johnny cash
July 1955, Cash walked into the Sun Studio, Memphis and told them «I've got a new song here. I borrowed a few lines». They didn't mind, and put his name solely on the label. Actually nobody minded, until 13 years later, when the song became a world wide hit after successful "At Folsom Prison" performance and album.
NOW Gordon Jenkins claimed a copyright infringement according to his "Seven Dreams" concept album from 1953, referring to Beverly Maher singing the third part of "The Conductor", called "Crescent City". He was silently payed off - most probably with a lot more cash than he ever made from his obscure production. But rip-off? Sure it was. Fortunately.
This is a typical "boom-chicka-boom" song. The story behind the "boom-chicka-boom" style I've summed up HERE.
I hear the train a comin' • it's rolling 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 blowing I hang my head and cry
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
they're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars
well I know I had it coming • I know I can't be free
but those people keep a movin' and that's what tortures me
well if they'd free me from this prison • if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little further 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
I hear the train a-comin • it's rolling 'round the bend
and I ain't been kissed lord since I don't know when
the boys in Crescent City don't seem to know I'm here
that lonesome whistle seems to tell me "Sue disappear"
when I was just a baby my mama told me "Sue
when you're grown up I want that you should go and see and do
but I'm stuck in Crescent City just watching life mosey by
when I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
I see the rich folks eatin' in that fancy dining car
they're probably having pheasant breast and eastern caviar
now I ain't crying envy and I ain't crying me
it's just that they get to see things that I've never seen
if I owned that lonesome whistle • if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd find a man a little farther down the line
far from Crescent City is where I'd like to stay
and I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
E I hear the train a comin' it's rolling round the bend E E7 and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when A A7 E I'm stuck in Folsom prison and time keeps draggin' on B7 E but that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
