Johnny Cash Album

(Jack Wesley Routh)

I sang your song before you ever came along but that don't mean I'll sing along
I've never waltzed the home sweet home but I will dance with you
I'd spread my wings before you ever learned to fly like flocks of wild geese in
the sky
See one more shore before they die I will fly with you
With you I'll dream before we ever fall asleep the dreams you always hope to
keep
And though they may fall to our feet I will dream with you

I'd drink your wine and taste the sweetness of your fine
And if I haven't aged with time before the days begin to twine I will age with
you
I sang your song before you ever came along but that don't mean I'll sing along

(Guy Clark)

The old gunfighter stood on the porch and stared into sun
And relived all the old days back when he was livin' by the gun
When deadly games of pride were played and livin' was mistakes not made
And he thought of the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
The thought of the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke

And it's always keep your back to the sun
And he can almost feel the weight of that gun
And it's faster than snakes or a blink of the eye
And it's a time for all slow men to die
His eyes get squinty and he's straight as log
and he empties his gun at the dirty dog
And he's hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Hit by the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke

Now the burn of a bullet is only a scar
And he's back in his chair in front of a bar
And the streets're empty and the blood's all dried
The dead 're dust and and the whiskey's inside
So buy him a drink and lend him an ear
He's nobody's fool and he's the only one here
Who remembers the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Remember the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke

Said I stood in that street before it was paved
I learned the shoot or be shot before I could shave
And I did it all for the money and the fame
Noble was nothing but feelin' no shame
And nothing was sacred but stayin' alive
And all that I learned from a Colt 45
Was to cuss the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
Cuss the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke

Now he's just an old man that nobody believes
Says he's a gunfighter the last of this breed
And there's ghosts in the street seekin' revenge
Callin' him out to the lunatic fringe
He's out in the traffic down checking the sun
And he's killed by a car as he goes for his gun
So much for the smell of the black powder smoke
And the stand in the street at the turn of a joke
So much for the smell of the black powder smoke

(Terry Stephen Smith)
(with June Carter)

I believe my steps are growin' wearier each day
Still I got another journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leavin' you behind
But if it proves to be his will that I am first to cross
And somehow I'll be feelin' it will be
When it comes your times to travel like wise don't feel lost
For I will be the first one that you'll see
And I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I'll be sitting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with the shout
And come running through the shallow water reaching for your hand

Through this life we labor hard to earn our meager fare
It's brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
So I'll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come then we'll see paradise
And I'll be waiting...

(Johnny Cash)

(I resently went to a big homecomin' celebration
In Cleveland County Arkansas where I was born
Whole family went down and there was a great day for us
I felt like this day was special especially for my mother and my daddy
Though it was daddy's and mama's homecomin'
And I was so proud of 'em ridin' that carriage
Down the Main Street of Rison Arkansas
Sometimes the songs I write sound like talkin' about myself
But actually in some of these songs
Especially this one I'm writin' about my daddy)

Ridin' on the Cotton Belt Cleveland County's where I long to be
I got onto Brinkley and every mile I make is a memory
This boxcar's cold and windy and the dust goes around in circles in the air
But my hard times are behind me and I'm returnin' home so I don't care
And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt railroad line
In the pitchin' rolling rhythm and the noise
Railroad men are friends of mine and I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt boys

Ridin' on the Cotton Belt across that little river called Saline
That's where I went fishin' and I hunted in her bottoms as a teen
Now just ahead's a farmhouse and in the kitchen window there's a light
And I've just got fourteen dollars but I'm taking it myself home tonight
And I'm ridin' on the Cotton Belt...

Jumpin' off the Cotton Belt ain't easy when she's going forty per
But I see my wife standin' there hoping that I'm coming home to her
I got a few new cuts and bruises but this old working hobo's made a home
So long to your Cotton Belt thank you for the ride keep rolling on

(Tom T. Hall)

Well I woke up this morning I had something on my face
It was still there when I brushed my teeth still there when I shaved
I showed it to my neighbor and he broke into a grin I gave it away I gave it
away
Smiles don't cost money give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say give it away give it away

I woke up this morning with a song in my heart
I hummed it all through coffee and it gave my day a start
I took my song to work with me and I sang it for my friend
I gave it away I gave it away
Yes Jesus loves me give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say give it away give it away
[ guitar - piano ]
Don't think people do not care I know they care a lot
Don't be bashful of somebody give it all you've got
Understandin' means more than you ever thought it could to give it away give it
away
Love someone sometime give it away give it away
Maybe all you have is just a kind word you can say give it away give it away

(Mac Davis)

You're so close to me your body and your soul're now a part of me
We are one now no one could ever know just what you are to me
You're so close to me your deepest darkest secrets all belong to me
I am you you are me you're so close to me

And in the morning I can look into your eyes and know your feelings
We can talk to one another without speaking
And if it's lovin' that you're gonna know it your sweet eyes show it every
morning
You're so close to me...

And in the evening I can feel your gentle softness without touchin' you
I don't need another thing I've got so much in you
And if it's lovin' that you're gonna give it I'm gonna live it every evening

(Johnny Cash)

Well I was hangin' round the bus station mindin' my own business like I always
do
When I saw this waitress in this bus station cafe
And I thought I check out the action like I always do
I'd give her the bad eye and made a few choices personal comments
About what I thought mine and her possibilities could be for a team
When she called the badge on me
The badge grabbed me by the arm and he said
What are you doin' hangin' around here for and I said for whatever's goin'
around
City jail city jail like an old scared dog I tuck my tail
I hung my head and not a careless word is said
I gotta sleep on the floor once more at city jail

He said no what I mean is what are you doin' sayin' things like that to that
lady
And I said what's that lady's doin' with purple hair
Well the badge said you're smart alec and I said no I ain't I'm just hungry
And he said you're actin' like a smart alec
And I said no that's how I act when I get hungry
City jail city jail...

Well he put me outside in a dark corner
And before you could say hypocrite he hit me on the head
And I said don't hit me on the head
I can't protect myself with the handcuffs on
Please don't hit me on the head then he hit me again he hit me again he hit me
again
And I said oh oh oh oh oh please don't stand on my feet when you hit me
I break my ankles when I fall
City jail city jail...

Well about that time they threw me in the wagon
And that waitress walked out with a sailor
And I said hey you not you I'm talkin' to the purple people eater
You lady quote you're the cause of it all unquote
Then she said to that sailor said get me away from that horrible man Harry
Well as they hauled me away I said everybody have a nice evening
City jail city jail...

(Johnny Cash)

We never really got right down to talking we couldn't seem to find the place or
time
Distance in the miles between us made us kinda stranger
And it added to the distance already there between our minds
And Cindy I love you yes I love you yes I love you
And when I can't think of anything to say
Don't be readin' something in my mind that isn't there
Remember Cindy I love you anyway
[ guitar ]
I look at you and wonder what you're thinkin'
I'm sure you felt the same a time or two
We must both remember that true love sure costs us nothin'
You just told me your affection and I owed the same to you
And Cindy I love you...

(Johnny Cash)

In a southern town where I was born that's where I got my education
I worked in the fields and I walked in the woods and I wondered at creation
I recall the sun in the skies of blue and the smell of green things growin'
And I lived everyday and I lived anyway anyway the wind was blowin'
But then I heard of a cultured city life breath taking lofty steeples
And the day I called myself a man I left my land and my people

And I rambled north and I rambled east and I tested and I tasted
And a girl or two took me around and around but always left me wasted
In the world that's all concrete and steel with nothin' green ever growin'
Where the buildings hide the risin' sun and stop the free wind from blowin'
Where they sleep all day and they wake all night to a world of drink and
laughter
I met that girl that I thought would be the one that I was after

In a soft blue gown and a formal tux beneath that lofty steeple
He said do you Barbara take this man will you be one of his people
And she said I will and she said I do and the world looked mighty pretty
And we lived in a fancy downtown flat cause she loved the noisy city
Then the days grew cold beneath the yellow sky and I longed for green things
growin'
And I talked of home and my people there but she'd not agreed a goin'

Then her hazel eyes turned away from me with the look that wasn't very pretty
And she turned into concrete and steel and she said I'll take the city
Now the cars go by on the Interstate and my pack is on my shoulder

(Gene Autry - Jimmy Long)
(with Tommy Cash)

In a vine covered shack in the mountains bravely fighting the battle of time
There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow it's that silver haired daddy
of mine

If I could recall all the heartaches dear old daddy I've caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face and bring back the gold to your hair

If God would but grant me the power just to turn back the pages of time
I would give all I own if I could but atone to that silver haired daddy of mine
[ piano ]