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Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash


Background information
Birth name J. R. Cash
Born February 26, 1932
Born place Kingsland, Arkansas, U.S.
Died September 12, 2003
Death place Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genre(s) Country
Rock'n'Roll
Folk
Gospel
Blues
Americana
Years active 1955—2003
Label(s) Columbia Records
Mercury Records
Legacy Recordings
American Recordings
Sun Records
Associated acts The Highwaymen
The Jordanaires
The Tennessee Three
June Carter Cash
The Statler Brothers
The Carter Family
The Oak Ridge Boys
Area Code 615
Website Website



Music World  →  Lyrics  →  J  →  Johnny Cash  →  Albums  →  The Rambler

Johnny Cash Album


The Rambler (1977)
1977
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. . .


(Johnny Cash)

I woke up this afternoon looked into your eyes
And somethin' was as wrong as if the sun forgot to rise
I picked up a roadmap and I checked a few good places that I know
And if you're no longer givin' I believe I'll hit the road and go
I just got the feelin' that the fire was burnin' out
Cause the air was turnin' colder every time you came about
And a flame won't take a fannin' if the last reserve of love is runnin' low
So since I've gotta button up I believe I'll hit the road and go
Country road 6-40 state highway 45 life out of the interstate is very much alive
There's magic in the mountains and music in the valleys down below
And my song ain't through playin' yet so I believe I'll hit the road and go
Good morning to you sunshine good morning to you rain
The windshield whiper's rhythm keeps me singin' down the pain
Today I'm gonna miss you less if I miss you at all you'll never know you'll
never know
This rambler had cut all the ties and pulled up stakes to hit the road and go
This rambler had cut all the ties and pulled up stakes to hit the road and go

There comes a time in every life when love goes wrong
And sometimes the only thing a man or woman can do is to go
It doesn't matter where or how far what matters is that you're goin'
When love plays out there's still some thing in a man or woman
That cries out for more love for true love for lastin' love
And so it is with the Rambler
Leavin' east coast he rambles his way up to Pittsburg Wheeling
Westward to Ohio Illinois Indiana
His only companion at times is the car radio
The Rambler remembers the other times good times and places along the way
And suspectin' that he won't lose her memory
Knowin' that his love for her will haunt him wherever he goes
He hopes to dull the pain with new experiences new places maybe a new face
A new adventure maybe a new friend a true friend
Near Lafayette Indiana the Rambler pulls off the Interstate
And down through the trees on the left he sees a river
The Rambler pulls into a little roadside park overlookin' the river
The Rambler walks down to the water and discovers he's not alone
[ Rambler ]
Hey how you're doin' you catchin' any
[ Fisherman ]
No
[ Rambler ]
Uh hope I'm not disturbin' you
[ Fisherman ]
No you're not disturbin' me
[ Rambler ]
How's fishin' on this river
[ Fisherman ]
Well I hear about a mile downstream that there toward Lafayette
They catch some good catfish underneath that railroad bridge but it's pretty
crowded down there
It's a little more peaceful here you know
[ Rambler ]
Well I'm not really interested in fishin' I'm just passin' through
[ Fisherman ]
Where you're goin'
[ Rambler ]
Ah nowhere in particular California I guess is the way I'm headed
[ Fisherman ]
That's funny I just came back from California
[ Rambler ]
Really workin' out there
[ Fisherman ]
No no
[ Rambler ]
Your family out there
[ Fisherman ]
Well my woman is
[ Rambler ]
Well I'd say you're a long way from your woman aren't you
[ Fisherman ]
I'll just have to go and try to get her to come back home here but she wouldn't
come
And that's just me and that river there
[ Rambler ]
You know looks like me and you got somethin' in common
[ Fisherman ]
What are you talkin' about
[ Rambler ]
Women we both lost I think
You got the river but I got the highway
And I bet you the highway will take you farther
If you want to run I've got an empty shotgun seat
[ Fisherman ]

. . .


(w/ George Jones)
(Johnny Cash)

I've never been in prison I don't know much about trains
My favorite singer cooks my breakfast I like her fancy and I like her plain
I love bright and flashin' colors like hot pink and dresden blue
But if they ask me if it's true that I still love you I'll say it's true
I'd happy in a mansion or in an old rundown shotgun shack
I like the feel of silk and satin so I don't know why I wear black
I love New York City bet ut your cowgirl boots I do
But if they ask me if it's true that I still love you I'll say it's true
I'll say it's true so don't let it bother you
Just let them old tales all stay twisted I will set 'em straight about you
I have not been in the army I'm an Indian from years ago
When they ask if I know Waylon I tell them I think so
I do not plan on retiring from anything I do
But if they ask me if it's true that I still love you I'll say it's true
I'll say it's true so don't let it bother you
Just let them old tales all stay twisted I will set 'em straight on you
I got plans to keep right on singin' and I do know Emmylou

. . .


(Johnny Cash)

Lady your arms're always warm and your bed was always ready when I came
Lady in the middle of the night
You would open up when you'd hear me call your name
And you were always there to see the turning of my key
And your laughing voice to me was like a song
Lady your spirit's sweet and free it's hanging on with me now that I'm gone
[ piano + strings ]
Lady you spoke softly and kind and you never had a word to criticize
Lady you know I love you so even more than I ever let you be alive
And day or night I knew that I could bring it all to you
And if I was wrong you'd never put me down
Lady so much I could say but I can't find the way to write it down
Can't find the way to write it down

The days and the miles roll by
In Denver the Rambler and the Fisherman are tired of the road
And ready for whatever the city and the night have to offer
They check into a cheap hotel and go right to the bar downstairs
It's Saturday night and the city's alive
They've been in the bar four hours now and it's nearly closin' time
[ Fisherman ]
Hey give me another Coors how about you Angie
[ Bargirl 1 ]
I don't like beer
[ Fisherman ]
Wow man I believe the little lady here wants champagne
[ Bargirl 2 ]
Hey yeah could I have champagne
[ Rambler ]
Do you think we're a couple of bankers here or somethin'
[ Bargirl 1 ]
I like that
[ Fisherman ]
Abracadabra abracadabra Coors you're no longer Coors you're champagne
[ Rambler ]
Man I've had enough of this
[ Bargirl 1 ]
Hey where are you goin'
[ Rambler ]
Good night
[ Bargirl 2 ]
Hey you're not goin' are you you were buyin' me a drink
[ Fisherman ]
Hey give me another Coors
[ Bargirl 1 ]
But I don't like beer
[ Fisherman ]
That ain't beer honey that's Coors
[ Rambler ]
Well the barman's right
Beer the bar girls too much beer I must be seein' things
I saw you sittin' on a barstool lady and I looked up and you were gone
You didn't like beer either did you lady liked champagne neither did you lady
In Denver Colorado fancy town for a fancy lady like you
Hey maybe she's out there somewhere hey lady hahaha
Hey I ran maybe she ran maybe I did see her downstairs
Maybe she's drownin' her blues like I did
Hey maybe I did see her down there havin' a ball somewhere comin' up to me

. . .


(Johnny Cash)

I hear people laughin' on the corner by the square
The neon flickers on my wall and I know you're out there
I'm in your bed and listenin' for your footsteps down the hall
And I'll be waitin' for you after the ball
After the ball is over after the ball
If you cannot stand I've got a place for you to fall
The blinds're drawn and I have turned the clock face to the wall
I'll be waitin' for you after the ball
[ guitar ]
Lovin' you is sweet addiction I need only you
Just as long as you come back go do what you want to do
Give the night your laughter but I'll have you after all
I'll be waitin' for you after the ball
After the ball is over...
After the ball is over...

[ Rambler ]
Good afternoon Mr Coors
Don't wish me that that headache behind my left eye is bad enough...Sunday
[ Fisherman ]
Preachers man I don't need to hear no preachers this mornin'
Where do those guys come off at anyway
[ Rambler ]
Well they ain't all bad
[ Fisherman ]
And they ain't no good
[ Rambler ]
Some people need preachers or somebody to tell 'em right from wrong you know
[ Fisherman ]
Not me man
[ Rambler ]
I don't either I guess but I sure know when I was wrong like last night
Here I am sick sober and sorry again and I promise
[ Fisherman ]
I ain't sorry man I ain't sorry at all
In fact I think I'm gonna have a little Bud there
A little hair of the dog that bid me last night
[ Rambler ]
Hey you know I gotta...how anbout cleanin' the windshield off I gotta drive you
know
[ Fisherman ]
Well
[ Rambler ]
My grandfather was a preacher a country preacher from Carolina
[ Fisherman ]
Yeah and I bet he made a lot of money too
[ Rambler ]
He didn't make any money if he got anything it was earned
He did weddings funerals preached twice a week visited the sick everyday
He was a boyscout master a marriage counselor
[ Fisherman ]
A fighter and wild horse rider and a windmill operator
[ Rambler ]
Hey don't get funny hey how can you criticize preachers
I bet you don't know one single preacher
[ Fisherman ]
Come on man you know as well as I do when they talk holy holy all the time
And everyone of them's got some trash in their closet
There ain't no man that's all good
[ Rambler ]
And no man is all bad either
My grandpa wasn't all talk like I said you know he served the people
He didn't ask for money because he knew them poor people out there didn't have
it
He worked in the fields through the week to support himself side by side
With the people he preached to on Sunday
I guess they believed him on Sunday

. . .


(Johnny Cash)

Come hear me good brothers come here one and all
Don't brag about standing or you'll surely fall
You're shinin' your light yes and shine if you should
You're so heavenly minded and you're no earthly good
No earthly good you are no earthly good
You're so heavenly minded you're no earthly good
You're shinin' your light yes and shine if you should
You're so heavenly minded and you're no earthly good

Come here me good sisters you're salt of the earth
If your salt isn't salted then what is it worth
You could give someone a cool drink if you would
You're so heavenly minded and you're no earthly good
No earthly good you are no earthly good
You're so heavenly minded you're no earthly good
You could give someone a cool drink if you would
You're so heavenly minded and you're no earthly good

If you're holdin' heaven then spread it around
There are hungry hands reaching up here from the ground
Move over and share the high ground where you stood
So heavenly minded and you're no earthly good
No earthly good you are no earthly good
You're so heavenly minded you're no earthly good
Move over and share the high ground where you stood
So heavenly minded and you're no earthly good
No earthly good...

[ Rambler ]
I'm burnin' up you know it must be 110 today
[ Fisherman ]
I wonder how far it is on in to Phoenix I need a rest
[ Rambler ]
Not far I don't think
[ Fisherman ]
You're gonna pick up that cowboy hitchhiker
[ Rambler ]
Hey it's a cowgirl
[ Fisherman ]
Alright hey come on in
[ Cowgirl ]
You all goin' to Phoenix
[ Rambler ]
Hmm headed there were you goin' to Phoenix
[ Cowgirl ]
It didn't matter I just got to get away
[ Fisherman ]
You too
[ Cowgirl ]
Hey do you all ever play the pinball machine
[ Rambler ]
Hey we got a pinball freak
[ Fisherman ]
What are you talkin' about your pinball machine
[ Cowgirl ]
At the truckstop back there I played the blue max for two hours and forty
minutes
[ Rambler ]
Hahaha really
[ Cowgirl ]
The left flipper was broken but I still beat it for eighteen games
[ Fisherman ]
It's gonna be a long day
[ Cowgirl ]
I put two nickels in it and played it for two hours and forty minutes
[ Rambler ]
Aha fantastic that's good honey that's good honey
[ Fisherman ]
Great to hear
[ Cowgirl ]
I picked the machine up real slow and set it on the end of my cowboy boots
It took them balls five minutes to run out
[ Rambler ]
What does that mean what are you talkin' about
Took them balls five minutes to run out
[ Cowgirl ]
Oh you know if you put it on top of the cowboy boots
Then the ball goes real slow and you get to play more games
[ Rambler ]
How do you keep it from tiltin'
[ Cowgirl ]
Well you just have to let it up real easy on the toe
[ Rambler ]
Oh I see
[ Fisherman ]
She's crazy as hell
[ Rambler ]
No doubt about that
[ Cowgirl ]
Hey man what kind of car is this anyway
[ Rambler ]
Well it's a Wednesday car
[ Cowgirl ]
It's a what
[ Rambler ]
It's a Wednesday car
[ Cowgirl ]
I never heard of a Wednesday car
[ Rambler ]
Really it's the best kind yeah I mean it's a good one

. . .



I'm a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling thru this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil, or danger
In that bright world to which I go
I'm going there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home

I know dark clouds will hang 'round me,
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their virgils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan

. . .


(Johnny Cash)

The cowboy's lady is cryin' tonight cause the cowboy is out on the range
Runnin' and ramblin' and chasin' some stray and good cowboys don't ever change
I tried to hold him in the home corral but the grasses were greener outside
So I'm gonna sit here in front of this door
And I've loaded up my cowboy's fourty-four
When the smoke clears there'll be a new brand on his eyes
This is my cowboy's last ride
Oh I hate to see him go but I won't be stayin' home cryin'
I hate to watch him die but this is my cowboy's last ride

Cowboy remembers the old trails we rode and he's back in the saddle tonight
This time I'm lettin' the homefires burn out and I'm leavin' when I blow out his
light
Cause I still remember good waterin' holes and the places that are open and wide
And I have decied he won't put me down a filly should be free for horsin' around
And I will no longer be hobbled and tied this is my cowboy's last ride
Oh I hate to see him go...
This is my cowboy's last ride

[ Fisherman ]
So long Cowgirl
[ Cowgirl ]
Please don't turn me in
[ Rambler ]
I never saw you
Man I wish I hadn't seen her
[ Fisherman ]
That's two of us you know Calilou was a little crazy
[ Rambler ]
Who
[ Fisherman ]
Calilou she wasn't dead crazy
She might kill a man with lovin' but she would never do it with a gun
[ Rambler ]
Calilou is that your California woman's name
[ Fisherman ]
Yeah but I'm not sure she's in California for sure you know
She may be in Louisiana by now
[ Rambler ]
Louisiana aha
[ Fisherman ]
Yeah that's where the Lou in her name came from
Her folks had a really cute idea when she was born
That since her daddy came from California and her mama from Louisiana
They'd put both their names together and hang it on each other
[ Rambler ]
Hahaha it's a good thing
If they didn't put California first she could've been named Local
[ Fisherman ]
Come on man
[ Rambler ]
Or if they came from Mississippi and Illinois she could be called Missle
[ Fisherman ]
You're lightenin' up a little bit on me now
You know it really wasn't far from here
That I saw her the first time about three years ago
And she was hitchhikin' just like that cowgirl
[ Rambler ]
Yeah
[ Fisherman ]
You've been to Louisiana
[ Rambler ]
Yeah I've been in Shreveport
[ Fisherman ]
Let's pull over here a minute
[ Rambler ]
Why what't the matter
[ Fisherman ]
Well I'm just not really sure if I really want to go back to California
[ Rambler ]
Hey listen I don't care Fisherman I told you in Indiana that I'm just ramblin'
One place is good as another with me
[ Fisherman ]
You wouldn't mind then if we sorta turned around and headed towards New Orleans
[ Rambler ]
Makes no difference to me if I find somebody like the lady
Or at least get the lady off of my mind one place is good as another for me
Man I saw her face in the clouds over the Rockies
I smelled her expensive perfume in that cheap bar in Denver
And I saw her face on the street in Des Moines Omaha
Till I stop seein' that face I'm ready to ramble
[ Fisherman ]
Let's nake a U-turn and head back
[ Rambler ]
We may be thumbin' ourselves pretty soon less you get more money than I have
[ Fisherman ]

. . .


(Johnny Cash)

Well I'm finally goin' back to Louisiana runnin' and thumbin' all the way
That started out the way out in California
I been makin' bout five hundred miles a day
I covered all the beaches on the west coast from Mexico Crason City Bay
But Calilou was not in California that's where her daddy came from by the way
And by the way her mother was a cajun
She came from New Orleans I've heard her say
And it's just like a girl to wanna see her mama
So I might find her there along the way
Calilou Calilou well they should have call you restless
Well they should have call you drifter
Yeah they should have call you trouble instead of Calilou

I reacall the first time that I saw her I picked her up near Phoenix in my car
Just another beauty seekin' fame and fortune
And I told her if she should be a movie star
The next time I saw her was Tucumcari she served my bowl of chilly with a smile
I said it's been a year since I last saw you
Wonder how'd you like to share a few good miles
Well the justice of the peace was very sleepy I held her in my arms a whole
night long
I whispered words like settle down and family
And when I woke up my Calilou was gone
Calilou Calilou...
Calilou Calilou...

[ Rambler ]
It's a long way to New Orleans
[ Fisherman ]
Well I got plenty of time
[ Rambler ]
Me too you know it's lot of fun just seein' what the next day has to offer
You never know what round the next bend
[ Fisherman ]
Or what we're gonna find either
[ Rambler ]
Do you know what I just wonder how long a man has to look before he finds
himself

I just got the feelin' that the fire was burnin' out
Cause the air was turnin' colder every time you came about
And a flame won't take a fannin' if the last reserve of love is runnin' low
So since I've gotta button up I believe I'll hit the road and go
Country road 6-40 state highway 45 life out of the interstate is very much alive
There's magic in the mountains and music in the valleys down below

. . .


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