Fabulous is a pretty fair description of Johnny Cash. One of the most popular and talented artists in his field, he makes his Columbia debut on this record with a collection of songs that spotlight his manifold talents in no uncertain fashion. Johnny is a singer, and a fine one, a songwriter whose first four songs were tremendous hits, and a radio and television personality of wide popularity. In addition, he is on the threshold of a major acting career in Hollywood. But Johnny and his singing are the business of this collection, and throughout the dozen numbers he has chosen he displays his fine, deep voice, his ability to color a song with either humor or sentiment, and his appealing and convincing way with country classics as well.
Born in Dyess, Arkansas, Johnny grew up in a cheerful small-town atmosphere, and developed an early fondness for country music, without ever dreaming that he would become a leading singing star. He simply liked to sing, as a soloist and along with his friends. When he had completed his stint in the service, he went to radio school, and while there found himself becoming more and more interested in music, and particularly in writing songs. He began to jot down ideas, rhyme schemes and tunes, becoming more and more serious about his pastime until one day he gathered together a few completed songs and started making the rounds of record companies. An astute executive recognized in Johnny and his songs the distinctive touch that has made him so popular, and gave him a chance.
Within a very short time Johnny and his compositions were being heard all over the country. Becoming part of the cast of that great showcase, the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny has since worked with other important stars such as Marty Robbins, Carl Perkins and Ray Price. When he is not traveling, Johnny lives in Hollywood with his charming wife and three little daughters, and continues to write his wonderful songs. This collection contains a number of them: Run Softly, Blue River, which is a charming ballad, and Johnny's delightful new version of Frankie and Johnny are only two of them. In addition, he renders a memorable performance of the famous Supper-Time and a whole new program of fine singing of fine songs.
Here, then, is Johnny Cash, offering some of his very best performances for your continuing listening pleasure.
JOHNNY CASH
THE FABULOUS JOHNNY CASH
Columbia CS-8122January/1959
Produced by Don Law
Luther Perkins - guitarDon Helms - steel
Marshall Grant - bass
Morris Palmer, Buddy Harman - drums
Marvin Hughes - piano
Recorded:
July 24/1958, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (12)
Aug 8/1958, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (1,2,3,4)
Aug 13/1958, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (5,6,7,8,9,10,11)
1.
RUN SOFTLY BLUE RIVER
(Johnny Cash)« © '58 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
(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 thrills 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...
(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)
**********
2.
FRANKIE'S MAN JOHNNY
(Johnny Cash)« © '58 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Well now Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
They were true as a blue blue sky
He was a long-legged guitar picker with a wicked wanderin' eye
But he was her man nearly all of the time
Well Johnny he packed up to leave her but he promised he'd be back
He said he had a little pickin' to do a little farther down the track
He said I'm your man I wouldn't do you wrong
Well Frankie curled up on the sofa thinkin' about her man
Far away the couples were dancing to the music of his band
He was Frankie's man he wadn't doin' her wrong
Then in the front door walked a redhead Johnny saw her right away
She came down by the bandstand to watch him while he played
He was Frankie's man but she was far away
He sang every song to the redhead she smiled back at him
Then he came and sat at her table where the lights were low and dim
What Frankie didn't know wouldn't hurt her none
Then the redhead jumped up and slapped him she slapped him a time or two
She said I'm Frankie's sister and I was checking up on you
If you're her man you better treat her right
Well the moral of this story is be good but carry a stick
Sometimes it looks like a guitar picker just can't tell what to pick
He was Frankie's man and he still ain't done her wrong
**********
3.
THAT'S ALL OVER
(Dick Glaser)« © '58 Ridgeway Music, BMI »
Mhm mhm when you left I shed a million teardrops over you
But that's all over my crying days are through
When you left my heart was cold and every 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 mhm mhm
[ guitar ] Someone that can make me happy...
Yes that's all over I've found somebody new mhm mhm
**********
4.
TROUBADOUR
(Cindy Walker)« © '58 House Of Cash, BMI / Unichappell Music, BMI »
(Troubadour troubadour troubadour)
The troubadour the troubadour sings from his heart
The song that's the hit of the show
Watch him sing and play the strings of his guitar alone in the bright spotlight's glow
The song was for someone he loved so true
Who loved him then left him for someone new
The troubaour the troubadour smile as he sings but his heart is breaking in two
[ guitar ] They beg for more the troubadour sings once again
The song that's the hit of the show
Watch him sing and play the strings of his guitar alone in the bright spotlight's glow
There is a hush in the darkened hall a few hearts are heavy and teardrops fall
But in the crowd one head is bowed for the troubadour
And oh her heart aches most of all
Troubadour troubadour her heart aches most of all
**********
5.
THAT'S ENOUGH
(Dorothy Love Coates)« © '58 ATV Songs, BMI »
Well now I heard that you been thinking bout me really I don't mind
I know you try to block my progress a lot of the time
Well the mean things you said don't make me feel bad
Cause I can't miss a friend that I never had
(I've got) I've got Jesus and that's enough (that's enough) that's enough
When I'm sick (he's there) and troubled (he's there)
When I call him he will answer my prayers (answer my prayers)
When I'm burdened (he's there) with a load (he's there)
That's when Jesus is a comforter (to my soul)
Well you may scorn me turn your back on me
God's got his arms wrapped all around me
(I've got) I've got Jesus and that's enough (that's enough) that's enough
You know there's been a lotta times that I didn't have a dime
And I didn't cry to nobody but my Lord
He heard my plea and came to see about me cause he's one thing I can afford
So if you push me down he'll pick me up
And he'll stick by me when the goin' gets tough
(I've got) I've got Jesus and that's enough (that's enough) that's enough
Well he's the great emancipator and my heart regulator (Jesus is) yes he is
He'll make my way brighter and my burdens lighter yes he will (Jesus will)
Well you may scorn me turn your back on me
God's got his arms wrapped all around me
And he fights down the devil till he makes him give up
And that's enough (that's enough) that's enough
When I'm sick (he's there)....
**********
6.
ONE MORE RIDE
(Bob Nolan)« © '51 Music Of The West, BMI / Unichappell Music, BMI »
I long for the trip I don't need no grip I'm takin' one more ride
Way out there in the prairie air I guess it's in my hide
Oh the clickety clack of the railroad track is callin'
If a man can know where the Santa Fe goes when she gets under steam
And the big loud bell that bongs farewell could hear her whistle scream
She's bound to go where there ain't no snow a fallin' one more ride one more ride
I miss the gloom of the prairie moon that seemed to know my name
And the tumbleweed where the prairie don't feed I miss them just the same
They're all a part of a song of heart I'm sayin'
I recall the tune that I sang to the moon and it seemed to make it smile
And I rode away at the close of the day and I stayed so long awhile
But I long to be where the memory is ringing one more ride one more ride
As the years go by I wonder why I longed to leave my home
And to hit the trail of the iron rail away out there alone
But my heart would sigh till I know that I am leavin'
If I don't come back on a oneway track way down in Mexico
You can find me there or any old where that a tumbleweed will grow
So it's goodbye now you'll never know how I'm grievin' one more ride one more ride
**********
7.
I STILL MISS SOMEONE
(Johnny Cash - Ray Cash Jr)« © '58 House Of Cash, BMI / Unichappell Music, BMI »
(I still miss someone)
At my door the leaves are falling the cold wild wind will come
Sweethearts walk by together and I still miss someone
I go out on a party and look for a little fun
But I find a darkened corner cause I still miss someone
Though I never got over those blue eyes I see them everywehere
I miss those arms that held me when all the love was there
I wonder if she's sorry for leaving what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere and I still miss someone
[ guitar ] (I still miss someone)
Though I never got over...
(I still miss someone)
**********
8.
DON'T TAKE YOUR GUNS TO TOWN
(Johnny Cash)« © '58 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP »
A young cowboy named Billy Joe grew restless on the farm
A boy filled with wanderlust who really meant no harm
He changed his clothes and shined his boots and combed his dark hair down
And his mother cried as he walked out
Don't take your guns to town son leave your guns at home Bill
Don't take your guns to town
He laughed and kissed his mom and said your Billy Joe's a man
I can shoot as quick and straight as anybody can
But I wouldn't shoot without a cause I'd gun nobody down
But she cried again as he rode away
Don't take your guns to town...
He sang a song as on he rode his guns hung at his hips
He rode into a cattle town a smile upon his lips
He stopped and walked into a bar and laid his money down
But his mother's words echoed again
Don't take your guns to town...
He drank his first strong liquor then to calm his shaking hand
And tried to tell himself at last he had become a man
A dusty cowpoke at his side began to laugh him down
And he heard again his mother's words
Don't take your guns to town...
Bill was raged and Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw
But the stranger drew his gun and fired it before he even saw
As Billy Joe fell to the floor the crowd all gathered round
And wondered at his final words
Don't take your guns to town...
**********
9.
I'D RATHER DIE YOUNG
(Beasley Smith - Billy Vaughn - Randy Wood)« © '53 Milene Music, ASCAP »
I'd rather die young than grow old without you
So don't ever leave me whatever you do
To see someone's picture where my picture hung
Believe me my darling I'd rather die young
I'd rather die young than grow old without you
So don't ever leave me whatever you do
Though others may tempt you and tell you they care
You'll find only sorrow in a secret affair
Don't leave me never leave me please don't leave me never leave me
I'd rather die young..
[ guitar ] I'd rather die young...
**********
10.
PICKIN' TIME
(Johnny Cash)« © '58 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
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
Every 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
Got '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 coaloil light and I took it off pretty early at night
Cause a jug of coaloil 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 morning 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
**********
11.
SHEPHERD OF MY HEART
(Jenny Lou Carson)« © '52 Unichappell Music, BMI »
You're the shepherd of my heart so treat it tenderly
It's a heart that needs your everloving 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
**********
12.
SUPPERTIME
(Ira P. Stanphill)« © '50 Singspiration Music, ASCAP »
Many years ago in days of childhood I used to play till evening time would come
Still winding down that old familiar pathway I hear my mother call at setting sun
Come home come home it's suppertime the shadows lengthen fast
Come home come home it's suppertime we're going home at last
Some of the fondest mem'ries of my childhood are woven around suppertime
When mother used to call from the backsteps of the old homeplace
Come on home now son it's suppertime my how I'd love to hear that once again
But you know time has woven for me a realization of truth that's even more thrilling
That someday we'll be called up to gather around the suppertable up there
For the greatest suppertime of them all with our Lord
I can almost hear the call now comin' from the portals of heaven
Come home son it's suppertime come on home
Come home come home it's suppertime...
**********
