am confident that it will happen.
We'll meet again
We will definitely see each other again.
Some sunny day
Perhaps it will be on a pleasant and bright day filled with warmth, light, and joy.
Keep smilin' through
Even if times are tough and dark, try to keep a positive attitude and smile through the adversity.
Just like you
You have always been strong and optimistic, so keep doing what you're doing.
Always do
You have a habit of persevering through hardships and remaining cheerful, so continue doing that.
'Til the blue skies drive
Until the clear skies push away
The dark clouds
The gloom and negativity
Far away
To a distance where it doesn't affect us anymore
And will you please say hello
Could you kindly greet
To the folks that I know
To the people I am acquainted with
Tell 'em that I won't be long
Inform them that I will not be away for too much longer
And they'll be happy to know
This will please them, to realize
That as you saw me go
That when you watched me leave
I was singing this song
I was humming or singing this melody
Yeah we'll meet again
We will definitely see each other again.
I don't know where
I have no clue about the specific location
And I don't know when
Neither am I certain about the exact time
But I do know
However, I am sure
That we'll meet again
That we will see each other one more time
Some sunny day
Perhaps on a happy and radiant day
So Honey
My dear or beloved one
Keep on smilin' through
Please maintain your optimistic outlook despite the hardships you face.
Just like you always do
You're already doing a great job with your optimism and cheerfulness, so keep it up.
And would you please say hello
Can I please request that you greet
To all the folks that I know
To all the people that I am familiar with
And tell 'em I won't be long
Inform them that I won't be away for too much longer
They'll be happy to know
This will please them, to realize
That as you saw me go
That when you watched me leave
I was singing this song
I was humming or singing this melody
We'll meet again
We will definitely see each other again.
Don't know where
I don't know the precise place or location where we will meet again.
Don't know when
I don't know the exact moment in time when we will cross paths again.
But I know
However, I am confident that it will happen.
We'll meet again
We will definitely see each other again.
Some sunny day
Perhaps it will be on a pleasant and bright day filled with warmth, light, and joy.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hughie Charles, Ross Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AngelEmir
This is the last song of the last album he ever recorded, is like a goodbye from him, we'll meet again Johnny.
@camerakitty8167
Sometimes, a man just knows
@mixmaster9579
No, it was "Aloha Oe" but close.
@rcblues
I've always felt the same
@stoneflags2467
On google it says that the last song that he ever made was "ain’t no grave”
@Taylasto
Stone Flags It was hurt I believe
@azalia1962
When my beloved husband was taking his last breath I played this song and I saw a big tear in his eye - if he could say anything he would say exactly the same words. Thank you, Johnny.
@miszajansen
I'm sorry for your loss, but what a way to go. The best of luck to you :)
@birdyduck4893
Ladybug He had a big tear, beacause he probably understood he will not see you again before many years...but sure it wasn’t a « goodbye » tear...just a « see you later » tear. My heart is with you and your husband and i wish you an eternity of sunny day from France :)
@pops4898
That's so beautiful.