J.R. from Arkansas – Part 3

Though he was a good songwriter in own right, during his long career Johnny Cash could take almost anyone’s song and make it his own- such was the strength of his voice and unique gift for finding and interpreting the heart of a song. This became even more evident on Cash’s last few albums when he knew the end was near and wanted to record some of his favorite songs by other artists- including gospel songs from his childhood- before he left this world.

Toward the end, Cash even re-recorded some of his own songs and it’s interesting to hear the young and old versions of classic Cash songs like “Long Black Veil” and “Give My Love to Rose” (I prefer the later versions). There were times when I felt those final American Recordings- death bed recordings- were too morbid and exploitive but I think time has shown that it’s what Cash wanted to do and there’s not a trace of bitterness in the songs. Perhaps as time passes- and we each approach the end in our own way- we will be grateful for the gifts and messages Cash left us.

No matter how rich and famous he became, Cash never forgot where he came from and never shied away from publically professing what he was: a sinner in need of redemption. These past couple of days, I’ve been pondering what Cash sings in “The Wanderer” (a song written by U2): 

They say they want the Kingdom, but they don’t want God in it.

Cash understood that- if nothing else- Christianity means accepting we can’t do anything without God and to believe otherwise is folly (and our original sin). There seem to be fewer and fewer artists who see the world this way but at least we still have Cash’s music and one could do worse than heed his advice to take Jesus as your savior. Here are some more of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. Enjoy!

01. Bob Dylan feat. Johnny Cash – “Girl from the North Country” (1969)

02. Johnny Cash – “The Beast in Me” (1994)

03. Johnny Cash – “Big Iron” (2002)

04. Johnny Cash – “Do Lord” (1993)

05. Johnny Cash – “You Are My Sunshine” (2000)

06. Johnny Cash feat. the Carter Family and The Statler Brothers– “Belshazzar (Live)” (1971)

07. Johnny Cash – “Give My Love to Rose” (2002)

08. Johnny Cash and The Carter Family– “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)” (1962)

09. Johnny Cash – “Delia’s Gone” (1994)

10. Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire” (1963)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...