Johnny Cash

Inspirational

Country and Western

1959

When my hands are tired and my step is slow
Walk beside me and give me the strength to go
Fill my face with your courage so defeat won't show
Pick me up when I stumble so the world won't know

Lead me Father with the staff of life
Give me the strength for a song
That the words I sing might more strength bring
To help some poor troubled weary worker along

When my way is light but I still can't see
With a strong hand strike out the blindness in me
Show me work that I should carry on for Thee
Make my way straight and narrow like you want it to be

Lead me Father with the staff of life
Give me the strength for a song
That the words I sing might more strength bring
To help some poor troubled weary worker along

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Johnny Cash

Food and Drink

Country and Western

1957

Well, you come home feeling for the knob on the door
You better pick up your feet, you're gonna fall on the floor
I keep on telling you, I'll tell you some more
You better leave that junk alone and drink water

Lord, that liquor's hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
And put on the top and drink cool H2O

Well, your eyes are baggy and a bloodshot red
It's been a week or two since you've been in bed
You better pay attention now to what I said
You better leave that junk alone and drink water

Lord, that liquor's hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
And put on the top and drink cool H2O

Well, now I'll forgive you for your running around
If you just promise that you come unwound
I'll buy you anything you want in town
If you'll leave that junk alone and drink water

Lord, that liquor's hot, drink water
You don't wanna be a sot
You better lay down the bottle
And put on the top and drink cool H2O

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Jim Glaser

Tompall Glaser

Love

Sadness

Country and Western

1962

Let me down easy, if you must go
Why not deceive me, it won't hurt me so
Truth is so painful, tell me a lie
Let me down easy and I'll get by

Let me down easy for old time's sake
Is it too much to ask when my heart's gonna break
I'm bound to lose you, I'm bound to cry
Oh let me down easy and I'll get by

Let me down easy for old time's sake
Is it too much to ask when my heart's gonna break
I'm bound to lose you, I'm bound to cry
Oh let me down easy and I'll get by

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Jack H. Clement

Johnny Cash

Love

Time

Sadness

Country and Western

1961

My baby left me just the other day
I guess that things will never be the same
But I must forget that she is gone
Cause time goes by and life goes on

Makin' plans, shakin' hands
Try to prove, that I'm a man
It's hard to do, but I must try
Cause life goes on and so will I

It's been kinda tough these last few days
Tryin' to act normal and be gay
It's not easy to be all alone
But time goes by and life goes on

If I see her anywhere
I hope she thinks that I don't care
For after night, there comes the dawn
Yes time goes by and life goes on

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Gordon Terry

Johnny Cash

Love

Time

Sadness

Country and Western

1968

Stop lovin' me, a little at a time
Let me lose you, a little at a time
Walk away slow like you don't wanna go
Leave me, a little at a time

For my benefit, try to cry a little bit
For old times sake, gimme a slow heartbreak
I'll put up a fight, but I'll be all right
If you stop lovin' me, a little at a time

Hurt me, a little at a time
Turn me away, a little at a time
Walk away slow like you don't wanna go
Leave me, a little at a time

For my benefit, try to cry a little bit
For old times sake, gimme a slow heartbreak
I'll put up a fight, but I'll be all right
If you stop lovin' me, a little at a time
A little at a time, a little at a time
A little at a time, a little at a time

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Johnny Cash

Love

Places

Transport

Country and Western

1968

I got a gal in Dallas, I wave at when I go through
I got a gal in Tulsa, that I toot my whistle to, say how I do
I got 'em all over the land, I'm a locomotive man

Left my heart in Omaha, Omaha, and I never did quite get it back
I got a Sue in Sioux City, waitin' by the railroad track
Keeps her money in a 'tato sack
I got 'em all over the land, I'm a locomotive man

Well I left a little switch engine, bout forty miles south of Banger, Maine
Couldn't keep the wheels a turnin', shouldn't try to pull my train
I got 'em all over the land I'm a locomotive man

Well I had a gal in Jackson, and it sure broke my heart to turn her loose
When I checked my time and moved on, she's hooked on my caboose
I got 'em all over the land, I'm a locomotive man

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Johnny Cash

Food and Drink

Weather

Country/Nature

Places

Money

Country and Western

1962

A burnin' hot sun, a cry for water
Black wings circle the sky
Stumblin' and fallin', somebody's callin'
You're lost on the desert to die

I had to give up then they took me to jail
But I hid all the money I got
Way out on the desert where no one could get it
And I left a mark at the spot
Then I got away and I ran for the desert
The devil had taken control
I needed water, but he said I'd make it
Near the money is a big waterhole

A burnin' hot sun, a cry for water
Black wings circle the sky
Stumblin' and fallin', somebody's callin'
You're lost on the desert to die

Just up ahead is where I left my mark
Or it may be to the left or the right
I've been runnin' all day and they'll catch up tomorrow
I've gotta find it tonight
Then up jumped the devil and ran away laughin'
He drank all the waterholes dry
He moved my mark till I'm running in circles
And lost on the desert to die

A burnin' hot sun, a cry for water
Black wings circle the sky
Stumblin' and fallin', somebody's callin'
You're lost on the desert to die

(Lost on the desert to die)
Lost on the desert to die
(Lost on the desert to die)
Lost on the desert to die

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Johnny Cash

Baby/Children

Memories/Nostalgia

Love

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1958

She said that she just couldn't leave her mother
I met a girl out in a town that tore all my resistance down
I thought what a dream this oughta be
I went with her a month or two and like any boy in love will do
Asked her if she would marry me

But she was a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
Though she loved me like she never loved the other
She was a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
And she said that she just couldn't leave her mother

Then I said well then probably the only thing that's left for me is to go and come back in a year or so
A year past away and then I tried to win her hand again
She even packed her clothes, but wouldn't go

Cause she was a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
Though she love me like she never love another
She was a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
And she said that she just couldn't leave her mother

Well I hung around till finally I persuaded her to marry me
Her mother said that it would be alright
We bought ourselves a little home
And I finally got her off alone, but she stays with her mother every night

Cause she's a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
Though she loved me like she never loved the other
She's a Mama's Baby, Mama's Baby
And she said that she just couldn't leave her mother
Well she said that she just couldn't leave, leave, leave, leave
Her mother

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Johnny Cash

Country/Nature

Places

Animals

Country and Western

1965

[Spoken:]
The devil in hell we're told was chained, a thousand years he there remained
He neither complained nor did he groan, but was determined to start a hell of his own
Where he could torment the souls of men without being chained in a prison pen
So he asked the Lord if he had on hand anything left when he made this land
The Lord said yes there's a plenty on hand but I left it down by the Rio Grande
The fact is ol' boy the stuff is so poor
I don't think you could use it as the hell anymore
But the devil went down to look at the truck
And said if he took it as a gift he was stuck
For after lookin' that over carefully and well he said this place is too dry for a hell
But in order to get it off his hand the Lord promised the devil to water the land

So trade was closed and deed was given and the Lord went back to his home in heaven
And the devil said now I got all that's needed to make a good hell and he succeeded
He began by putting thorns all over the trees
He mixed up the sand with millions of fleas
He scattered tarantulas along the road, put thorns on cactus and horns on toads
Lengthened the horns of the Texas steer, put an addition to the rabbits ear
Put a little devil in the bronco steed and poisoned the feet of the centipede

The rattlesnake bites you, the scorpion stings
The mosquito delights you, with his buzzing wings
The sunburrs are there and so are the ants
And if you sit down you'll need half soles on your pants
The wild boar roams on the black chapparral it's a hell of a place that he has for hell

The heat in the summers are hundred and ten, too hot for the devil, too hot for men
The red pepper grows upon the banks of the brook
The Mexican use it in all that they cook
Just dine it with one of 'em and you're bound to shout
I've hell on the inside as well as the out

My hands are calloused July to July, I use a Big Dipper to navigate by
Fight off the wolves to drink from my well so I have to be mean as hell
A sheep herder came and put up a fence
I saw him one day but I ain't seen him since
But if you're needin' mutton, we got mutton to sell
We're cowpunchers and we're mean as hell

Neither me nor my pony's got a pedigree but he takes me where I'm wantin' to be
I'll ride him to death and when he is fell I'll get me another one mean as hell

I shot me a calf and I cut off her head
Cause the boys in the bunkhouse are wantin' to be fed
They rise and shine with the five thirty bell
And the best one of any of 'em is mean as hell

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Johnny Cash

Ramblin Jack Elliott

Names

Memories/Nostalgia

Country and Western

1965

Me and my brother was down close to the depot
When I heard the report of a pistol
I hollered, "I wonder what was that!"
And he run out and he come back in and he said,
"That was a report of a pistol."

And I thought I was gonna faint when he said it,
"Mr. Garfield's been shot down, shot down, shot down,
Mr. Garfield's been shot down low."

Lord, I knew the President was supposed to be down the depot that day
But I just wouldn't let myself believe that he'd been shot

Me and my brother run out there and everybody was all confused
And hollerin' and runnin' round
And I stepped up to this one lady and I said that,

"Ma'am what was it really that happened Ma'am?", and she said,
"Mr. Garfield's been shot down, shot down, shot down
Mr. Garfield's been shot down low."

Well, it looked like everybody felt just about as bad as I did
Everybody started drift off to home
Me and my brother did too

Then a few weeks later, I heard that the President was still alive
So I told my brother, I said, "Hey let's get on a train
And go to that Big House up there and see how the President is."

"Let's go up there to where he's laid up hurt and sick we'd see him."
So we went on up there and that big White House
And there was a soldier boy standin' round upside, outside
And, I sidled up to him and I said to that soldier boy
I said, "Who was it that did it?
Who was it that shot the President?"
And he said that, "It was Charlie Guiteau that shot Mr. Garfield."
And I said, "Charlie Guiteau done shot down a good man, good man
Charlie Guiteau done shot down a good man low,
Charlie Guiteau done shot down a good man, good man"

That soldier boy said that
Miss Lucretia Garfield was always at his bedside
In the heat of the day fannin' him when he was hot

And he said just that mornin' that he had been at the window
And he'd overheard Miss. Lucretia and Mr. Garfield talkin'
And Mr Garfield said, "Crete, honey", he called her Crete

He said, "Crete, honey, if somethin' worse would happens to me"
He said, "You get yourself a good man"
And she said, "Now James", she called him James

She said, "James, I won't hear to that now
'Cause I love you too much"

And he said that, "You'll make some good man a good wife, good wife,
You'll make some man a good wife gal,
Don't pull in single harness all your life, good gal,
Don't pull in single harness all your life."

That's what he said, "Don't pull in single harness all your life."

Well a little while later, we come back around there
And things have changed
The flag was hangin' halfway up the flagpole

And everybody was cryin' and standin' 'round sad
And I walked back up to this soldier boy and I said
"Soldier boy, is he, is Mr Garfield?" and he said, "Yeah, he's gone."

Gonna lay him by that cold lonesome branch down low
Mr. Garfield's been shot down low
Oh, Mr. Garfield's been shot down, shot down, shot down
Mr. Garfield's been shot down low

Have you heard the news?
Mr. Garfield's been shot down, shot down, shot down
Mr. Garfield's been shot down low, Lord

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Kenneth Morris

Body

Inspirational

Country and Western

1962

There are some things, I may not know
There are some places, I can't go
But I am sure, of this one thing
My God is real for I can feel him in my soul

My God is real, real in my soul
My God is real for he has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold
My God is real for I can feel him in my soul

Some folks may doubt, some folks may scorn
Well they can all go on, just leave me alone
But ask for me, I'll take God's part
My God is real for I can feel him in my heart

My God is real, real in my soul
My God is real for he has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold
My God is real for I can feel him in my soul

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Edward B. Marks

Joseph W. Stern

Food and Drink

Memories/Nostalgia

Country and Western

1982

Two drummers sat at dinner, in a grand hotel one day
While dining they were chatting, in a jolly sort of way
When a pretty waitress brought them a fancy tray of food
They spoke to her familiarly in a manner rather rude

At first she did not notice, or make the least reply
But one remark was passed that brought teardrops to her eyes
And facing her tormentors, with her cheeks now burnin' red
She looked the perfect picture as appealingly she said

My Mother was a lady and yours, you will allow
And you may have a sister who needs protection now
I've come to this great city to find a brother dear
And you'd dare not insult me, sir, if Jack were only here

It's just one touch of nature
But it makes the whole world kin
And every word she uttered seemed to touch their hearts within

They sat there stunned in silence, until one cried in shame
Forgive me, miss, I meant no harm, pray tell me what's your name
She told him and he cried, I know your brother too
Why we've been friends for many years and he often speaks of you
He'll be so glad to see you and if you'll only wed
I'll take you to him as my wife for I've loved you since you said

My Mother was a lady like yours, you will allow
And you may have a sister who needs protection now
I've come to this great city to find a brother dear
And you'd dare not insult me, sir, if Jack were only here

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Johnny Cash

June Carter Cash

Body

Memories/Nostalgia

Love

Country/Nature

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1964

Oh, you have got them all hanging around
Like the fringes on your gown
You're picking them up and a laying them low
My old faded rose

Was it me that said you're getting old
And a losing your appeal
Was it me that said you're growing cold
And I wanted another deal

Well, I see that you're not wilted
But you never did let it show
Why didn't I know about the fiery glow
In my old faded rose

My old faded rose
With your petals hanging down
I didn't know I'd miss you so
My old faded rose

Oh, look at them hanging around
Like the fringes on your gown
You're picking them up and a laying them low
My old faded rose

I didn't mean that the grass was green
While your leaves is turning brown
Now don't take me so seriously
When I tell you don't hang around
But now I see you don't need pruning
And who do you suppose
Is back in line for one more time
After his old faded rose

My old faded rose
With your petals hanging down
I didn't mean I'd miss you so
My old faded rose
Look at them hanging around
Like the fringes on your gown
You're picking them up and laying them low
My old faded rose

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Johnny Cash

Love

Time

Country and Western

1957

The next in line will be someone who loves you
The next in line is me, 'cause it's my time
Now how long will it be, till you end my misery
You better be prepared to linger, when you get to me

The time has come for you to love me, if you ever are
Come to me now, so I can make you mine
I watched them rush to you so fast
I waited so I'd be the last
It's my time, 'cause I'm the next in line

The next in line will want your love forever
The next in line is me and here I am
Give me a day or two and I'll get through to you
You'd been my baby long ago, if you'd turned down a few

This old heart can't take much more waitin' for your love
I'm tired and we're runnin' short of time
I'll make you love me more than everyone before
It's my time to try, 'cause I'm the next in line

I stood and watched you take their hearts
And break 'em one by one
My time is comin', so I waited while you had your fun
Now I'm through a-waitin' way behind
It's my time, 'cause I'm the next in line

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Johnny Cash

Dreams

Love

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1959

Oh what a dream
Oh what a dream

I dreamed, I walked in a field of flowers
Oh, what a dream
The houses all were silver towers
Oh, what a dream

Beside the road an angel sat
I said hello and tipped my hat
And stopped when I saw her smile
And sat me down a while, I sat me down a while

Oh what a dream
Oh what a dream

I tried the angel for a kiss
Oh, what a dream
But she turned away and my lips missed
Oh, what a dream

She said, "Sir, I'll have you know
I met you just a while ago
You're welcome for to sit
But calm yourself a bit, sir, calm yourself a bit."

Oh what a dream
Oh what a dream

I fell in love like one, two, three
Oh, what a dream
And I asked the angel to marry me
Oh, what a dream

She said, "Sir, I can't marry you
But I'm a dream that can come true
There are dreams of much my worth
That live upon the earth, sir, live upon the earth."

Oh what a dream
Oh what a dream

Then I awoke and found my love
Oh, what a dream
As heavenly as the one above
Oh, what a dream

We'll marry in a sea of flowers
Home will be a silver tower
There'll be heaven in my life
With an angel for a wife, with an angel for a wife

Oh what a dream
Oh what a dream

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Johnny Cash

Memories/Nostalgia

Places

Sadness

Country and Western

1959

Old Apache squaw, how many long lean years you saw
How many bitter winter nights shiverin' in a cold teepee, shiverin' in a cold teepee
Old Apache squaw how many hungry kids you saw
How many bloody warriors, runnin' to the sea, fleein' to the sea

Well now they tell me that you saw Cochise
When he made his last stand
He said the next white man that sees my face
Is gonna be a dead white man

Old Apache squaw how many broken hearts you saw
How you've had misty eyes for years, could that mist be tears, could that mist be tears

Well now they tell me that you saw Cochise
When he made his last stand
He said the next white man that sees my face
Is gonna be a dead white man

Old Apache squaw how many broken hearts you saw
How you've had misty eyes for years, could that mist be tears, could that mist be tears
Old Apache squaw

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Johnny Cash

Names

Memories/Nostalgia

Country/Nature

Places

Country and Western

1960

Ride this train
Let me show you a land of rolling hills and tall corn
A land of hard working people where rewards are often very small
This is Pella, Iowa
My mother and father brought me here in 1847, we came from Cork Ireland
We had a potato famine over there and things had been pretty rough for us
I remember during the potato famine in Ireland, I'd trail along at father's feet
And we'd try to find enough potatoes for a meal
And we'd take em back in to mother and she'd cook em coats and all
Well finally we gave up and somehow we made it to America
Well our new neighbors here in Pella loaned father oxen
And ploughs to make his first crop with
And you never saw taller corn that year than it was on our place
The next season, why we were even lendin' out ploughs and oxen to other farms
That's the way it was here in the new land
Everybody helped everybody out if you got sick, everybody came to visit
Even the doctor wouldn't take pay if he thought you couldn't afford it
But old Doc Brown was always there if you ever needed him

He was just an old country doctor
In a little country town
Fame and fortune had passed him by
Though we never saw him frown

As day by day in his kindly way
He'd serve us one and all
Many a patient forgot to pay
Although Doc's fees were small

Though he needed his dimes and there were
Times that he'd receive a fee
He'd pass it onto some poor soul
That needed it worse than he

He had to sell his furniture
Couldn't pay his office rent
So to a dusty room over a livery stable,
Doc Brown and his satchel went

And on the hitchin' post at the kerb below
To advertise his wares
He nailed a little sign that read
"Doc Brown has moved upstairs."

And one day he didn't answer
When they knocked upon his door
Old Doc Brown was lyin' down
But his soul was no more

They found him there in that old black suit
On his face was a smile of content
But all the money they could find on him
Was a quarter and a copper cent

So they opened up his ledger
And what they saw, gave their hearts a pull
Beside each debtor's name old Doc
Had write these words, "Paid in full."

Old Doc should had
A funeral fine enough for a king
It's a ghastly joke our town was broke
And no one could give a thing

'Cept Jones an undertaker
He did mighty well
Donated an old iron casket
He had never been able to sell

And the funeral procession
It wasn't much, for grace and pomp and the style
But those wagon loads of mourners
They stretched out for more than a mile

We wanted to give him a monument
We kinda figured we owed him one
'Cause he made our town a better place
For all the good he'd done

We pulled up that old hitchin' post
Where Doc had nailed a sign
We'd painted it white and to all of us
It certainly did look fine

Now the rains and the snows
Have washed away our white trimmin's of paint
There ain't nothin' left but Doc's own sign
And that's gettin' pretty faint

But you can still see that old hitchin' post
As if in answer to our prayers
Mutually tellin' the whole wide world
Doc Brown has moved upstairs

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Johnny Cash

Memories/Nostalgia

Country/Nature

Country and Western

1972

Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale of cotton
Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale a day
Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale of cotton
Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Hey snatch it!
Pick a bale of cotton
Ho grab it!
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Hold back, sow back
Pick a bale of cotton
Hold back, sow back
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Oh baby!
Pick a bale of cotton
Hey sugar!
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Stomp a bunch of boll weevils
Pick a bale of cotton
Stomp a bunch of boll weevils
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Drag along pick sack
Pick a bale of cotton
Drag along pick sack
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale of cotton
Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale of cotton
Jump down
Turn around
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale of cotton
Pick a bale
Pick a bale
Pick a bale a day

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Inspirational

Country/Nature

Country and Western

1959

I got cotton in the bottom land
It's up and growin' and I got a good stand
My good wife and them kids of mine
Gonna get new shoes come pickin' time
Get new shoes come pickin' time

Ev'ry night when I go to bed
I thank the Lord that my kids are fed
They live on beans eight days in nine
But I get 'em fat come pickin' time
Get 'em fat come pickin' time

The corn is yellow and my beans're high
The sun is hot in the summer sky
The work is hard till layin' by
Layin' by till pickin' time
Layin' by till pickin' time

It's hard to see by the coal oil light
And I turn it off pretty early at night
Cause a jug of coal oil costs a dime
But I stay up late come pickin' time
Stay up late come pickin' time

My old wagon barely gets me to town
I patched the wheels and I watered 'em down
Keep her in shape so she'll be fine
To haul my cotton come pickin' time
Haul my cotton come pickin' time

Last Sunday mornin' when they passed the hat
It was still nearly empty back where I sat
But the preacher smiled and said that's fine
The Lord'll wait till pickin' time
The Lord'll wait till pickin' time

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Johnny Cash

Maybelle Carter

Weather

Novelty

Transport

Country and Western

1969

Out on a shrimp boat I just dropped the net
When the wind she come to blowin' whizzin' bad all to get
I look south east and golly me what I see
A black thundercloud with them fuzzy eyebrows
Come a lookin' direct towards Boudleaux and me

I turned to Boudleaux and me I said
Put the sugar to bed put the sugar to bed
Lock up the coffee in the coffee pot
Put the flour in your pillow cause it's all we got
Hang the lantern from the ceiling and watch your head
Ho Boudleaux put the sugar to bed
Boudleaux put the sugar to bed

Well the sky she get dark and then she turn dark black
I yell she gonna blow one right out of the Almanac
A big raindrop smacked me right on the ear
And I hollered hey Boudleaux but the way the wind blow
He just as soon be deaf there wasn't no how to hear
I try to call to Boudleaux but slid instead
Then me and Boudleaux put the sugar to bed

Well the ends of that shrimpin' boat was switchin' around
She turned sideways and inners and outers and upside down
The water come in tryin' to drown the both of us
The closet top open and the skillet went a flyin' me I hit my head and kinda cuss

But most of all I frowned when she calm that I said
Put the sugar to bed, put the sugar to bed
Ain't nothin' dry but my railroad watch, the salt got soggy but we still can budge

We built a fire for the coffee and we chicory fed
Cause me and Boudleaux put the sugar to bed
Me and Boudleaux put the sugar to bed

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Places

Transport

Country and Western

1959

I came in like a restless wind
On a wagon train
But I'm going to go like a July snow
Back to where I came from
Going to leave this humdrum
It's too slow and tame

None of your business where I've been
Don't ask me what I've done
Run your ranch and punch your cows
And stay behind my gun man
Colorado's right hand will put you on the run

I got a gal in Denver town
That's crying over me
But I said goodbye and I let her cry
I miss her company but
I'll get out of this rut
Rio Bravo's killing me

They got a man locked in a cell
That's a freer man than I
He's going to laugh right in their face
When they lead him out to die and
He's going to leave this badland
And ride off in the sky

You're going to see old Colorado
Heading for the door
You better believe I'm going to leave
Like the 904 train
Gotta to breathe some air again
That ain't been breathed before

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Baby/Children

Body

Celebration

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1956

Well, I took my Ruby jukin' on the out-skirts of town
She took her high heels off and let her stockings down
She put a quarter in the jukebox to get a little beat
Everybody started watchin', all the rhythm of her feet

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
It satisfies my soul

Well, Ruby started rockin' 'bout one o'clock
And when she started rockin'
She just couldn't stop
She rocked on the tables
And she rocked on the floor
With everybody yellin'
"Ruby, rock some more!"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
It satisfies my soul

It was 'round about four
And I thought she would stop
She looked at me and then she looked at the clock
She said, "Wait a minute, Daddy
Now don't you get sour, all I want to do
Is rock a little bit more."

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
It satisfies my soul

One night, my Ruby left me all alone
I tried to contact her on the telephone
I finally found her about twelve o'clock
She said, "Leave me alone, Daddy
'Cause your Ruby wants to rock."

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Man, it satisfies my soul

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Transport

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1957

Now this here's a story about the Rock Island Line
Well the Rock Island Line she runs down into New Orleans
There's a big tollgate down there
And you know if you got certain things on board when you go through the tollgate
Well you don't have to pay the man no toll

Well a train driver he pulled up to the tollgate
And a man hollered and asked him what all he had on board and he said

I got livestock, I got livestock, I got cows
I got pigs, I got sheep, I got mules, I got all livestock

Well he said you're all right boy you don't have to pay no toll
You can just go right on through so he went on through the tollgate
And as he went through he started pickin' up a little bit of speed
Pickin' up a little bit of steam

He got on through, he turned and looked back at the man he said
Well I fooled you, I fooled you, I got pig iron, I got pig iron, I got all pig iron

Down the Rock Island Line she's a mighty good road
Rock Island Line it's a road to ride
Rock Island Line it's a mighty good road
Well if you ride you got to ride it like you finally get your ticket
At the station for the Rock Island Line

Oh it's cloudy in the west and it looked like rain
Round the curve come a passenger train
North bound train on the southbound track
He's alright a leavin' but he won't be back

Well the Rock Island Line she's a mighty good road
Rock Island Line it's a road to ride
Rock Island Line it's a mighty good road
Well if you ride you got to ride it like you finally get your ticket
At the station for the Rock Island Line

Oh I may be right and I may be wrong
But you gonna miss me when I'm gone

Well the engineer said before he died
That there were two more drinks that he'd like to try
The conductor said what could they be
A hot cup of coffee and a cold glass of tea

Well the Rock Island Line she's a mighty good road
Rock Island Line it's a road to ride
Rock Island Line it's a mighty good road
Well if you ride you got to ride it like you finally get your ticket
At the station for the Rock Island Line

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Dreams

Love

Country/Nature

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1959

(Run softly Blue River my darlin's asleep
Run softly Blue River run cool and deep)
Run softly Blue River my darlin's asleep
Run softly Blue River run cool and deep

Oh I thrill to her kisses and she thrilled to mine
Run softly while she sleeps and dreams for a time
Cause she dreams of tomorrow when she'll be my wife
And I pray that as peaceful as you is our life
And if your murmuring soothes me till I'm sleeping too
Run softly Blue River we'll both dream with you

(Run softly Blue River my darlin's asleep
Run softly Blue River run cool and deep)

Oh I thrill to her kisses and she thrilled to mine
Run softly while she sleeps and dreams for a time
Cause she dreams of tomorrow when she'll be my wife
And I pray that as peaceful as you is our life
And if your murmuring soothes me till I'm sleeping too
Run softly Blue River we'll both dream with you

(Run softly Blue River my darlin's asleep
Run softly Blue River run cool and deep
Run softly Blue River my darlin's asleep
Run softly Blue River run cool and deep)
[Repeat to fade]

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Autry Inman

Memories/Nostalgia

Love

Sadness

Places

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1969

I walked up to the desk and asked the man about a room
I asked about the bridal sweet, I told him I'm the groom
Then I took the elevator to the floor I was assigned
I fumbled with the key the way I did that other time
Inside I thought of all the things that started in this room
But I'm alone on our second honeymoon

I hear the happy people laughing in the street below
But the loneliness I feel tonight I hope you never know
The life that was a happy song has ended much too soon
I'm alone on our second honeymoon

I look around the room and see you standing everywhere
The fragrance from your bridle flowers seem to fill the air
The blushing bride that gave me such a free and eager kiss
Two loving arms around me, as you offered wedded bliss
We said that we'd return to live it over in this room
But I'm alone on our second honeymoon
(Alone on our second honeymoon)

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Jenny Lou Carson

Love

Country/Nature

Country and Western

1959

You're the shepherd of my heart so treat it tenderly
It's a heart that needs your everlovin' care
You're the shepherd of my heart until eternity
Lead it not into the valley of despair

While it's in your keeping, guard it with your love
Shelter it from harm along life's way
You're the shepherd of my heart and darling honestly
It's a heart that will not ever go astray

You're the shepherd of my heart, so surely you must know
You have but to speak and my heart will obey
It's at your command my dear because it loves you so
So my darling shepherd guide it where you may

If it be green pastures or a rocky road
It will follow you and not ask why
You're the shepherd of my heart until the trumpet blows
And I go to meet the shepherd in the sky

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Body

Names

Dreams

Inspirational

Country and Western

1962

So you gave up all between us for a glamorous career
And with all your talent you should be the big star of the year
Then you'll be public property so I release my claim to you
Go on and give 'em all you've got, sing it pretty Sue

I can't take just part of you and give the world a half
So smile for all the papers and give 'em autographs
Go on to all the cities so your public can see you
But I'll watch on television, so sing it pretty Sue

I hope you'll soon be on the top of ev'ry hit parade
I'll try to be excited bout the progress that you've made
I'll collect your pictures like any fan would do
And I'll buy all your records, so sing it pretty Sue

But I won't ever tell a soul that we have ever met
I'll just be one of millions who'll give the praise you get
And maybe ev'ry year or so I'll drop a card to you
To tell you I'm still listenin', so sing it pretty Sue

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Names

Memories/Nostalgia

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1968

Well the whole town listened to the radio for the Smilin' Bill McCall Show
Everyone in Nashville was listenin' to Bill
I don't wanna be layin' in bed when they pronounce me dead

He'd stand and breathe in the microphone with his guitar hangin' to his kneebone
All the girls'd just sat and dreamed when Bill began his sing
I don't want my hat to be hung when my last song is sung

But he never let fame go to his head This is Smilin' Bill McCall he said
Gonna pick and sing a song or two
Y'all listen till I'm through
And if you're at the house or in your car tune in this time tomorrow

To all the boys he was a big hero, they'd glue their ears to the radio
Then talk in a most unusual drawl, imitatin' Bill McCall
Daddy can I get me a guitar, cause I wanna be a star

The girls'd would say of Bill McCall, why I bet he's over six feet tall
Handsomest man in Nashville, they said of Smilin' Bill
He won't be plantin' potato slips when he cashes in his chips

Then one day Bill didn't make the show Didn't even show up for a week or so
The station's boss said to city hall, find Smilin' Bill McCall
It won't be hard to track him down, he's got the biggest feet in town

Well there's a creek that runs through Nashville
And on the bank they found Smilin' Bill
He's committin' suicide, but they grabbed him fore he tried
Turn me loose I'm gonna jump he screamed cause I can't stand that theme
Let this be my final breath cause I'm scared half to death
The big brave Smilin' Bill McCall is only four feet tall
I'd rather be in the river dead than to hear 'em laughin' at my bald head

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Marshall Pack

Baby/Children

Body

Memories/Nostalgia

Weather

Country and Western

1959

The years have been many, the years have been long
But at last I'm returning to daddy and home
He's looking my way though he hardly can see
God bless my old daddy, he recognised me

There's snow in his hair and I helped put it there
A halo of worry and care
As my daddy grows old, he's more precious than gold
For I cherish the snow in his hair

His shoulders were bent with the weight of the years
I scarcely could hold back the flood tide of tears
He walked with a cane as he hurried along
Comin' to meet me to welcome me home

There's snow in his hair and I helped put it there
A halo of worry and care
As my daddy grows old, he's more precious than gold
For I cherish the snow in his hair

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Eugene L. Clark

Will L. Thompson

Inspirational

Country and Western

1975

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Calling for you and for me
See on the portals, he's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling Calling oh sinner come home

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading
Pleading for you and for me
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies
Mercies for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling Calling oh sinner come home

Oh for the wonderful love he has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned he has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me

Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling Calling oh sinner come home

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Love

Baby/Children

Rock 'n' Roll

Country and Western

1959

Well a readin' and a writin' and 'rithmetic never did get through to me
It ain't because I'm square or thick cause I learned my ABC's
But when I graduated from the grammar school and I moved one grade above
I began to be a snook at books, but I made straight A's in love

Now the teacher would say to learn your algebray
But I'd bring home C's and D's
How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid
On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me

Oh my grades are low on my card I know, but they oughta give me one above
If they'd give a mark for learnin' in the dark, I'd have straight A's in love

Now in my senior year with graduation near I did my home work every night
And when my mama said I oughta go to bed I'd turn out all the lights
But my sweetie pie was waitin' right outside, she'd be a cooin' like a dove
Though I did my beat, I failed semester tests, but I made straight A's in love

Now the teacher would say to learn your algebray
But I'd bring home C's and D's
How could I make an A when there's a swingin' maid
On the left and on the right and in the back and the front of me

Oh my grades are low on my card I know, but they oughta give me one above
If they'd give a mark for learnin' in the dark, I'd have straight A's in love

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Ervin T. Rouse

Lois Mann

Moon Mullican

Memories/Nostalgia

Sadness

Country and Western

1988

Yes as far as I can remember she'll remain the rose of my heart
Mom took sick along in December, February brought us broken heart

The reason we've not called the family reunion, we knew that you wouldn't be there
Now we've thought it all over mama, we know that your spirit is there

No, no I can't forget the hours
You're the dearest one mom and sweeter than the flowers
No, no there's no need to bother, because without you now would only hurt father
No, no mama we'll never forget you and someday we'll meet you up there

We all gathered round, I stared at their faces
All heads were bowed down, mighty low
There was one time mama, we all had to face it
It hurt us so bad you know

No, no I can't forget the hours
You're the dearest one mom and sweeter than the flowers
No, no there's no need to bother, because without you now would only hurt father
No, no mama we'll never forget you and someday we'll meet you up there

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Inspirational

Country and Western

1959

Well now I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Comin' for to carry me home
There was a band of angels a comin' after me
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot (chariot), comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home

Well I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down
Comin' for to carry me home
But I know my soul is heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot (chariot), comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home

Well now if you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home
Tell all of my friends that I'm a comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low (swing low), sweet chariot (chariot), comin' for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home

Well now they're comin' for to carry me home

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Baby/Children

Places

Memories/Nostalgia

Country and Western

1961

In a little cabaret
In a South Texas border town
Sat a boy and his guitar
And the people came from miles around

And all the girls, from there to Austin
Were slippin' away from home and puttin jewellry in hock
To take the trip, to go and listen
To the little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box
And he would play

Well, he couldn't ride or wrangle
And he never cared to make a dime
But give him his guitar
And he'd be happy all the time

And all the girls, from nine to ninety
Were snapping fingers, tapping toes and begging him, "Don't stop."
And hypnotized and fascinated
By the little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box
And he would play

Then one day he was gone
And no one ever saw him 'round
He vanished like the breeze
They forgot him in the little town

But all the girls still dreamed about him
And hung around the cabaret until the doors were locked
And then one day on the Hit Parade
Was a little dark-haired boy who played a Tennessee flat top box
And he would play

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Charlie Rich

Love

Sadness

Country and Western

1959

You're tellin' everyone in town that I don't treat you right
You even say I stay away and don't come home at night
I'm losing you and you are all I've got
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)

It seems you like to hurt me and you know I'm good to you
I'd give you anything I own, do anything you want me to
Yeah now you really got me on the spot Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)

Still I would forgive you if you'd let me
I'd be glad if we could try again
But it seems that you're just out to get me
And it looks as if you're just about to win

No matter what you do, I'll always still love you
And you will never know, how it hurts to see you go
And for callin' me those things you know I'm not
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)

[Instrumental]

No matter what you do, I always still love you
And you will never know, how it hurts to see you go
You say I'm happy but you know I'm not Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)
Thanks a lot (thanks a lot)

Thanks a lot

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Dick Glasser

Love

Sadness

Happiness

Country and Western

1959

Mhmmmm
Mhmmmm
When you left I shed a million teardrops over you
But that's all over, my cryin' days are through
When you left my heart was cold and ev'ry day was blue
But that's all over, I've found somebody new

Someone that can make me happy, make me wanna smile
Someone I'm gonna have around me for a long, long while
Someday we may meet again, but I won't fall for you
That's all over, I've found somebody new

Mhmmmm
Mhmmmm

Someone that can make me happy, make me wanna smile
Someone I'm gonna have around me for a long, long while
Someday we may meet again, but I won't fall for you
That's all over, I've found somebody new
Yes that's all over I've found somebody new

Mhmmmm

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Carl Perkins

Memories/Nostalgia

Places

Country and Western

1965

Here lies less more four slugs from a forty-four, no less no more

Out in Arizona, just south of Tucson
Where tumbleweeds tumble, in search of a home
There's a town they call Tombstone, where the brave never cry
They live by a sixgun, by a sixgun they die

It's been a long time now since the town was a boom
The jailhouse is empty, so's the Palace Saloon
Just one look will tell you, that this town was real
A secluded ole dirt road, leads up to Boot Hill

Walk up to the fence there, and look at the view
That's where they were hangin', eighteen eighty two
It's easy to see where, the brave men have died
Rope marks on the ol' tree are now petrified

At night when the moon shines so far away
It gets mighty lonesome, lookin' down on their graves
There lies Billy Clanton, never wanted to kill
But he's there with the guilty, way up on Boot Hill (Boot Hill)

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Baby/Children

Memories/Nostalgia

Money

Sadness

Country and Western

1963

[Spoken:]
Son said my mother when I was knee high
You've need of clothes to cover you and not a rag have I
There's nothing in the house to make a boy's britches
Nor shears to cut a cloth with nor thread to take stitches
There's nothing in the house but a loaf end of rye
And a harp with a with the woman's head nobody will buy and she began to cry

That was in the early fall and when came the late fall
Son she said the sight of you makes your mother's blood crawl
Little skinny shoulder blades stickin' through your clothes
And where you get a jacket from God above knows
It's lucky for me lad your daddy's in the ground
And can't see the way I let his son go around and she made a queer sound

That was in the late fall when the winter came
I'd not a pair of britches nor a shirt to my name
I couldn't go to school or out of doors to play
And all the other little boys passed our way
Son said my mother come climb into my lap
And I'll chaff your little bones while you take a nap
And oh but we were silly for half an hour or more
Me with my long legs draggin' on the floor
A rock, rock rocking to a mother goose rhyme
Oh but we were happy for half an hour's time

But there was I a great boy and what would folks say
To hear my mother singin' me to sleep all day, in such a daft way
Men say the winter was bad that year, fuel was scarce and food was dear
A wind with a wolf's head howled about our door
And we burned up the chairs and sat upon the floor
All that was left us was a chair we couldn't break
And the harp with the woman's head, nobody would take for song or pity sake

The night before Christmas, I cried with the cold
I cried myself to sleep like a two year old
And in the deep night I felt my mother rise
And stare down upon me with love in her eyes
I saw my mother sitting on the one good chair
A light falling on her from I couldn't tell where

Looking nineteen and not a day older
And the harp with the woman's head leaned against her shoulder
Her thin fingers moving in the thin tall strings
Were weave, weave weaving wonderful things
Many bright threads from where I couldn't see
Were running through the harp strings rapidly
And gold threads whistling through my mother's hands
I saw the web grow and the pattern expand

She wove a child's jacket and when it was done
She laid it on the floor and wove another one
She wove a red cloak so regal to see
She's made it for a king's son I said and not for me but I knew it was for me
She wove a pair of britches and quicker than that
She wove a pair of boots and a little cocked hat
She wove a pair of mittens she wove a little blouse
She wove all night in the still cold house

She sang as she worked and the harp strings spoke
But her voice never faltered and the thread never broke
But, but when I awoke there sat my mother
With the harp against her shoulder, lookin' nineteen not a day older
A smile about her lips and a light about her head
And her hands in the harp strings frozen dead
And piled up beside her toppling to the skies
Were the clothes of a king's son just my size

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Memories/Nostalgia

Inspirational

Country and Western

1962

I think sir the battle is over and the young soldier lay down his gun
I'm tired of running for cover
For I think the battle is done

For see over there where we fought them It's quiet for they've all gone away
All left is the dead and the dying
The ground's covered with them today

So you think the battle is over and you even lay down your gun
You carelessly rise from your cover
For you think the battle is done

Now boy hit the dirt listen to me
For I'm still the one in command
Get flat on the ground here beside me And lay your ear hard to the sand

Can you hear the deafening rumble?
Can you feel the trembling ground?
It's not just the horses and wagons
That make such a deafening sound

The fight yet to come's not with cannon Nor will the fight be hand to hand
No one will regroup the forces
No charge will a general command

The battle will rage in the bosom
Of mother and sweetheart and wife
Brother and sister and daughter
Will grieve for the rest of their lives

Now go ahead rise from your cover
Be thankful that God let you live
Go fight the rest of the battle
For those who gave all they could give

I see sir the battle's not over
The battle has only begun
The rest of the battle will cover
The part that has blackened the sun

For though there's no sound of the cannon
And though there's no smoke in the sky
I'm droppin' the gun and the sabre
And ready for battle am I

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Christmas/Seasonal

Country and Western

1963

[Sung:]
(Praises sing to Christ the King
And peace to men on Earth)

[Spoken:]
On Christmas Eve I dreamed I traveled all around the Earth
And in my dream I saw and heard the ways the different people hail the king
Whose star shone in the east and what a dream it was

In London Town I walked around Piccadilly Circus
A mass of people movin' here and there I wandered where
On ev'ry face at ev'ry place was hurry up I'm late
But a kind old man at a chestnut stand said Merry Christmas mate
And I felt the Christmas spirit

In a little town nestled down in Bavarian Germany
I walked along to see what the feeling there would be
And here again was the busy den, the rushin' the yellin'
But some kind voice said Frohliche Weihnachten
Not understanding the words but forgettin' the buyin' and sellin'
I felt the Christmas spirit

In Bethlehem I heard a hymn some distant choir sang
And with other tourists I walked along to a church as its bells rang
Then I heard someone tell someone there's where Christ was born
I wonder if he looked like our baby looked on that first morn
And then I really felt the Christmas spirit

From a businessman in the Holy Land at a sidewalk souvenir shop
I bought a little Bible since I'd already stopped
And it was in Paris, France somehow by chance that I took the Bible out
And as I flipped the pages I saw these words and I knew what it was all about
For I read, fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy
Which shall be to all people
For unto you he was born this day in the City of David a Saviour
Which is Christ the Lord

Then I took the little Holy Book, held it close and tight
I closed my eyes and visualized the glory of that night
So suddenly it came to me for when I awoke Christmas Day
I felt the Christmas spirit down deep inside to stay

[Sung:]
(O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see Thee lie
Above Thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by
Yet in Thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight)

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Names

Memories/Nostalgia

Love

Country and Western

1960

Well I knew a boy named Willie Brown
He was a lover of our town
Wherever he went the girls fell down
And cried for Willie Brown
Crazy about Willie Brown

Tall and dark and lean and long
Big as a bull and twice as strong
He loved the girls and turned them down A sheek was Willie Brown
Dang sheek Willie Brown

Well a new girl moved in on our street We knew that she and Will would meet
But then, when we inquired around
She'd not met Willie Brown,
She said who's Willie Brown

The prettiest girl you ever saw
Head to toe without a flaw
When they met one night in town
She fell for Willie Brown
In love with Willie Brown

But the trouble was that we all knew
Willie Brown was falling too
Then he announced when June comes around
She'll marry Willie Brown
She's in love with Willie Brown

But then the girl denied it all
She said it's true that I did fall
But he took my love for granted now
To heck with Willie Brown
Conceited Willie Brown,

Willie Brown was shocked to learn
That his love had at last been spurned
So on a hill outside of town
We buried Willie Brown
We buried Willie Brown

Feature not available - Coming Soon

Johnny Cash

Christmas/Seasonal

Animals

Country and Western

1963

Jesus our King, kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable of wood
And the lowly beasts around him stood
Jesus our King, kind and good

I said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I carried his mother up and down
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town
I said the donkey, shaggy and brown

I said the ox this was my hay
I gave him my manger, twas here that he lay
I gave him my manger, twas here that he lay
I said the ox, this was my hay

(I said the sheep with curly horn
I gave him my wool for a blanket warm
He wore my coat on Christmas morn
I said the sheep with curly horn)

I said the dove from the rafters high
I sang him to sleep that he would not cry
We sang him to sleep my love and I
I said the dove from the rafters high

And so ev'ry heart by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift that he gave to Emanuel
Of the gift that he gave to Emanuel

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Johnny Cash

June Carter Cash

Body

Names

Money

Memories/Nostalgia

Country/Nature

Country and Western

Rock 'n' Roll

1963

John Henry's pappy woke him up one midnight
He said, "'Fore the sheriff comes I wanna tell you - listen boy!"
Said, "Learn to ball a jack, learn to lay a track, learn to pick and shovel too,
And take my hammer! It'll do anything you tell it to."

John Henry's mammy had about a dozen babies
John Henry's pappy broke jail about a dozen times
The babies all got sick and when the doctor wanted money,
He said, "I'll pay you quarter at a time startin' tomorrow,
That's the pay for a steel driver on this line."

Then the section foreman said, "Hey - hammer swinger!
I see you brought you own hammer boy, but what else can all those muscles do?"
And he said, "I can turn a jack, I can lay a track, I can pick and shovel too"
("Can you swing a hammer boy?")
"Yes, Sir, I'll do anything you hire me to."

"Now ain't you something! So high and mighty wif' your muscles!
Just go ahead, boy, and pick up that hammer! Pick up the hammer!"

He said, "Get a rusty spike and swing it down three times.
I'll pay you a nickel a day for every inch you sink it to.
Go on and do what you say you can do."

With a steep nose hammer on a four foot switch handle,
John Henry raised it back 'til it touched his heels, then,
The spike went through the cross tie and it split it half in two
Thirty-five cents a day for drivin' steel
("Sweat! Sweat boy, sweat! You owe me two more swings!")
I was born for driven steel.

Well John Henry hammered in the mountain
He'd give a grunt and he'd give a groan with every swing
The women folks for miles around heard him and come down
To watch him make the cold steel ring ("Lord what a swinger!")
Just listen to that cold steel ring!

But the bad boss come up laughin' at John Henry.
Said, "You full of vinegar now, but you about through!
We gonna get a steam drill to do your share of drivin?
Then what's all them muscles gonna do? Huh, John Henry?
Gonna take a little bit of vinegar out of you."

John Henry said, "I feed four little brothers,
And baby sister's walking on her knees.
Did the lord say that machines oughta take the place of living?
And what's a substitute for bread and beans? (I ain't seen it)
Do engines get rewarded for their steam?"

John Henry hid in a coal mine for his dinner nap
Had thirty minutes to rest before the bell
The mine boss hollered, "Get up, whoever you are, and get a pick axe!
Give me enough coal to start another Hell. (And keep it burnin!)
Mine me enough to start another Hell!"

John Henry said to his captain, "A man ain't nothin' but a man.
But if you'll bring that steam drill round, I'll beat it fair and honest.
I'll die with my hammer in my hand, but I'll be laughing
'Cuz you can't replace a steel driven man."

There was a big crowd of people at the mountain
John Henry said to the steam drill, "How is you?
Pardon me mister steam drill, I suppose you didn't hear me. I said how're you, huh?
Well can you turn a jack, can you lay a track, can you pick and shovel too?
Listen, this hammer swinger's talkin' to you."

2000 people hollered, "Go, John Henry!"
Then somebody hollered, "The mountain's caving in!"
John Henry told the captain, "Tell the kind folks don't worry.
That ain't nothin,' but my hammer suckin' wind! (It keeps me breathing.)
This steel driver's muscle I intend."

"Captain, tell the people, move back further!
I'm at the finish line and there ain't no drill.
It's so far behind, but yet ain't got the brains to quit it!
When she blows up she'll scatter cross the hills! (Lord Lord!)
When she blows up she'll scatter cross the hills!"

Well John Henry had a little woman
I believe the lady's name was Polly Ann (Yeah that was his good woman)
John Henry threw his hammer over his shoulder and went on home
He laid down to rest his weary back and early next mornin', he said,
"Come here Polly Ann, come here sugar.
Ya know, I believe this is the first time I ever watched the sun come up
that I couldn't come up.
Take my hammer, Polly Ann and go to that railroad.
Swing that hammer like you seen me do it.
And when you're swinging with the lead man,
They'll all know, they'll all know you're John Henry's woman
But, but tell them ain't all you can do.
Tell 'em I can hoist a jack, and I can lay a track,
I can pick and shovel too (Ain't no machine can!).
That's been proved to you!"

There was a big crowd of mourners at the church house
The section hands laid him in the sand
Trains go by on the rails John Henry laid
They slow down and take off their hats, the men do
When they come to the place where John Henry's layin', restin' his back,
Some of 'em say, "'Mornin', steel driver! You sure was a hammer swinger!"
Then they go on by, pickin' up a little speed. (Clickity clack, clickity clack, clickity clack, clickity clack)
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man, oh lord!
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man, oh lord!
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man, oh lord!
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man

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Johnny Cash

Inspirational

Country and Western

1968

[Spoken:]
There was an ol' stone-cutter who lived in a cabin on the mountain side
And the ol' stone-cutter knew it won't be long before he died
And all around his cabin were statues the man had made
Statues that the buyers said were all of a mediocre grade
With his calloused hands he lit a lamp and lay down his head on his handmade table
And he softly whispered Lord I'm old and shaky and I'm hardly able
But give me strength and wisdom and give me a week at least
And I'll climb up to the top of this mountain and chisel out a masterpiece

The very next morning he felt new strength
And he took his brand new hammer and a sharpest chisel
He began to climb the mountain his ol' feet slipping in the freezing dizzle

When he finally reached the top he shouted to a world that didn't hear
I'll carve my masterpiece out of this marble boulder here
So the hammer beat the chisel and he hammered till an image grew
Then he stopped to look it over to appraise his work when he was through

It was a boy carrying a crippled boy and the ole man said it isn't my masterpiece
I'll call it charity and then a masterpiece mine will be
So the hammer beat the chisel til another image in the marble grew
Then the wind began to blowing and he sat and rested when he was through

It was the image of a mother holding her child
He said this is love as the world would know
But it isn't my masterpiece and he began again as it began to snow
The hammer beat the chisel as the snow fell harder and the wind grew and grew
He fell to his knees holding a stone and he threw down his hammer and his chisel too

He lay frozen face down in the snow, but one hand was held for the world to see
Cut in the marble was his masterpice three neatly carved letters G.O.D

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Johnny Cash

Names

Memories/Nostalgia

Places

Country and Western

1961

He came in like a restless wind
Yuma is the name
He'll be going like a July snow
Followin' the sun and, better watch his gun man
He's gonna be a rebel, till the Wild West is tame

Johnny's slow and easy going, like a tumbleweed
Had to kill in Albuquerqu', but justice is his creed from Texas to the black hills
Come and watch for Johnny Yuma
For the wrong will not succeed

You may find him bedded down with the buffalo at night
Had a gal in Jacksontown that begged him not to fight
But a hardened soul is in a rut
To help to calm the stormy land
And make a few wrongs right

If you've heard the innocent, keep your back from the door
Sleep with one eye open, keep a loaded 44 man
Better watch that right hand
Johnny Yuma's gun is quick when trouble's at the for

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Johnny Cash

Memories/Nostalgia

Places

Sadness

Country and Western

1965

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo
As I walked out on Laredo one day
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen
All wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay

Beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Play the dead march, as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

Then go write a letter and send it to my grey haired mother
And please send the same to my sister so dear
But please not one word of all this would you mention
When others should ask for my story to hear

There is another more dear than a sister
She'll bitterly weep when she hears that I'm gone
And if some other man ever wins her affection
Don't mention my name and my name will pass on

Just beat the drum slowly, play the fife lowly
Play the dead march, as you carry me along
Take me to the green valley, lay the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong

Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin
Get six pretty maidens to sing me a song
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin
Roses to deaden the clods when they fall

We beat the drum slowly, played the fife lowly
We bitterly wept, as we bore him along
Down in the green valley, we laid the sod o'er him
Just a young cowboy, who'd surely gone wrong

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Johnny Cash

Memories/Nostalgia

Country/Nature

Country and Western

1964

[Spoken:]
Sequoia's winters were sixteen, silent tongue spirit clean
He walked at his father's side
Across the smoking battle ground where red and white men lay all around
So many here had died

The wind had scattered around snow white leaves upon the ground
Not leaves like leaves from trees
Sequoia said what can this be what's the strange thing here I see
From where come leaves like these
Sequoia turned to his father's eyes and he said father you're wise
From where come such snow white leaves
With such strange marks upon these squares
Not even the wise owl could put them there
So strange these snow white leaves

His father shielding his concern, resenting the knowledge Sequoia yearned
Crumbled the snow white leaves
He said when I explain then it's done, these are talking leaves my son
The white men's talking leaves
The white man takes a berry of black and red
And an eagle's feather from the eagle's bed
And he makes bird track marks
And the marks on the leaves they say carry messages to his brother far away
And his brother knows what's in his heart

They see these marks and they understand the truth in the heart of the far off man
The enemies can't hear them
Said Sequoia's father son they weave bad medicine on these talking leaves
Leave such things to them

Then Sequoia walking lightly, followed his father quietly, but so amazed was he
If the white man talks on leaves, why not the Cherokee

Vanished from his father's face, Sequoia went from place to place
But he could not forget
Year after year he worked on and on till finally he cut into stone
The Cherokee alphabet

Sequoia's hair by now was white, his eyes began to lose their light
But he taught all who would believe
That the Indian's thoughts could be written down
Just as the white men's there on the ground and he left us these talking leaves

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Johnny Horton

Memories/Nostalgia

Country/Nature

Country and Western

1964

Oh wagon trains rollin' along
They fade from my visions and in time will be gone
I see an eagle in space, my people will follow
Oh, oh a vanishing race

An Indian brave rolled along one day on a lonely mountain trail
And he gazed below with a heart of woe where the prairie schooners sail
A vision formed like a mortal storm in the dust of the wagon train
A vanishing race appeared in space and he sang this sad refrain

Oh wagon trains rollin' along
They fade from my visions and in time will be gone
I see an eagle in space, and my people will follow
A vanishing race

Oh now great spirits on high, please spare them the sorrow, you showed to my eye oh oh
Now my blanket I roll, and I ride to the valley, of the brave Navajo oh oh

And I ride to the valley, of the brave Navajo oh oh
Oh the vanishing Navajo

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