A phenomenon probably unique to the Country and Western and folk song fields is the composer who is also the best singer of his own songs. One of the notably gifted-and most successful -examples in recent years is Johnny Cash, whose hit recordings of original compositions have appeared repeatedly on national best-seller charts. Endowed with a vibrant, virile baritone voice, he is one of the best songwriting talents since the legendary Hank Williams.
The title of Johnny's new collection, I WALK THE LINE, is also the title of the million-seller that catapulted him into the national spotlight only a few years ago. Appropriately, the song leads o.If this album which includes six Cash originals and one collaboration. After he sings Bad News ("I'm bad news, always gettin' into trouble"), the effect of which Johnny heightens by a devilish chuckle, he follows with three other famous Cash originals, the grim Folsom Prison Blues ("I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die"), the poignant Give My Love to Rose ("the words a dyin' fella said") and Hey Porter ("tell me the time, how much longer will it be till we cross that Mason-Dixon line?"), a jubilant going home song. I Still Miss Someone is a sentimental song that Johnny wrote to brother Roy's words.
A song with a too-late-now theme, Understand Your Man, shows a lighter side to Johnny's writing and performing talents. A new arrangement of Wreck of the Old 97 concludes with the sobering moral: "Never speak harsh words to your true-lovin' husband, he may leave you and never return." After Still in Town, Johnny sings another of his own songs, Big River ("I taught the weepin' willow how to cry"), Gene Autry's classic Goodbye, Little Darlin' Goodbye and concludes with the inspirational Troublesome Waters.
I WALK THE LINE offers Johnny Cash, renowned story-teller-in song, at his creative and performing best.
JOHNNY CASH
I WALK THE LINE
Columbia CS-8990June/1964
Produced by Don Law & Frank Jones
Luther Perkins - lead guitarNorman Blake - ac.guitar/dobro
Bob Johnson, Jack Clement - rh.guitar
Marshall Grant - bass
W.S. Holland - drums
Bill Pursell - piano
Don Helms - steel
Karl Garvin, Bill McElhiney - trumpet
Rufus Long - flute
Vocal accompaniment by The Carter Family
Recorded:
June 13/1963, Columbia Studio, Nashville (9)
Sept 18/1963, Columbia Studio, Nashville (2,6)
Nov 12/1963, Columbia Studio, Nashville (7)
March 4/1964, Columbia Studio, Nashville (1,3,4,5,8,11,12)
March 5/1964, Columbia Studio, Nashville (10)
1.
I WALK THE LINE
(Johnny Cash) « © '56 House Of Cash, BMI »Mhm I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine I walk the line
Mhm I find it very very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine I walk the line
Mhm as sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine I walk the line
Mhm you've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine I walk the line
Mhm I keep a close watch...
**********
2.
BAD NEWS
(John D. Loudermilk) « © '63 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »Ha ha ha here come ol' bad news ha ha
Well bad news travels like wild fire good news travels slow
They all call me Wildfire ha ha cause ev'erybody knows
I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go
Always gettin' into trouble and a leavin' little girls that hate to see me go
They tried to hang me in Oakland and they did in Francisco
But I wouldn't choke I broke their rope and they had to let me go
Cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go
Always gettin' into trouble and a leavin' little girls that hate to see me go
Now from north to south east to west the story is the same
From one state to another I have to change my name
Cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go
Always gettin' into trouble and a leavin' little girls that hate to see me go
[ dobro ] Well now I've picked peaches in Georgia I lumberjacked in Maine
I've been hired fired and jailed in any town you can name
Cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go
Always gettin' into trouble and a leavin' little girls that hate to see me go
**********
3.
FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
(Johnny Cash) « © '56 House Of Cash, BMI »I hear the train a comin' it's rollin'around 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 babe 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
[ guitar ] I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dinin' car
They're prob'ly 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
[ guitar ] 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
**********
4.
GIVE MY LOVE TO ROSE
(Johnny Cash) « © '57 House Of Cash, BMI »I found him by the railroad track this mornin'
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dyin' fella said
He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
For ten long years I paid for what I done
I was tryin' to get back to Louisiana
To see my Rose and get to know my son
Give my love to Rose please won't you Mister
Take her all my money tell her buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose
[ guitar ] Won't you tell 'em I said thanks for waitin' for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
Cause it ain't right that she should live alone
Mister here's the bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for findin' me this mornin'
Now don't forget to give my love to Rose
Give my love to Rose please won't you Mister...
**********
5.
HEY PORTER
(Johnny Cash) « © '55 House Of Cash, BMI »Hey porter hey porter would you tell me the time
How much longer will it be till we cross that Mason Dixon Line
At daylight would you tell that engineer to slow it down
Or better still just stop the train cause I wanna look around
Hey porter hey porter what time did you say
How much longer will it be till I can see the light of day
When we hit Dixie would you tell that engineer to ring his bell
And ask ev'rybody that ain't asleep to stand right up and yell
[ guitar ] Hey porter hey porter it's gettin' light outside
This ol' train is puffin' smoke and I have to strain my eyes
But ask that engineer if he will blow his whistle please
Cause I smell frost on cotton leaves and I feel that southern breeze
Hey porter hey porter please get my bags for me
I need nobody to tell me now that we're in Tennessee
Go tell that engineer to make that lonesome whistle scream
We're not so far from home so take it easy on the steam
[ guitar ] Hey porter hey porter please open up the door
When they stop this train I'm gonna get off first cause I can't wait no more
Go tell that engineer I say thanks a lot and I didn't mind the fare
I'm gonna set my feet on southern soil and breathe that southern air
**********
6.
I STILL MISS SOMEONE
(Johnny Cash - Ray Cash Jr) « © '58 House Of Cash, BMI / Unichappell Music, BMI »At my door the leaves are fallin'
A cold wild wind will come
Sweethearts walk by together
And I still miss someone
Oh no I never got over those blue eyes
I see them everywehere
I miss those arms that held me
When all of the love was there
I wonder if she's sorry
For leavin' what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere
And I still miss someone
[ dobro ] Oh no I never got over those blue eyes...
I wonder if she's sorry...
I still miss someone
**********
7.
UNDERSTAND YOUR MAN
(Johnny Cash) « © '64 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »Don't call my name out your window when I'm leavin'
I won't even turn my head
Don't send your kinfolks to give me no talkin'
I'll be gone like I said
You'd say the same ole thing that you been sayin' all along
Lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut till I'm gone
Don't give me that old familiar cry and cuss and moan
Understand your man
I'm tired of your bad mouthin understand your man
[ dobro + trumpets ] You can give my other suits to the Salvation Army
And ev'rything else I leave behind
I ain't takin' nothin' that'll slow down my travelin'
While I'm untanglin' my mind
I ain't gonna repeat what I said anymore
While I'm breathin' air that ain't been breathed before
I'll be as gone as a wild goose in winter
Then you'll understand your man
Mediate on it understand your man
You hear me talkin' honey understand your man
Remember what I told you understand your man
**********
8.
WRECK OF THE OLD 97
(Johnny Cash - Bob Johnson - Norman Blake) « © '57 Unichappell Music, BMI / Slapich Music, BMI »Well they give him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Sayin' Steve you're way behind time
This is not 38 this is old 97 you must put her into Spencer on time
Then he turned around and said to his black greasy fireman
Shovel on a little more coal
And when we cross that White Oak Mountain watch ole 97 roll
[ guitar ] But it's a mighty rough road from Lynchburg to Danville
In a line on a three mile grade
It was on that grade that he lost his air brakes see what a jump he made
He was goin' down the grade makin' ninety miles an hour
His whistle broke into a scream
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle
A scalded to death by the steam
[ dobro ] Then a telegram come to a Washington station and this is how it read
Oh that brave engineer that run ole 97 he's a layin' in ole Danville dead
So now all you ladies you better take a warnin' from this time on and learn
Never speak harsh words to your true lovin' husband
He may leave you and never return
**********
9.
STILL IN TOWN
(Harlan Howard - Hank Cochran) « © '62 Tree Publishing, BMI »To love you so and still not have you will destroy me in time
So I'm goin' away where nobody knows me and get you off of my mind
I've packed my things a dozen times but unpack is all I do
Yes I'm still in town still around and still in love with you
I made it to the edge of town and turned around
I made it to the bridge downtown but my nerve let me down
I try to go but how can I leave when all roads lead to you
Yes I'm still in town still around and still in love with you
[ piano - steel ] I made it to the edge of town...
**********
10.
BIG RIVER
(Johnny Cash) « © '57 House Of Cash, BMI »Now I taught the weepin' willow how to cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I met her accidentaly in St Paul Minnesota
And it tore me up ev'ry time I heard her drawl southern drawl
Then I heard my dream went back downstream cavortin' in Davenport
And I followed you Big River when you called
[ guitar ] Then you took me to St Louie later on down the river
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone boy she's gone
I found her trail in Memphis but she just walked up the bluff
She raised a few eyebrows and then went on dawn alone
Now won't you bat it down by Boton Rouge River Queen roll it on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans New Orleans
Go on I've had enough dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you Big River more than me
[ guitar ] Now I taught the weepin' willow how to cry cry cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
And I'm gonna sit right here until I die
**********
11.
GOODBYE LITTLE DARLIN' GOODBYE
(Gene Autry - Johnny Marvin)« © '40 Western Music, ASCAP »
Goodbye little darlin' we're parting
Parting don't always mean goodbye
Although we have to part you're always in my heart
Goodbye little darlin' goodbye
[ dobro ] Goodbye little darlin' I'll miss you miss you
Like the stars would miss the sky
I hate to see you go I'm gonna miss you
So goodbye little darlin' goodbye
[ guitar ] Goodbye little darlin' I love you
Love you until the day I die
Would you dream a dream of me wherever you may be
Goodbye little darlin' goodbye
**********
12.
TROUBLESOME WATERS
(Maybelle Carter - Dixie Dean) « © '64 Scruggs Music, BMI »Troublesome waters much blacker than night
Are hiding from view the harbor's bright lights
Tossed in the turmoil of life's stormy sea
I cry to my Saviour have mercy on me
Then gently I'm feelin' the touch of his hands
Guiding my boat in safely to land
Leading the way to heaven's bright shore
Troublesome waters I'm fearing no more
[ guitar ] Troublesome waters around me do roll
They're rockin' my boat and wreckin' my soul
Loved ones are driftin' and livin' in sin
The treacherous whirlpools are pullin' them in
Then gently I'm feelin' the touch of his hands...
[ guitar ] When troublesome waters are rollin' so high
I'll lift up my voice and to heaven I'll cry
My Lord I am trusting give guidance to me
And steady my boat on life's troubled sea
Then gently I'm feelin' the touch of his hands...
**********
