Folsom Prison Blues
Willie Nelson;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
The song Folsom Prison Blues is a classic country song that tells the story of a man locked up in Folsom prison, feeling trapped and isolated from the outside world. The first verse sets the scene of the song, with the singer hearing the train coming and feeling a longing to be free from the monotony of prison life. In the second verse, he reflects on his past, recalling the warning his mother gave him about playing with guns and admitting to shooting a man in Reno just for the thrill of it. The chorus of the song centers around the train, and the singer's desire to be free like it, to "move a little farther down the line." He expresses jealousy of the rich people on that train, who are able to enjoy luxurious meals and cigars while he is stuck in his cell. Despite this jealousy, however, he knows he deserves to be in prison for the crime he committed.
The final verse of the song is a yearning for freedom, with the singer dreaming of being able to run the train himself and move it on to new adventures far from Folsom prison. He acknowledges that he has no chance of being released, but the hope remains alive for him- and the song ends on a hopeful note, with the "lonesome whistle" blowing his blues away. This song is a classic country ballad that speaks to the yearning of people for freedom, and the cycle of crime and punishment that can trap people in heartbreaking ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a-comin'
I am aware that the train is approaching me
It's rollin' 'round the bend
It's moving along the curvy tracks
And I ain't seen the sunshine
I have not experienced the warmth of the sun
Since, I don't know when
It's been so long that I can't remember
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison
I am being confined in Folsom Prison
And time keeps draggin' on
Time feels very slow and dull
But that train keeps a-rollin'
The train's movement still continues
On down to San Antone
Heading towards San Antonio
When I was just a baby
When I was young and innocent
My Mama told me, "son
My mother advised me, 'my child
Always be a good boy
To be a good and honest man
Don't ever play with guns"
Never to use or play with firearms
But I shot a man in Reno
However, I still shot a man in Reno
Just to watch him die
Without reason, just to see him die
When I hear that whistle blowin'
Whenever I hear that sound of the whistle
I hang my head and cry
I express sorrow by dropping my head and crying
I bet there's rich folks eatin'
I imagine wealthy people enjoying a meal
In a fancy dinin' car
Inside a luxurious restaurant car
They're probably drinkin' coffee
They are likely enjoying a cup of coffee
And smokin' big cigars
They are puffing on large cigars
Well, I know I had it comin'
I realize that I am responsible for my situation
I know I can't be free
I understand I can never be at liberty
But those people keep a-movin'
However, those people continue to move on
And that's what tortures me
That realization is my agony
Well, if they freed me from this prison
If I were released from prison
If that railroad train was mine
If I owned the railway train
I bet I'd move it on a little
I would definitely advance it a bit
Farther down the line
Further on the tracks
Far from Folsom Prison
Away from Folsom Prison
That's where I want to stay
That is where I desire to reside
And I'd let that lonesome whistle
I would allow that melancholic whistle
Blow my blues away
To soothe and cure my sadness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dagny1207
Willie is great and so is his guitar:-)
@pattibrooks1907
Willie and Johnny were awesome singers !
@corneliadenninger5395
That's quite a beautiful collaboration. 1/2 Highwaymen together just great.
@pattibrooks1907
Willie did not sing on this song with Johnny !