Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

DADDY KNEW JOHNNY CASH

In all honesty, I wrote this originally as a Country lyric but it seems to work well enough as a stand-alone item

of verse.  A fond Tribute to the late lamented "Man in Black".

...........................................................................................................

 

I put a lot of sweat into the songs I wrote,

Every last word and every last note,

So it hurt when my Daddy would clear his throat,

And his eyes begin to flash.

 

"Where's the heart and soul?" he'd say to me,

"Here's my advice and it's for free..."

And I'd get it all from A to Zee - but

Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

Oh, they weren't friends - or anything like,

Never met for a beer or went for a hike,

Never stood on a stage and shared a mike - but

Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

Knew every song the Man in Black wrote,

Every last word and every last note,

Could recite every one with a lump in his throat,

Yeah - Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

"The tune's not bad," he'd grudgingly say,

After he'd heard me sing and play,

"It's the person inside you that's wandered away",

Yeah - Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

Now when I get an idea for a song,

I invite my heart and soul along,

And when I do I can't go wrong,

Yeah - Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

I realise when I look back

That he was just leading me

Down the right track

Cos he was in tune with the Man in Black

Yeah - Daddy knew Johnny Cash.

 

Now they're both gone and that don't seem fair,

But they taught me that songs have to care,

And I'll bet up in that Great Somewhere...

Daddy knows Johnny Cash...

Yeah - I'm sure up in that Great Somewhere...

Daddy knows Johnny Cash.

......................................................................................................................

Cash

◄ SUNSET OVER START BAY

WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU GO WHERE YOU DO? ►

Comments

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Wed 12th Oct 2011 20:38

I had it put to a tune of my own devising so I'll see if I can upload the mp3 on this blog.
I have always seen a strong connection between
the rhythm of words in verse and song lyric...
and this is a favourite of mine...modest soul
that I am.
Quite right, John - I am new to this site -
altho' I HAVE been received WOL newsletters via email for some time. Thought I'd post a selection of stuff to keep my hand in!
M.C.

Profile image

John Coopey

Wed 12th Oct 2011 11:38

Thanks for commenting on "Widening the Cicle of Friends". I think the best definition of a "fizzog" is my photo.
You must be a new poster - I hadn't seen your stuff before. I've just got back from holiwags so I'll make a point of looking over it.
Just a point - it seems tailor-made for an audio accompaniment. Could you do it?

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Tue 11th Oct 2011 15:33

I really appreciate the kind comments for this tribute to a great singer/songwriter/poet. And thanks Laura for the info. about Alabama 3. I don't know this band and must do some homework to see if I can locate the song you mention. I did have a recording made (on CD demo) & if I can find a way of uploading it to WriteLoud,I will. I thought better than to use my own voice on it though! As another great star says: A man's gotta know his limitations! Thanks again...M.C.

Profile image

Isobel

Tue 11th Oct 2011 14:07

I enjoyed this too. It's a shame there's no recording. It sounds very lyrical and would perform well.

Profile image

Laura Taylor

Tue 11th Oct 2011 10:39

I'm a huge JC fan and yup - it totally has the rhythm of one/loads of his songs! I really like this.

Have you heard of a band called Alabama 3? They did a tribute song to JC which was made up of loads of his song titles, clever stuff - it's called Hello I'm Johnny Cash. Bloody brilliant.

Profile image

Greg Freeman

Tue 11th Oct 2011 06:59

Enjoyed this; sounds very much in the spirit of A Boy Named Sue. That eternal theme of trying to win a parent's approval.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message