Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash and The Carter Family 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 to Johnny Cash & June Carter's "Folsom Prison Blues" illustrate a man who is trapped in Folsom Prison and longs for freedom. The repetitive phrase, "I hear the train a comin'," represents hope for the singer because it symbolizes the possibility of leaving prison and starting a new life. However, the train inevitably keeps moving, dragging time along with it. The singer reflects on his past and the choices that led him to prison, including his mother's warning about playing with guns. He acknowledges his wrongdoing, having shot a man in Reno just to watch him die, and feels remorse when he hears the whistle blowing. The idea of rich folks eating in a fancy dining car while he is stuck in prison torments him, making him wish he had made different choices.
Through these lyrics, Johnny Cash provides insight into the struggles and emotions experienced by prisoners. He shows that while some may be guilty of their crimes, they still have the capacity for remorse and a desire for redemption. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a sense of melancholy, as the singer remains in his prison cell, dreaming of a life beyond its walls.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin'
I can hear the sound of a train approaching
It's rollin' 'round the bend
The train is moving around a curve or bend in the track
And I ain't seen the sunshine
I haven't seen the sun or been outside
Since, I don't know when
I can't remember the last time I saw the sunshine
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I'm currently incarcerated in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Time seems to pass very slowly in prison
But that train keeps a-rollin'
Despite being in prison, life outside of the prison continues to move forward
On down to San Antone
The train is headed towards San Antonio, Texas
When I was just a baby
When I was very young
My Mama told me, 'Son
My mother advised me
Always be a good boy
To always be well-behaved
Don't ever play with guns
To never play with firearms
But I shot a man in Reno
Despite my mother's advice, I killed someone in Reno, Nevada
Just to watch him die
I did it for no reason other than to see the man die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
The sound of a train whistle reminds me of my crime
I hang my head and cry
I feel sadness and remorse for what I've done
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I imagine wealthy people eating
In a fancy dining car
In a luxurious train car designated for dining
They're probably drinkin' coffee
The wealthy people are likely drinking coffee
And smokin' big cigars
And smoking large cigars
But I know I had it comin'
I acknowledge that I deserved to be punished for my crime
I know I can't be free
I understand that I cannot escape the consequences of my actions
But those people keep a-movin'
Despite my situation, life outside of prison continues
And that's what tortures me
The thought of not being able to participate in life outside of prison is painful
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If I were released from prison
If that railroad train was mine
If the train were mine to control
I bet I'd move out over a little
I'd likely move away from my current location
Farther down the line
Along the train tracks, further away from Folsom Prison
Far from Folsom Prison
As far away from Folsom Prison as possible
That's where I want to stay
I'd like to stay far away from Folsom Prison
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
I'd listen to the train whistle
Blow my blues away
And it would help me forget my troubles
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
🤚🏻