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.
What Is Truth
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said, "Where did all of the old songs go
Kids sure play funny music these days
They play it in the strangest ways"
Said, "it looks to me like they've all gone wild
It was peaceful back when I was a child"
Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
A little boy of three sittin' on the floor
Looks up and says, "Daddy, what is war?"
"son, that's when people fight and die"
The little boy of three says "Daddy, why?"
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school
Being taught the golden rule
And by the time another year has gone around
It may be his turn to lay his life down
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking
"What is truth?"
A young man sittin' on the witness stand
The man with the book says "Raise your hand"
"Repeat after me, I solemnly swear"
The man looked down at his long hair
And although the young man solemnly swore
Nobody seems to hear anymore
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair
And the lonely voice of youth cries
"What is truth?"
The young girl dancing to the latest beat
Has found new ways to move her feet
The young man speaking in the city square
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
This old world's wakin' to a new born day
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
You better help the voice of youth find
"What is truth/"
The song "What Is Truth" by Johnny Cash is a commentary on the generation gap that existed in the 1960s. The elderly man in the song is lamenting the fact that he doesn't understand the music that young people are listening to these days. He remembers a time when things were more peaceful and life seemed simpler. However, he fails to realize that it's not the music that has changed, but the world around him. Young people are listening to music that speaks to them and their experiences, and it's not always going to be the same as what the older generation is used to.
The song also touches upon the theme of war and the loss of innocence. The little boy who asks his father about war is too young to understand its complexities and the reasons why people fight and die. The young man who is being taught the golden rule in Sunday school is about to be sent off to fight in a war himself. The song asks the question of whether it's fair to send young people off to fight and die without fully understanding the reasons behind the conflict.
At its core, "What Is Truth" is a plea for understanding and empathy between the generations. The young people who are "wild" today will be the leaders of tomorrow, and it's up to the older generation to help them find their way. The song suggests that if the two generations can work together and try to understand each other, they can create a better world for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
The old man turned off the radio
The elder man shut the radio off to express a sense of disappointment towards contemporary music.
Said, "Where did all of the old songs go
He questioned the whereabouts of the classic melodies he used to hear.
Kids sure play funny music these days
The kids of today produce peculiar music.
They play it in the strangest ways"
The old man perceives that the young play music in a bizarre manner.
Said, "it looks to me like they've all gone wild
He believes that they have become unrestrained and chaotic.
It was peaceful back when I was a child"
He remembers that the past time was more serene and quiet.
Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys
The singer asks the elder man whether he thinks the young individuals are attempting to express themselves.
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
He suggests that the old generation might be too loud and thus make it hard for the young to be heard.
And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?"
The young feel isolated and seek the true meaning of their actions and the world around them.
A little boy of three sittin' on the floor
A toddler of three sits on the floor.
Looks up and says, "Daddy, what is war?"
The three-year-old queries his father about the meaning of war.
"son, that's when people fight and die"
The father answers that it is a situation in which people struggle and pass away.
The little boy of three says "Daddy, why?"
The toddler asks his father the cause behind people killing each other.
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school
A teen of seventeen is attending Sunday school.
Being taught the golden rule
He is learning the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated.
And by the time another year has gone around
One year later...
It may be his turn to lay his life down
He could find himself in the position to die for his country.
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking
The singer questions whether it is reasonable for the young generation to be inquisitive.
"What is truth?"
The youth similarly desire to know the factual meaning of their existence.
A young man sittin' on the witness stand
A young adult sits on the witness stand.
The man with the book says "Raise your hand"
The individual with the book invites the witness to raise his hand and take the oath.
"Repeat after me, I solemnly swear"
The witness is encouraged to repeat the oath officially.
The man looked down at his long hair
The younger man gazes at his long locks.
And although the young man solemnly swore
Despite the young man's serious vow...
Nobody seems to hear anymore
People seem to pay little attention to or ignore what he says.
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there
Whether or not the truth exists or is spoken of becomes irrelevant.
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair
His physical appearance, such as his hair's length and the cut of his clothes, becomes more significant than his speech in society's eyes.
And the lonely voice of youth cries
The young feel alone in their struggle to be heard.
"What is truth?"
Similar to earlier lines, they ask what the truth represents.
The young girl dancing to the latest beat
A young girl dances to the newest tune.
Has found new ways to move her feet
She discovers novel ways to dance.
The young man speaking in the city square
A young man voices his opinion in the city's center.
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares
He is attempting to communicate his concern for others to someone.
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild
The people the old man referred to as crazy...
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
...will soon become the leaders and decision-makers.
This old world's wakin' to a new born day
The world is waking up to witness a new era.
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
The singer expresses certainty that the younger generation will change the world in their way.
You better help the voice of youth find
The singer requests the elders to help the young discover the answer...
"What is truth/"
...to their inquiry about the truth of their time and existence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Slyguy threeonetwonine
What a timeless song for all the sad reasons.
I grew up listening to this song. I love old music, specifically Country and Western for the stories, like this song.
For my entire life of listening to this song, I've been the youth, searching for truth. Well, given enough time, that I have been fortunate to have, I'm slowly becoming the ones the song is aimed at. It's very strange, sad, and painful. You younger ones, Lord willing, will have the same experience if you stick with this song.
I know some folks my age hate you kids, and I know some of you kids hate me for my 32 years, but it isn't everyone. Some of us old foges remember being young, remember this song from that perspective, and we are trying. We are, I swear. But you have to understand how very different things can become, and how Earth shattering that can feel to look around and not recognize anything. It hurts. It hurts because we are scared we did something wrong to make things seem not good. We are scared because even if we knew, we didn't have any power to stop it.
And what is sad is, it's going to happen to you kids too. One day, not very long from now, you'll wake up and be me. You'll look around at the world and silently scream What have we done? I'm afraid that is just the sad, cruel dynamics of time. I wish there is something I could do to help lessen the blow. But all I can recommend is listening to this song.
Femto
letra
O Que É a Verdade?
O velho desligou o rádio
Disse: Onde foram todas as músicas antigas
As crianças certamente tocam música engraçada nos dias de hoje
Eles tocam da maneira mais estranha
Disse: Parece-me que todos eles se tornaram selvagens
Era pacífico quando eu era uma criança
Bem, homem, pode ser que as meninas e meninos
Estão tentando ser ouvidos acima do barulho?
E a voz solitária da juventude grita: O que é a verdade?
Um menino de três anos sentado no chão
Olha e diz: Papai, o que é guerra?
Filho, é quando as pessoas lutam e morrem
O menino de três diz: Papai, por quê?
Um jovem de 17 na escola dominical
Sendo ensinado a regra de ouro
E pelo tempo que outro ano se espalhou
Pode ser a sua vez de colocar sua vida para baixo
Você pode culpar a voz da juventude por perguntar: O que é a verdade?
Um jovem sentado no banco das testemunhas
O homem com o livro diz: Levante a mão
Repita comigo, eu juro solenemente
O homem olhou para o seu cabelo comprido
E, embora o jovem tenha jurado solenemente
Ninguém parece ouvir mais
E isso realmente não importa se a verdade estava lá
Foi o corte de suas roupas e o comprimento de seu cabelo
E a voz solitária da juventude grita: O que é a verdade?
A jovem garota dançando sua última batida
Encontrou novas maneiras de mover os pés
O jovem falando na praça da cidade
Está tentando dizer a alguém que ele se importa
Sim, os que vocês estão chamando de selvagem
Vão ser os líderes daqui a pouco
Este velho mundo está despertando para um dia recém-nascido
E juro solenemente que será o seu jeito
É melhor ajudar a voz da juventude a encontrar: O que é a verdade?
POESÍA SALVAXE
The old man turned off the radio
Said: Where did all of the old songs go
Kids sure play funny music these days
They play it in the strangest ways
Said: it looks to me like they've all gone wild
It was peaceful back when I was a child
Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
And the lonely voice of youth cries: What is truth?
A little boy of three sittin' on the floor
Looks up and says: Daddy, what is war?
Son, that's when people fight and die
The little boy of three says: Daddy, why?
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school
Being taught the golden rule
And by the time another year has gone around
It may be his turn to lay his life down
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking: What is truth?
A young man sittin' on the witness stand
The man with the book says "Raise your hand"
"Repeat after me, I solemnly swear"
The man looked down at his long hair
And although the young man solemnly swore
Nobody seems to hear anymore
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair
And the lonely voice of youth cries: What is truth?
The young girl dancing to the latest beat
Has found new ways to move her feet
The young man speaking in the city square
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
This old world's wakin' to a new born day
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
You better help the voice of youth find: What is truth?
laserluver1
You don't have to be a country music fan to love Johnny Cash
Justin
Amen to that
Jimmy Olsen
Many of his songs were played on rock and roll stations Johnny Cash an American icon
Drew Shave
He got me into Country though over 25 years ago now! He would sing and play with just about anybody he respected regardless of genre! Great man!
Mr KOY
I know so many people who hate country but when I play Johnny they listen
Muffs 55mercury
@Jimmy Olsen Yes this was one of 15 of his songs that crossed over to pop. This reached #19 on pop and I remember it well.
Cicero
This song is as powerful today as it was in 1970. Only Johnny Cash could give it its strength.
Sharon Jensen
We're still asking: "What is truth?" because it's hard to separate truth from lies in this modern world.
Komotau4691
@Sharon Jensen Exactly.
Jerome Taperman
He lost a few fans over it but it made me respect him more.