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 Can't Beat Jesus Christ
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He is the Father, Son and Mary is His mother
He is a 'scuse my slanguage
Well, a compound country kinda guy
(Yes, He is)
Ain't no way to get around it
You just can't beat Jesus Christ (No, you can't)
Well I used to crank and drank
Until my back was to the floor
I'd take it to the limit
Then I'd try to get some more
Yeah, when it came to gamblin'
Well, Lord I'd know how to roll them dice
(Yes, I would)
Ain't no two ways about it
I have been saved by Jesus Christ
Yes, I have
Even though I am a sinner
He will always be my friend
Well, He starts in the middle
And He does not have an end
And when my soul was held for ransom
Yeah, He is the one who paid the price
Ain't no reason to deny it
I owe it all to Jesus Christ
Yes I do, God bless you
The lyrics to Johnny Cash's song "You Can't Beat Jesus Christ" has a strong message of faith and redemption. The song highlights the power and greatness of Jesus Christ, who is seen as an all-encompassing figure of love, guidance, and salvation. The first verse reveals how Jesus was born to be a brother to everyone, and he is the Father, Son, and Mary, his mother. These lines depict his all-encompassing nature, that he is someone who is connected to every individual, who can offer guidance and love to everyone.
The next verse describes the singer's past struggles with drinking, gambling, and other vices. He talks about how he used to push himself to the extreme limits, but he found true salvation in Jesus Christ. He acknowledges himself as a sinner, but highlights how Jesus Christ is always there to offer friendship and support, to help him navigate through life's difficulties. The final verse signifies how Jesus paid the price for his sins and how he owes everything in his life to Jesus. The song has a powerful message of faith, where Jesus is the beacon of hope and redemption for those who seek it.
Line by Line Meaning
He was born to be known as everybody's brother
Jesus was born to be the brother of all humanity
He is the Father, Son and Mary is His mother
Jesus is both divine and human, the Son of God and the son of Mary
He is a 'scuse my slanguage
Well, a compound country kinda guy
Jesus is humble, approachable, and relatable to all people
(Yes, He is)
Ain't no way to get around it
You just can't beat Jesus Christ
(No, you can't)
Jesus is unbeatable and unparalleled in his greatness and goodness
Well I used to crank and drank
Until my back was to the floor
I'd take it to the limit
Then I'd try to get some more
The artist used to engage in self-destructive behavior, constantly seeking more but never finding satisfaction
Yeah, when it came to gamblin'
Well, Lord I'd know how to roll them dice
(Yes, I would)
Ain't no two ways about it
I have been saved by Jesus Christ
Yes, I have
The singer was once a gambler, but has since been saved by Jesus Christ
Even though I am a sinner
He will always be my friend
Well, He starts in the middle
And He does not have an end
Despite being a sinner, the singer trusts that Jesus will always be their friend and that his love has no limits
And when my soul was held for ransom
Yeah, He is the one who paid the price
Ain't no reason to deny it
I owe it all to Jesus Christ
Jesus paid the ultimate price to save the artist's soul, and the artist is grateful and owes everything to him
Yes I do, God bless you
The artist affirms their belief in Jesus and wishes God's blessings upon the listener
Lyrics © ME GUSTA MUSIC
Written by: BILLY JOE SHAVER
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