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.
was Jesus Start
Johnny Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a great multitude was gathered there without a thing to eat for days
Up stepped a little boy with the basket please take it Lord he said
And with just a five loaves and two little fishes five thousand had fish and bread
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) who was it everybody (it was Jesus)
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) it was Jesus Christ our Lord
Now pay close attention little children it's somebody you ought to know
It's all about a man that walked on earth nearly two thousand years ago
Then they nailed him on an old rugged cross and put thorns on his head
Who was it everybody...
Well they took him down and they buried him and after the third day
When they came to his tomb where they knew he was gone
'Cause the stone was rolled away
He's not here for he is risen the angel of the Lord then said
And when they saw him walking with these nail-scared hands
They knew he came back from the dead
Who was it everybody...
The song "It Was Jesus" by Johnny Cash is a gospel track that tells the story of the miracles performed by Jesus Christ. The lyrics are based on biblical events, specifically the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude of people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. According to the Holy Book, a man walked down by Galilee, where a great multitude had gathered without anything to eat for days. Up stepped a little boy with a basket of food, and he offered it to Jesus. With just five loaves and two fishes, Jesus was able to provide enough food to feed five thousand people.
Throughout the song, Cash emphasizes the significance of Jesus Christ and his role as the savior. He healed the sick and afflicted and even raised the dead. The lyrics also describe the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead. The song ends with a message of reverence and appreciation for Christ and the impact he had on the world.
Overall, "It Was Jesus" is a song that celebrates the miracles and divinity of Jesus Christ. It highlights the profound impact that he had on the lives of his followers and emphasizes the importance of his teachings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a man walked down by Galilee so the Holy Book does say
According to the Holy Book, a man was walking by Galilee.
And a great multitude was gathered there without a thing to eat for days
A large crowd had gathered and had been without food for several days.
Up stepped a little boy with the basket please take it Lord he said
Then, a little boy offered his basket of food to the Lord, saying 'please take it.'
And with just a five loaves and two little fishes five thousand had fish and bread
Jesus was able to feed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) who was it everybody (it was Jesus)
Everyone knows who this person is - it was Jesus.
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) it was Jesus Christ our Lord
This person is Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Now pay close attention little children it's somebody you ought to know
Children should pay attention to this story because it is important and involves someone they should know.
It's all about a man that walked on earth nearly two thousand years ago
This story is about a man who lived on Earth almost two thousand years ago.
Well he healed the sick and afflicted it and he raised 'em from the dead
This man was able to heal sick people and even bring the dead back to life.
Then they nailed him on an old rugged cross and put thorns on his head
Despite his ability to perform miracles, this man was crucified and tortured.
Well they took him down and they buried him and after the third day
After he died, his body was taken down and buried. On the third day...
When they came to his tomb where they knew he was gone
People went to visit his tomb, but they already knew he was gone.
'Cause the stone was rolled away
The stone that covered his tomb had been moved.
He's not here for he is risen the angel of the Lord then said
An angel of the Lord declared that Jesus had risen from the dead and was not in the tomb.
And when they saw him walking with these nail-scared hands
When they saw Jesus walking with scars on his hands from the crucifixion...
They knew he came back from the dead
...they knew that he had come back to life after being dead.
Who was it everybody...
Throughout the song, the answer to the question 'Who was it?' is always Jesus Christ.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY CASH
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