I've Been Everywhere
Johnny Cash & Lynn Anderson Lyrics


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I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas covered load
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride"
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land"

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla, I'm a killer

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee, Tennessee, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean?

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelaka
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert's bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been everywhere

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "I've Been Everywhere" aptly describe his life on the road as a traveling musician. The singer describes his experience of traveling along the dusty Winnemucca Road when a semi-truck driver offers him a ride to Winnemucca. The singer shares with the driver his extensive experience of traveling across the entire continent of America, visiting places like Reno, Chicago, Fargo, and many more. The song's fast-paced and rhythmic delivery captures the singer's excitement and enthusiasm towards his nomadic lifestyle. The lyrics reveal a sense of pride in the singer's travel experiences and a love for adventure-driven lifestyles.


Line by Line Meaning

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
I was carrying my backpack on the dirt road in Winnemucca


When along came a semi with a high an' canvas covered load
Then a big rig truck with a tall and covered load showed up


"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride"
"If you're heading to Winnemucca, Mack, you can ride with me"


And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
Thus I entered the cab and made myself comfortable


He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
He inquired if I had seen a road as dusty and sandy as this one


And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land"
And I replied, "Listen, I have explored every road in this country"


I've been everywhere, man
I have been everywhere


Crossed the desert's bare, man
I crossed the bare deserts


I've breathed the mountain air, man
I have breathed the fresh air of mountains


Of travel I've a-had my share, man
I have had my fair experience of travel


I've been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota
I have visited Reno, Chicago, Fargo, and Minnesota


Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota
I have toured Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, and Sarasota


Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma
I have explored Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, and Oklahoma


Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma
I have been to Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, and La Paloma


Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
I have visited Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, and Amarillo


Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla, I'm a killer
I have been to Tocopilla, Barranquilla, and Padilla, and I am an experienced traveler


I've been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana
I have traveled to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, and Louisiana


Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana
I have explored Washington, Houston, Kingston, and Texarkana


Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa
I have visited Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, and Tallapoosa


Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
I have been to Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, and Oskaloosa


Tennessee, Tennessee, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
I have explored Tennessee, Tennessee, Chicopee, and Spirit Lake


Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake
I have visited Grand Lake, Devil's Lake, and Crater Lake, for goodness sake


I've been to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika
I have been to Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, and Ombabika


Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
I have toured Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, and Costa Rica


Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport
I have explored Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, and Shreveport


Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport
I have visited Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, and Davenport


Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina
I have been to Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, and Diamantina


Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean?
I have toured Pasadena and Catalina, do you see what I mean?


I've been to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado
I have explored Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, and Colorado


Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, El Dorado
I have visited Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, and El Dorado


Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika
I have been to Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, and Chatanika


Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelaka
I have toured Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, and Opelaka


Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City
I have visited Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, and Kansas City


Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity
I have explored Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a shame




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Geoff Mack

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@nityarawal7598

12/7/2023

Mamma

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Was Crucified
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Says
Love Your
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Buddha Is
Clearly Having
Way More
Fun

Peace,
Nitya Nella Davigo Azam Moezzi Huntley Rawal



All comments from YouTube:

@clapolla

Lynn Anderson was a doll.

@patriot4786

This song really suites Johnny Cash❤

@ChadWalker-nu9dt

Lynn was smokin' hot. Both of these country icons are sorely missed.

@irishroverandthecrew

This the best version and duo. Love it. Wish Johnny was alive, I'd travel a thousand miles to see him !

@aaronthepuppeteer231

Same here! My Grandparents are the reason I listen to him!

@DANNYTOWNSEND

Even if Johnny IS reading from Cue Cards, getting all those Cities out without messing up is AWESOME!

@ernestrutherford8579

A black man who loves this song!!

@kakkianiun

This Eskimo love's this song too

@markmoody9519

What a performance.   No wonder Johnny Cash is the No.1 Artist in the 20th Century!  Turner, Maine USA

@Kf0-friend

That girl has a great voice

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