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.
You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I held my breath and watched the western sunsets golden hue
I've flown above the mountain peaks and valleys wide and green
But you're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
You're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
I have searched for happiness so long and far
But my search for love was through the day that I found you
I confess that I've been tempted by a luring magic charms
When the smile was flashed my way and stood before two open arms
But I turned and walked away because I love you like I do
You're the nearest thing to heaven darlin' you
You're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
I have searched for happiness so long and far
But my search for love was through the day that I found you
'Cause you're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
I have watched the silver raindrops fall to earth to cool the day
Watched the rainbow at twilight when the clouds had blown away
I love the pretty flowers but they cannot buy the worth
'Cause you're the nearest thing to heaven on this earth
You're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
I have searched for happiness so long and far
But my search for love was through the day that I found you
'Cause you're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
The lyrics to Johnny Cash’s song “You’re the Nearest Thing to Heaven” express his immense appreciation for the woman he loves. The song conveys that Johnny has traveled far and wide around the world, witnessing all the wonders it has, yet none of them are as significant or meaningful as the love he has found in his partner. Johnny acknowledges that he has been tempted in the past by “luring magic charms'' yet his love for his partner keeps him grounded and devoted. He highlights that his happiness and search for love was complete when he found her- she is, in fact, the nearest thing to heaven he has found. His love for her is pure, and she is the most valuable thing in the world to him.
The lyrics of the song paint vivid and elaborate images of Johnny's travels and observations, emphasizing his love for nature in all its forms. He mentions the golden sunset, the mountain peaks, the valleys, the silver raindrops, and the rainbow at twilight. He admires each of these natural wonders but puts forth that despite the beauty of these things, she remains the nearest thing to heaven for him. The theme of love and nature in the song underscores the idea that some things are irreplaceable, even with remarkable landscapes, and the value of love is unique and unmatched.
Line by Line Meaning
I have sailed the peaceful waters of the ocean deep and blue
I have traveled far and wide, exploring the calm and tranquil seas of the world.
I held my breath and watched the western sunsets golden hue
I have witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the sun setting in the west, and was left in awe of its golden glow.
I've flown above the mountain peaks and valleys wide and green
I have soared high above towering mountain peaks and vast valleys, soaking in their lush and vibrant greenery.
But you're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen
Despite all the wondrous sights I have seen, nothing compares to being in your presence – you are truly the closest thing to heaven.
I confess that I've been tempted by a luring magic charms
I must admit that I have been enticed by the allure of magic and charms.
When the smile was flashed my way and stood before two open arms
When someone smiled at me and opened their arms, inviting me in.
But I turned and walked away because I love you like I do
However, I made the choice to walk away, as my love and devotion for you is unwavering and true.
You're the nearest thing to heaven darlin' you
My love, you truly are the closest thing to heaven.
I have watched the silver raindrops fall to earth to cool the day
I have witnessed the gentle cascade of raindrops, falling from the sky to offer respite from the heat of the day.
Watched the rainbow at twilight when the clouds had blown away
I marveled at the colorful rainbow that appeared at twilight, as the clouds that obscured it cleared away.
I love the pretty flowers but they cannot buy the worth
Although I appreciate the beauty of flowers, they can never compare to the value and worth you bring to my life.
'Cause you're the nearest thing to heaven on this earth
For you, my beloved, are the closest thing to heaven that can possibly exist on this earth.
I have searched for happiness so long and far
I have scoured the earth in search of happiness, far and wide.
But my search for love was through the day that I found you
However, the moment I found you, my search for true love was over – for you are the embodiment of that which I had been seeking.
'Cause you're the nearest thing to heaven yes you are
Indeed, my sweet love, you are the closest thing to heaven that can ever exist.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHNNY CASH, HOYT JOHNSON, CHET ATKINS
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