posted September 12, 2003 08:58 AM         

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030912/ap_on_en_mu/obit_cash_10

MAN IN BLACK
Recorded by Johnny Cash
Writer: Johnny Cash

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black
Why you never see bright colors 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've 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 oughta 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
Believin' that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believin' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right, I know
And things need changin' ev'rywhere 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.

Aw! I'd love to wear a rainbow every day
And tell the world that ev'rything's OK
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back
'Til things are brighter I'm the man in black.

SOURCE: JOHNNY CASH - MAN IN BLACK/1971 COLUMBIA CBS 64331

I`ll never forget the news clips of him singing thin to the soldiers in Viet Nam He`s wearing his now. Thanks for the memories J.C.

juniperb

posted September 12, 2003 09:49 AM         

My favorite was always "Ring of Fire," but his remake of "Hurt" was amazing, sad, and prophetic.

posted September 12, 2003 10:29 AM         

He bridged the generations with his music.

He gave me my first taste of the social & political environment when I was a mere kid with "The Ballad of Ira Hayes". My dad was a muscian and 1/4 Ojibwa and sang & played the song. Made me cry every time

posted September 16, 2003 03:10 PM         

He was a big part of my life growing up. I'll miss him but I'm glad he and June are together again. These are the lyrics to my favorite Johnny Cash song.

"I was a highwayman. Along the coach roads I did ride
With sword and pistol by my side
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
The ******** hung me in the spring of twenty-five
But I am still alive.

I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
But I am living still.

I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide
Where steel and water did collide
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around..I'll always be around..and around and around and
around and around

I fly a starship across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
And I'll be back again, and again and again and again and again.."

posted September 16, 2003 05:37 PM         

Love and Light....LTD

posted November 06, 2003 08:25 AM         

His music lives on

juniperb

posted November 07, 2003 04:57 AM         

after he passed, i came across the best cartoon.....

Cash is standing at the pearly gates.
Peter says to him..
"The big guy always wished he sounded like you....."