Folsom Prison Blues
KITCHEN - Johnny Cash 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 dinin' car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
And smokin' big cigars
Well, 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 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
In Johnny Cash's song "Folsom Prison Blues," the singer paints a vivid picture of his life in Folsom Prison and his longing for freedom. The lyrics begin with the sound of a train approaching, symbolizing hope and escape. The train represents a world beyond the prison walls, a world where the sunshine shines and freedom exists. The singer reveals that he hasn't seen the sunshine in a long time, indicating his prolonged incarceration and isolation.
The lyrics also reveal the reason for his imprisonment - he shot a man in Reno. The line "just to watch him die" emphasizes the singer's remorse and regret for his actions. The mention of his mother's advice about not playing with guns implies a sense of self-destructiveness and rebellion that eventually led him down a destructive path.
The second paragraph addresses the stark contrast between the singer's current situation and the lives of the wealthy. The image of rich folks eating in a fancy dining car, enjoying coffee and smoking cigars, represents a life of luxury and privilege that the singer knows he can never attain. He acknowledges that he had it coming, accepting responsibility for his actions, but it is the constant movement and progress of the outside world that torments him. While the wealthy people move forward with their lives, he remains trapped in his prison, unable to escape his past.
The final paragraph expresses the singer's longing for freedom and his desire to leave Folsom Prison behind. He fantasizes about being freed from the confines of the prison and having control over a railroad train. Moving the train down the line symbolizes his desire to leave his past behind and start fresh somewhere else. The repetition of "Far from Folsom Prison" reinforces his yearning to escape, while the lonesome whistle blowing symbolizes the release of his sorrows and troubles. The singer hopes that by being free, he can overcome his blues and find a better life for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a-comin'
I sense the approaching change or opportunity
It's rollin' 'round the bend
It's on its way, getting closer
And I ain't seen the sunshine
And I haven't experienced happiness
Since, I don't know when
For an unknown period of time
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I am trapped in a place of confinement and regret
And time keeps draggin' on
And time continues to feel slow and burdensome
But that train keeps a-rollin'
But that opportunity keeps progressing
On down to San Antone
Further towards a desired destination
When I was just a baby
At a young age
My Mama told me, 'son
My mother advised me, 'my child
Always be a good boy
Always behave well and do the right things
Don't ever play with guns'
Never engage in dangerous activities involving firearms
But I shot a man in Reno
But I intentionally killed someone in Reno
Just to watch him die
Only to observe his life come to an end
When I hear that whistle blowin'
When I listen to that sound of warning or change
I hang my head and cry
I feel deep sorrow and remorse
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I am confident that wealthy individuals are enjoying a meal
In a fancy dinin' car
Inside an extravagant dining compartment
They're probably drinkin' coffee
They are likely consuming coffee
And smokin' big cigars
And indulging in large cigars
Well, I know I had it comin'
Well, I am aware that I deserved my fate
I know I can't be free
I know I cannot attain freedom
But those people keep a-movin'
But those individuals continue to progress forward
And that's what tortures me
And that's what deeply troubles me
Well, if they freed me from this prison
Well, if they released me from this place of confinement
If that railroad train was mine
If I had control over that train
I bet I'd move it on a little
I am confident that I would advance it slightly
Farther down the line
To a greater distance along the track
Far from Folsom Prison
Distant from the confines of Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
That's where I desire to remain
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
And I would allow that melancholic sound
Blow my blues away
To alleviate and dispel my sadness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnny R. 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
🤚🏻