Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash (Live in Folsom prison 1968) Lyrics
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It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
The song "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash is a classic country song that tells the story of a man who is stuck in Folsom Prison, watching the outside world go by from his window as a train passes. The lyrics open with Cash hearing the sound of the train as it rounds the bend, reminding him of his confinement. He hasn't seen sunshine for a long time and is frustrated with the monotony of life in the prison. However, the train continues on its journey to San Antone, giving him a glimpse of the world beyond his prison walls.
The second stanza reveals how he ended up in prison; he shot a man in Reno just to see him die. This line is one of the most famous in the song, and it highlights the outlaw persona that Cash embodied. He hung his head and cried when he heard the whistle blow, haunted by the memory of his crime.
In the final stanza, Cash imagines a world where he is free from prison and can live his life without worrying about the law. He dreams of owning a railroad train and moving away from Folsom Prison, far from his troubled past. The final lines where he says "And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away" highlight his desire to start a new life and forget all his mistakes. Overall, it is a song that tells a story of regret, longing, and the desire for redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin'
Johnny Cash hears the train coming to Folsom Prison.
It's rollin' 'round the bend
The train is coming around a bend in the tracks near Folsom Prison.
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
Johnny Cash hasn't seen the sunshine in so long that he can't remember when.
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Johnny Cash is stuck in Folsom Prison and time feels like it's moving slowly.
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
The train keeps moving along the tracks, heading to San Antonio, while Johnny Cash is stuck in prison.
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns
Johnny Cash remembers his Mama telling him to be a good person and never play with guns when he was younger.
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
Johnny Cash intentionally shot a man in Reno and didn't feel remorse about it.
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
When Johnny Cash hears the train whistle, it reminds him of his actions that lead to him being in prison, and he feels emotional about it.
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
Johnny Cash thinks that wealthy people are on the train, enjoying luxuries like fancy dining cars, coffee, and cigars while he is stuck in prison.
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
Johnny Cash acknowledges that he deserved to be in prison and has no hope of being released.
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
The train passengers keep moving forward, while Johnny Cash is stuck in prison, which causes him pain and suffering.
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther down the line
If Johnny Cash was freed from prison and had control over the train, he would move away from Folsom Prison to a different place on the tracks.
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away
Johnny Cash wants to be far away from Folsom Prison and hopes that the train whistle can alleviate his sadness and pain.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHNNY CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LebSista
I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since
I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me
"Son, always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry
🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin'
And that's what tortures me
🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶
Well if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
@DirkDraussen
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' 'round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine
Since, I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin'
On down to San Antone
When I was just a baby
My Mama told me, "Son
Always be a good boy
Don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
In a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin'
And that's what tortures me
If they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move out over a little
Farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
Blow my blues away.
So Great!
@speakeroftruth5739
"Hello i'm Johnny Cash" I never heard of a more iconic line
@blacksmith093
Facts
@ethanlewis5993
Gives me chills every damn time
@pfoster1666
A couple of days ago I saw a guy with a black T-shirt with a large picture of John, which said in fancy letters "Johnny Cash / The Man in Black". My first thought would be "John would not approve."
@brucereimers8095
He speaks the truth
@natecalhoun4427
"Let me introduce Led Zeppelin to you" is a close second imo
@gregodonnell1570
Still hits hard in 2023,
great music is timeless.
@vee2739
literally this song has been stuck in my head for like 10 years and I'm only 24 😂
@juantrejo2277
Yes sir
@BasedBosniak
🤚🏻