Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash Willie Nelson 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 lyrics for Johnny Cash Willie Nelson's "Folsom Prison Blues" paint a vivid picture of the singer's despair and longing for freedom. The song begins with the sound of a train, which serves as a reminder of the outside world that the singer is unable to reach. He hasn't seen the sunshine in so long that he can't remember when, and he's stuck in the Folsom Prison, where time seems to pass agonizingly slow. However, the train keeps moving, taking passengers to San Antone and reminding the singer of all the places he can't go.
The second verse reveals the reason behind the singer's imprisonment: he shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die. The act was a misguided attempt at rebelling against his mother's wishes for him to be a good boy. Now, whenever he hears the train whistle, he hangs his head and cries, unable to escape the guilt that haunts him.
The final verse is a lament for the life that the singer could have had if he hadn't ended up in prison. He knows that there are rich people on the train, living lavish lives and enjoying their freedom, but he also knows that he had it coming and can't be free. All he can do is watch helplessly as the train moves on without him, dreaming of the day when he can leave the prison behind and let the "lonesome whistle blow my Blues away."
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin'
The sound of the approaching train is audible to me.
It's rollin' 'round the bend,
The train is maneuvering the curvy tracks.
And I ain't seen the sunshine, Since, I don't know when,
It has been so long since I have enjoyed the warmth of the sun, that I cannot determine exactly when it was.
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison, And time keeps draggin' on,
I am incarcerated in Folsom prison, and time seems to slow down while I am here.
But that train keeps a-rollin', On down to San Antone.
However, the train continues on its journey south to San Antonio without me.
When I was just a baby, My Mama told me, "Son, Always be a good boy, Don't ever play with guns,"
As a child, my mother urged me to behave and not engage with firearms.
But I shot a man in Reno, Just to watch him die,
Despite my mother's advice, I killed a man in Reno purely for the purpose of observing his demise.
When I hear that whistle blowin', I hang my head and cry.
The sound of the train whistle causes me great emotional pain and I am reduced to tears.
I bet there's rich folks eatin', In a fancy dining car, They're probably drinkin' coffee, And smokin' big cigars,
I imagine that wealthy individuals are dining luxuriously in the private dining car, enjoying coffee and 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.
I am aware that I committed a crime and deserve to be imprisoned, yet the fact that others are free and moving on with their lives torments 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,
If I were released from prison and could commandeer the train, I would leave this area and travel farther away.
Far from Folsom Prison, That's where I want to stay, And I'd let that lonesome whistle, Blow my Blues away.
My desire is to go as far as possible from Folsom Prison and live there permanently, and the sound of the train whistle would provide relief from my sorrows.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Johnny Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@greysparrow68
Two great buddies. Two great musicians. And they're having so much fun. What a great musical moment.
@kassemir
Willie's spanish guitar and Johnny's western guitar sound really good together. Awsome performance, so simple, but so powerful, brilliant!
@pol1250
Johnny's voice is one of billions!!
@AndyBRGN
Well said, man. There's too many soulless musicians out there. I just wish my generation could see it, and start listen to the real music. RIP Johnny Cash.
@gilbertohlson6363
A rare treat, Willie and Johnny together on stage.
@kidddogbites
Johnny's voice is great and Willie's guitar sounds like no other.
@19712057
I am glad somebody gives him credit. I am heavy metal, but this guy is AMAZING!
@berkeleyhome
the reverence of the crowd says it all about these two guys...legends
@gnsvitek
This must've been something to see live. Two legends.
@snarfinigus
Two icons. I don't care what music you love, this kind of music anyone will love. The fans start out clapping, but end up enthralled (as in charmed, captivated, and spellbound). Witness real American music.