johnny cash
This song is recorded by Johnny for both Columbia Records and Sun Records. The same way. A melody line, very simple, as usual performed by Luther Perkins. A very simple vocal on top and Marshall Grant playing bass. This song is so straight forward "Cash-beat" or "boom-chicka-boom" as possible. Thus I include it in my collection. A note upon that style I've left HERE.
First release was Sun Record Company, July 1957; B-side of single "Home of the Blues". It was re-recorded for the 1964 CBS album "I Walk the Line". It also appears on live album "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison", 1968. The song is widely covered, without special interest.
It was one of the first songs I was able to play ... in the mid-sixties, getting familiar with various kinds of music, and for the first time in my life touched strings by own will; getting a guitar. We had a violin, and I was enforced to play it, but refused. That instrument later showed up to be a Stradivarius Cremonensis, and got off my hand in a burglary. I hope it didn't end up with a barn fiddler.
I got comfortable with this song, and still play it now and then. Thus I give my love to not only Rose, but Johnny, Luther, Marshall ... and Sam Phillips and Jack Clement at the Sun Memphis Studio; genuine founders of this special country music style: let the song sound just as it is.
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 paid for what I'd 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 buy some pretty clothes
tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
and don't forget to give my love to Rose
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
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 morning
now don't forget to give my love to Rose
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G D7 G I found him by the railroad track this morning G D7 G G7 I could see that he was nearly dead C G I knelt down beside him and I listened Am A7 D7 just to hear the words the dying fellow said G D7 G he said "they let me out of prison out in Frisco G D7 G G7 for ten long years I paid for what I'd done C G I was trying to get back to Louisiana D D7 G G7 to see my Rose and get to know my son C G give my love to Rose please won't you mister? D D7 G G7 take her all my money * tell her buy some pretty clothes C G tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him Am D7 G and don't forget to give my love to Rose
