I got so excited writing the songs in this album that you'd think I just started in the music business. It's something I always wanted to do, write an album of all my own songs and for some reason, I just never got around to it. One reason, I suppose, is that I have so many friends that are good song writers and their songs just kept on coming along.
But it seemed like in the last year or two, these songs started bubbling out of me more than ever and I started putting down everything that came out. I sang them for my family and my friends, and all they had to do was say they liked one and I'd go write another one. I've been doing things I did twenty years ago, jumping up in the middle of the night, grabbing a piece of paper in the dark, writing down a line or two so I wouldn't forget it tomorrow, and I found myself actually finishing all the songs that I started. It was like I was about to audition my own songs for the first time and I'd grab every passing thought, every catchy phrase and put it down. And there were times I even took my guitar to the; supper table. I was working so hard on a song, I didn't want to give it up even for a few minutes. So while I ate with my family, I worked on the song at the same time and they cut my songs to pieces. I have an understanding with my wife and girls. They shoot straight with me on what they like and what they don't like concerning my songs.
Some of them came easy, within a matter of minutes or an hour at the most. But on some of them, I wrung my mind, I bit the pen and I walked the floor and the songs didn't want to come. But they finally did, they all came together. So I guess you'd say they are some of my most profound, passing thoughts.
There was one of them, "Ragged Old Flag," that I didn't even have any control over. It came out faster than I could write it down. You've heard of people who write songs in ten minutes. "Ragged Old Flag'? was one of those songs. Then I recorded it at a Columbia luncheon at the House of Cash and the applause is from the Columbia Record people who were in convention there. Chuck Cochran arranged the most unusual orchestration (and Earl Scruggs played the banjo).
On the other eleven songs, we went into the studio with the Tennessee Three, Carl Perkins, Charlie McCoy, Ray Edenton, and I talked the Oak Ridge Boys into coming and singing on a couple of them. No wild, weird sounds, no extra icing, I recorded them the way I felt them.
And I sang them for you, making believe that you were one of those that were sitting down to dinner with me when I took my guitar to the supper table.
JOHNNY CASH
THE RAGGED OLD FLAG
Columbia KC-32917April 5/1974
Produced by Johnny Cash & Charlie Bragg
Recorded:1974, Columbia Recording Studio, Nashville
1.
RAGGED OLD FLAG
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench an old man was sittin' there
I said your ol' courthouse is kinda run down
He siad naw it'll do for our little town
I said your ol' flagpole has leaned a little bit
And that a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it
He said have a seat and I sat down
Is this the first time you've been to our little town
I said I think it is he said I don't like to brag
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Ol' Flag
You see we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across Delaware
And it got powder burned the night that Francis Scott Key
Sat watchin' it writin' Say Can You See
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams
And it almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag but she waved on though
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville and she got cut again at Shiloh Hill
There was Robert E Lee Beauregard and Bragg
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Ol' Flag
On Flanders Field in World War I she got a big hole from a Bertha gun
She turned blood red in World War II she hung limp and low by time or two
She was in Korea Vietnam she went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
And now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
In her own good land here she's been abused
She's been burned dishonored denied refused
And the government for which she stands is scandalized throughout the land
And she's gettin' threadbare and she's wearin' thin
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in
Cause she's been through the fire before and I believe she can take a whole lot more
So we raise her up ever morning we take her down ev'ry night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought I do like to brag cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Ol' Flag
**********
2.
DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Don't go near the water children see the fish all dead upon the shore
Don't go near the water cause the water isn't water anymore
From the fountains in the mountains comes the water runnin' cool and clear and blue
And it comes down from the hills and it goes down to the towns and passes through
When it gets down to the cities then the water turns into a dirty grey
Cause it's poisoned and polluted by the people as it goes along its way
Don't go near the water children...
I was sittin' on the bank of the lake at home fishin' with my little boy
I said have you got a bite yet son
He said no sir have you daddy I said I believe I got a nibble
He said daddy if we catch a fish can we cook 'em and eat 'em
I said maybe we better not son
They say it may not be safe to eat a fish in this water anymore
Don't go near the water children...
Don't go near the water children...
Don't go near the water children...
**********
3.
ALL I DO IS DRIVE
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Well I asked an ole truckdriver about life out on the road
If he does a lotta singin' when he's bringin' in his load
If there's a pretty waitress cryin' for him ev'ry hundred miles
If he gets a lotta lovin' if he has a lot of smiles
And I asked him if those truckin' songs tell about a life like his
He said if you wanna know the truth about it here's the way it is
All I do is drive drive drive try to stay alive
And keep my mind on my load keep my eye upon the road
I got nothin' in common with any man who's home ev'ry day at five
All I do is drive drive drive drive drive drive
[ guitar ] Well we shared a cup of coffee then I had to warm it up
And his greasy fingers trembled as he held onto the cup
And I said don't you hear a lot of music see a lot of sights
Well if you'll tune into the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night
I will dedicate you a truckin' song to which you can relate
He said you just do the singin' and I'll do the drivin' mate
All I do is drive drive drive try to stay alive...
If I can get the fuel fuel
**********
4.
SOUTHERN COMFORT
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
I've been a thrill seekin' rambler and of'en came into this town
But the thrills were too high for my little sky so I dug in and I've settled down
And I got a good job in Nashville no way they can pay me enough
For grindin' up tobacco leaves makin' brut and snuff
Southern comfort is killin' me I'm slowly chokin' in Tennessee
I shovel the snuff until late afternoon
Then I crawl with the traffic and I choke on its fumes
And fall on my face when I get to my room southern comfort is killin' me
I met a woman in Nashville for a while we were carryin' on
She'd washed the snuff out of my shirts ev'ry night
And keep me with clean ones on
But I guess she got tired of tobacco at least of the regular kind
Now I'm still workin' where nicOtine and memories're burnin' my mind
And southern comfort is killin' me the Cumberland cannot en Hermitage be
I'm sniffin' and dippin' and livin' alone
I smell funny smoke and I know where she's gone
She's in Sunner county now growin' her own
Southern comfort is killin' me southern comfort is killin' me
**********
5.
KING OF THE HILL
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
(If you gonna be king of the hill you can't make it at the cotton mill)
If you gonna be king of the hill you can't make it at the cotton mill
Get put on at the Harlan mine be the last one out at quittin' time
Be already workin' when the whistle blew never complain about a job to do
When they say who can you say I will if you ever gonna be king of the hill
(If you gonna be king of the hill you can't make it at the cotton mill)
You need a good woman to share your bed to keep you loved and to keep you fed
To help you to face another day to get you up and on your way
Where the golden rule don't rule out true you do them before they do to you
Watch out for yourself or nobody will if you ever gonna be king of the hill
(If you gonna be king of the hill you can't make it at the cotton mill)
Saturday night you go to Harlan town you shoot some pool and you fool around
You watch the girls and you drink bootleg you'd starved to death before you'll beg
You trust in luck till your luck is gone then jump right in and you hang right on
There may be times you would have to kill if you ever gonna be king of the hill
(If you gonna be king of the hill you can't make it at the cotton mill)
When the last of the coal's out of ev'ry vein and long been gone an the northbound train
Walk up to the top and if you're standing still you can call yourself king of the hill
But if you fall like a lot have done by accident or knife or gun
When they lay you high on the mountain still you can call yourself king of the hill
(If you gonna be king of the hill) you can't make it at the cotton mill
**********
6.
PIE IN THE SKY
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
From the day of your birth it's bread and water here on earth
To a child of light to a child of light
But there'll be pie in the sky by and by when I die
And it'll be alright it'll be alright
There'll be pie in the sky by and by when I die
And it'll be alright it'll be alright
Sometimes I doubt and fear that I've really gained salvation here
For it's out of sight for it's out of sight
But there'll be pie in the sky...
He said if I do his will there's a promise he'd fullfill
And he's gone now to prepare me a mansion up there
And there'll be pie in the sky by and by when I die...
There'll be pie in the sky by and by when I die...
There'll be pie in the sky by and by when I die...
**********
7.
LONESOME TO THE BONE
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
On the park bench I slept on raindrops are fallin' on the newspapers coverin' me
I hear early mornin' motors and I know the world is wakin' for the dawn
But my mind's down in dark alley somewhere where last night you loved me
And in the early mornin' chill my arms remember still
But I'm droppin' like a stone lonesome to the bone
The sun is roughly risin' on the roofs of stagger town
The time for sweatin' poison out is just now comin' round
The high time of last midnight is over with and gone
Leavin' me to be lonesome to the bone
[ guitar ] I walk the way the wind blows and any way the wind goes will be good enough for me
The streets are loud and crowded but I walk my weary way lost and alone
Your hot breath and your laughter keep flashin' through my mind to warm me
But the naked light of day soon makes it fade away
And I'm droppin' like a stone lonesome to the bone
The sun is roughly risin' on the roofs of stagger town...
**********
8.
WHILE I'VE GOT IT ON MY MIND
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Layin' round home with a ballgame on feelin' fairly fine
Blackberry jam is cookin' in the pan and the jam and the cook are mine
I like my honey from the hives of home and berries from my ole vine
And I like to get my lovin' while I've got it on my mind
My dog is asleep at my barefeet it's a good day for layin' around
Just her and me and it's Saturday ev'rybody's gone to town
We've been working hard and she gets tired that puts me in a bind
Cause I like to get my lovin' while I've got it on my mind
Then she looks at me and I can see that ole familiar look
And the jam is sweet as she lowers the heat to give it time to cook
Then I lock the door and I cross the floor to my queen of womankind
Yeah I like to get my lovin' while I've got it on my mind
Now boys don't you be you're ramblin' free and leavin' the girls to cry
Cause the nights get cold and there ain't no gold that'll ever satisfy
And there ain't no joy that'll come to you boys like the kind I've known at times
When I go right on in there and love her while I've got it on my mind
Yeah I like to get my lovin' while I've got it on my mind
**********
9.
GOOD MORNING FRIEND
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
He's not on some golden throne way off in outer space
He's not hidin' out in some big secret hidin' place
I can guarantee he'll be your friend to touch and hold
And I'm qualified to tell it cause I've got it in control
Good mornin' friend good mornin' friend
Ev'ry day's a brand new mornin' since the mornin' you moved in
Good mornin' friend good mornin' friend
Yes I'm feeling like a million since I've got you livin' in
[ guitar ] He'll stand and knock upon your door till you let him inside
He'll be your constant comforter and keep you satisfied
He will make himself avaliable no matter who you are
He'll light your darkest night and be your bright and mornin' star
Good mornin' friend good mornin' friend
Yes I'm feelin' like a million since the mornin' you moved in
Good mornin' friend good mornin' friend
Ask me how I feel this morning and I'm proud to say again
Good mornin' friend good mornin' friend
Yes I'm feelin' like a million since I've got you livin' in
**********
10.
I'M A WORRIED MAN
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Worried man worried man I'm a very worried man
Hungry babies don't understand papa is a worried man
The place I used to draw my pay slammed the door on me today
And told me just to stay away and no come back again
I went back home to break the news my woman saw that I had the blues
But she said the babies need new shoes and I'm a worried man
Worried man worried man I'm a very worried man...
[ guitar ] Well there is no way that I can see that I can feed my family
Cause I don't own no money tree and very little land
But I said mama don't you cry I'll get a job up before the day's gone by
I don't know where though and that is why I'm a worried man
Worried man worried man I'm a very worried man...
Worried man worried man I'm a very worried man...
**********
11.
PLEASE DON'T LET ME OUT
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
I've been in jail eleven years and parole has just come through
The gates will soon swing open wide but I'm not goin' through
Jail's the only home I know or care to know about
Please let me stay where I belong please don't let me out
How could I tell those friends of mine they've seen the last of me
Can't I make you understand I never can be free
Cause that's a big unfriendly world and I don't know the route
That leads to where I may belong please don't let me out
[ guitar ] I had to learn to get along without a lot of things
And I had to learn to live with the loneliness confinement brings
And I learned to take no mail from home or whatever came about
Now I'm dug in and I'm happy here please don't let me out
How could I tell those friends of mine...
Yes that's a big unfriendly world and I don't know the route
That leads to where I may belong please don't let me out
**********
12.
WHAT ON EARTH (WILL YOU DO FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE)
(Johnny Cash)« © '74 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
Did you walk that second mile turn a frown with a smile
Did you give a little more than you could take
Did you shine your little light upon the children of the night
What on earth will you do for heaven's sake
Did you feed the poor in spirit and befriend the persecuted
Did you show the bound how all their chains can break
Did you sow the proper seed would you work out among the weeds
What on earth will you do for heaven's sake
[ guitar ] Did you turn the other cheek are you counted with the meek
Did you lift a lowly heart about to break
Did you also give your cloak to he who took away your coat
What on earth will you do for heaven's sake
Will you feed the poor in spirit and befriend the persecuted...
**********
