JOHNNY CASH SINGS HANK WILLIAMS and other favorite tunes
If there is one man who can fill the void left in the hearts of music lovers by the untimely death of Hank Williams, he is Johnny Cash. Only a few years have elapsed since Hank Williams was living - and singing his heart-touching songs. But already he has been accorded that type of immortality which comes to performers who are truly "great". The little people who enjoyed his music were important to Hank, and this is probably why they in turn idolized this man who was the symbol of all the warmth and sincerity and genuine emotion that country music possesses.
Johnny Cash is a singer who makes the same type of appeal which Hank Williams did. Audiences like not only his singing and playing - they like him as a person. They trust him and they sense that Johnny is their friend. It is very appropriate that Johnny Cash should keep alive the music and memory of Hank Williams through this album. Hank Williams fans are almost sure to be Johnny Cash fans, and vice versa. The numbers recorded here are representative of the best of Hank Williams as a songwriter and the best of Johnny Cash as an artist. Included in the album also are some of "Johnny's million sellers" - the choice records that are most in demand by the collectors of Cash records. The popular Gene Lowery Singers provide an added element on several of the selections in the album.
Barbara Barnes
JOHNNY CASH
SINGS HANK WILLIAMS
Sun LP-1245September 15/1960
Produced by Sam Phillips & Jack Clement
Recorded:July 30/1955, Sun Studio, Memphis (7,12)
April/1956, Sun Studio, Memphis (9)
Dec 13/1956, Sun Studio, Memphis (6,10)
July 1/1957, Sun Studio, Memphis (8)
April 9/1958, Sun Studio, Memphis (11)
May 15/1958, Sun Studio, Memphis (1,2,3,4)
1.
I CAN'T HELP IT (IF I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU)
(Hank Williams)« © '51 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
Today I passed you on the street and my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side and he looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealin'
As I brushed your arm and walked so close to you
Then suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
[ guitar ] It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Oh heaven only knows how much I miss you
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
**********
2.
YOU WIN AGAIN
(Hank Williams)« © '52 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
The news is out all over town
That you've been seen out runnin' round
I know that I should leave but then
I just can't go you win again
This heart of mine could never see
What ev'rybody knew but me
Just trusting you was my great sin
What can I do you win again
[ guitar ] I'm sorry for your victim now
Cause soon his head like mine will bow
He'll give his heart but all in vain
And someday say you win again
You have no heart you have no shame
You take true love and give the blame
I guess that I should not complain
I love you still you win again
**********
3.
HEY GOOD LOOKIN'
(Hank Williams)« © '51 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
Hey hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin'
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me
Hey hey sweet baby don't you think maybe
We could find us a brand new recepie
I got a hot rod Ford and a two dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill
There's soda pop and the dancin's free
If you wanna have fun come along with me
Hey hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin'
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me
[ guitar ] I'm free and ready so we can go steady
How's about savin' all your time for me
No more lookin' I know I've been tooken
How's about keepin' steady company
I'm gonna throw my datebook over the fence
Find me one for five or ten cents
Keep it till it's covered with age
Cause I'm writin' your name down on every page
Say hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin'
How's about cookin' somethin' up with me
**********
4.
I COULD NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOU
(Hank Williams)« © '52 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
Ev'rybody says you let me down
I should be ashamed to take you round
Makes no difference what you used to do
darlin' I could never be ashamed of you
Maybe you were reckless yesterday
but together we can find a brighter way
In my heart I know that you'll come through
darlin' I could never be ashamed of you
[ guitar ] All the happiness I've ever known
came the day you said you'd be my own
And it matters not what we go through
darlin' I could never be ashamed of you
Maybe you've been cheated in the past
and perhaps those memories will always last
Even though you prove to be untrue
darlin' I could never be ashamed of you
**********
5.
NEXT IN LINE
(Johnny Cash)« © '57 House Of Cash, BMI »
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'd 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 watch 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
[ guitar ] 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 turn down a few
This ole heart can't take much more a waitin' for your love
I'm tired and we're runnin' short of time
I'll make you love me more than ev'ryone before
It's my time to try cause I'm the next in line
[ guitar ] 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
**********
6.
STRAIGHT A'S IN LOVE
(Johnny Cash)« © '56 Anne Rachel Music, ASCAP / Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »
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 name 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
[ guitar ] 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 sweetic 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...
**********
7.
FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
(Johnny Cash)« © '55 House Of Cash, BMI »
I hear the train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me son
Always be a good boy don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
[ 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
**********
8.
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...
**********
9.
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
[ guitar ] Mhm I find it very very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day's through
Yes I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine I walk the line
[ guitar ] 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
[ guitar ] 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 ever try to turn the tide
Because you're mine I walk the line
[ guitar ] Mhm I keep a close watch...
**********
10.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE
(Leon Payne)« © '49 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
I love you because you understand dear
Ev'ry little thing I try to do
You're always there to lend a halpin' hand dear
But most of all I love you cause you're you
No matter what may be the style or season
I know your love will always see me through
I love you for a hundred thousand reasons
But most of all I love you cause you're you
(Most of all because you're you)
I love you because my heart is lighter
Ev'ry time I'm walkin' by your side
I love you because the future's brighter
The door to happiness you've opened wide
No matter what the world may say about me
I know your heart will always be true
I love you for the way you never doubt me
But most of all I love you cause you're you
**********
11.
COME IN STRANGER
(Johnny Cash)« © '57 House Of Cash, BMI »
She said come in stranger it's good to have you home
I hurried through cause I knew it was you when I saw your dog waggin' his tail
Honey why didn't you let me know by mail you've been gone so long
She said come in stranger I know you're weary from all the miles
Just sit right there in your easy chair and tell me all about the places you've been
How long it'll be before you leave again I hope it's a long long while
She said come in stranger ev'rything around home is fine
I've watched and I've waited for you to get back and I missed you all the time
[ guitar ] She said come in stranger oh how I miss you when you're gone
I walk the floor and I watch the door
And when I lie awake and wonder where you can be
I'd give anything to have you here with me I get so lonesome all alone
She said come in stranger and won't you listen to my plea
Stay long enough so that the one I love is not stranger to me
**********
12.
MEAN EYED CAT
(Johnny Cash)« © '55 House Of Cash, BMI »
I give my woman half of my money at the general store
I said now buy a little groceries and don't spend no more
Then she paid ten dollars for a ten cent hat
And got some store bought cat food for a mean eyed cat
When I give her ten more dollars for a oneway ticket she was mad as she could be
Then I bet ten more if she ever left she'd come a crawlin' back to me
[ guitar ] When I woke up this mornin' and I turned my head
There wadn't a cotton pickin' thing on her side of the bed
I found a little ole note where her head belonged
It said dear John honey baby I'm long gone
When I heard a whisle blowin' and the big wheels a turnin'
I was scared as I could be
I put on my overalls and I headed for town I'm gonna bring her back with me
[ guitar ] I asked a man down the station if he'd seen her there
I told him all about her pretty eyes and long blonde hair
He spit his tobaccer said I'd be dad blamed
I believe I did see her leavin' on an eastbound train
I bought a round trip ticket on an eastbound train I was broke as I could be
But when I come back I gotta buy another ticket gonna bring her back with me
**********
