1.1 - San Quentin

Recorded : February 24, 1969 @ San Quentin

Comments: I was thinking about you guys yesterday. I've been here three times before, and I think I understand how you feel about some of the things. It's none of my business how you feel about some of the things, and I don't give a damn about how you feel about some of the things. But anyway, I tried to put myself in your place and I believe this is how I would feel about San Quentin

Words:
San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me
You've hosted me since nineteen sixty three
I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen them die
And long ago I stopped askin' why

San Quentin, I hate every inch of you.
You've cut me and have scarred me thru an' thru.
And I'll walk out a wiser weaker man
Mister Congressman why can't you understand

San Quentin, what good do you think you do?
Do you think I'll be different when you're through?
You bent my heart and mind and you wroth my soul,
And your stone walls turn my blood a little cold.

San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell.
May your walls fall and may I live to tell.
May all the world forget you ever stood.
And may all the world regret you did no good.

San Quentin, I hate every inch of you.

1.2 - Folsom Prison Blues

Recorded 1/13/68; Number 1 - Country Charts; Number 32 - Pop Charts

Comments: Since writing Folsom Prison Blues I would estimate that I have preformed that song somewhere between nine and ten thousand times. It's as natural a part of me as breathing. For the last three years, every time I sing it, I think of those faces at Folsom Prison and wonder about those men, if they are still here - Cash 1970

Words:
Well, if they freed me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine,
I bet I'd move on over 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.

1.3 - Ring of Fire

Recorded: March 25, 1963
Peak Chart Position: No. 1 Country, No. 17 Pop

Comments: This song has always been one of John's most requested. It was written by his wife June and Merle Kilgore.

Words:
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of Fire

I fell into a burning ring of Fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went hire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of Fire
The ring of fire

I fell into a burning ring of Fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went hire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of Fire
The ring of fire

The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like our meet
I fell for ya like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild

I fell into a burning ring of Fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went hire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire
The ring of fire

I fell into a burning ring of Fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went hire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of Fire
The ring of fire
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of Fire
The ring of fire

1.4 - Kate

Well I saw you with another
It made me lose my mind
Shot you with my '38
And now I'm doin' time
And you put me here
You put me here
Well there's no way to doubt it
There ain't no two ways about it
As sure as your name's Kate
You put me here

I've been tryin' to tell 'em
That I didn't do no wrong
Only gave you what you been
Deservin' all along
And you put me here
You put me here
There ain't no use denyin'
You done it with your lyin'
As sure as your name's Kate
You put me here

Well the jury found me guilty
They wouldn't hear my plea
I listened as that judge said
Murder in the first degree
And you put me here
You put me here
Well there ain't no need to doubt it
There ain't no two ways about it
As sure as your name's Kate
You put me here

Now the warden and the preacher
They're lettin' me go slow
It won't be long until I'm gone
Just thirteen steps to go
And you put me here
You put me here
There's just one way to figure
Your cheatin' pulled the trigger
As sure as your name's Kate
You put me here
Well there ain't no need to doubt it
There ain't no two ways about it
As sure as your name's Kate
You put me here

Kate, you just plain bad, you know that...

1.5 - Man In Black

Recorded February 16, 1971
Number 3 - Country Charts;
Number 58 - Pop Charts

Comments: "We were right in the middle of the Vietnam War, and I found myself with a social conscience. I'd toured and traveled all over Europe, and then we went to the Orient. Then we went to Taiwan and I saw the men that had been shot up and burnt in the Vietnam War. I came back and, I don't know, people had been asking me why I wear black all the time, and I just decided I'd answer them by pointing up some problems and some things that needed doing&emdash;some changes that needed to be made in our country&emdash;and pointed the finger at myself as one of those responsible for doing it. I wasn't pointing at others; I was pointing at me, too. I tried to answer why I wear black in that way, by pointing up&emdash;I wear it, you know, because I'm concerned, and I care." JRC 1980

Words:
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colours on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a sombre tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner, who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones, who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man in Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man in Black.

1.6 - Orange Blossom Special

Look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
Hey, look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
It's the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back

Well, I'm going down to Florida
And get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe Californy
And get some sand in my shoes
I'll ride that Orange Blossom Special
And lose these New York blues

"Say man, when you going back to Florida?"
"When am I goin' back to Florida?
I don't know, don't reckon I ever will."
"Ain't you worried about getting your nourishment in New York?"
"Well, I don't care if I do-die-do-die-do-die-do-die"

Hey talk about a-ramblin'
She's the fastest train on the line
Talk about a-travellin'
She's the fastest train on the line
It's that Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line

 

2.1 - A Thing Called Love

Six foot six he stood on the ground, he weighted 235 pounds
But I saw that giant of a man brought down to his knees by love
He was the kind of man that would gamble on luck
Look you in the eye and never back up
But I saw him crying like a little whipped pup because of love

You can't see it with your eyes, hold it in your hands
But like the whim that covers our land
Strong enough to rule the heart of every man, this thing called love

It can lift you up, never let you down
Take your world and turn it all around
Ever since time nothing's ever been found that’s stronger than love

Most men are like me. They worry and doubt
They trouble their minds day in and day out
Too busy with livin' to worry about a little word like love

But when I see a mother's tenderness
As she holds her young close to her breast
Then I thank God that the world's been blessed with the thing called love

You can't see it with your eyes, hold it in your hands
But like the whim that covers our land
Strong enough to rule the heart of every man, this thing called love

It can lift you up, never let you down
Take your world and turn it all around
Ever since time nothing's ever been found that’s stronger than love
Ever since time nothing's ever been found that’s stronger than love

2.2 - A Boy Named Sue

Recorded: February 24, 1969 @ San Quentin

Comment: I hadn't even had the chance to learn the lyrics. I thought then and I still think that it is the most cleverly written song that I have ever heard, and the rendition that you hear is that same one and only recording where I was reading the words off as I sang it. Maybe the recording doesn't have a lot of polish, but it sure has a lot of honesty -Cash 1970

Words:

My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me ``Sue."

Well, he must o' thought that is was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk,
It seems I had to fight my whole life through.
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named ``Sue.''

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man that give me that awful name.

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry,
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
At an old saloon on a street of mud,
There at a table, dealing stud,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me ``Sue.''

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.
He was big and bent and gray and old,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said: ``My name is `Sue!' How do you do! Now you gonna die!!''

Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down but, to my surprise,
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.

I tell ya, I've fought tougher men
But I really can't remember when,
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.

And he said: ``Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I know I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's that name that helped to make you strong.''

He said: ``Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye Cause
I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you `Sue.'''

I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I come away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him Bill or George!
Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!

2.3 – Bonanza

The plain we hold is as good as gold, Bonanza,
Hand in hand we built this land, the Ponderosa Ranch.
Our birth right is this Cartwright Bonanza,
We here belong and stand in strong, wrong ain't got a chance.

Day by day, work or play, ready side by side,
Hello, friend, come on in, the gate is open wide!

Bound to be a-fightin' free, Bonanza,
Swinging pines of boundery lines for the Ponderosa Ranch.

Every tree and flower is part of our Bonanza,
The stars at night, the morning light, water in the dregs.
We ride along, four man strong, together,
Every plain and ridge is our heritage, the Ponderosa Ranch.

Day by day, work or play, ready side by side,
Hello, friend, come on in, the gate is open wide!
Bound to be a-fightin' free, Bonanza,
Swinging pines of boundery lines for the Ponderosa Ranch.

2.4 - Jackson

Both: We got married in a fever, hotter than a 'Pepper Sprout'
Both: We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out
John: I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess a- round
John: Yea! I'm goin' to Jackson, look out Jackson town.

June: Well, go on down to Jackson, go ahead and wreck your health
June: Go play our hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself
June: Yea! Go to Jackson, go comb your hair
John: "Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson."
June: "See if I care."

John: When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow
June: (Hah!)
John: All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how
John: I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat
John: 'Cause, I'm goin' to Jackson
June: Goodbye, that's all she wrote.

June: But they'll laugh at you in Jackson
June: And I'll be dancin' on a 'Pony Keg'
June: They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound
June: With your tail tucked between your legs
June: Yea! Go to Jackson, you big-talkin' man
June: And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my 'Ja(y)-pan Fan'.

Both: We got married in a fever, hotter than a 'Pepper Sprout'
Both: We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went
Both: I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around
Both: Yea! I'm goin' to Jackson, look out Jackson town.

We got married in a fever, hotter than a 'Pepper Sprout' (FADE)
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went...

2.5 - I Walk the Line

Recorded 4/2/56

Comments: "This is an idea I got today, I said.”I want to write a song that has something to say. A song that will have a lot of meaning not only for me, but for everybody who hears it.- that says I'm going to be true not only to those who believe in me and depend on me, but to myself and to God- a song that might give courage to others as well as myself" Carl said, "That's a good idea. What will you call it?" "I don't know," I said, Something like I'm still being true or I'm Walking the Line or some such thing" "I walk the Line would be a good title,"Carl said. .....The lyrics came as fast as I could write, and in twenty minutes I had it finished" -Man In Black 1975

Words:

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

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

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

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

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

2.6 - Give My Love To Rose

Recorded 7/1/57

Words:

I found him by the railroad track this morning
I could see that he was nearly dead
I knelt down beside him and I listened
Just to hear the words the dying fellow said

He said they let me out of prison out in Frisco
For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
I was trying 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 to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Want you tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
Tell my boy to help his mom at home
Tell my Rose to try to find another
For it ain't right that she should live alone

Mister here's a bag with all my money
It won't last them long the way it goes
God bless you for finding me this morning
And don't forget to give my love to Rose

Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
Take her all my money; tell her to buy some pretty clothes
Tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
And don't forget to give my love to Rose