Currently Playing Love, God, Murder By Johnny Cash see related

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Reviewed by: Fred

I am 8 years old and it is Sunday.  My parents are having church.  It consists of sitting around home listening to Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, etc. on our console stereo.  But Johnny is my favorite.  I love his soothing bass voice and stories of love and despair.  I always feel bad for the poor guys he's singing about.  His songs about God make me happy.

Now I am 16.  I have come to know this God of Johnny's.  I still like his music.  The Christian music scene explodes and there are many great singers, but nobody like Johnny.

I am almost 30.  My favorite punk band "One Bad Pig" remakes Johnny's "Man in Black" song.  He actually sings with the band on the record.  It is a hoot and I am reminded of the good, loving heart of Johnny and his love for God.

I'm 39 now.  I have two daughters who for a summer download all the Johnny Cash they can find from the internet.  I have childhood flashbacks.  Good warm feelings of my mom and dad loving each other and being at home and listening to good music.

Now it is two days after my 40th birthday.  My son blesses me with a three CD collection of Johnny's best.  I start listening and reading the liner notes.  Wow.  I forgot. 

I thank God for Johnny Cash:  The man who tried to carry a little darkness off on his back.  The man who loved God deeply enough to identify with the downtrodden and the criminal.  The man who gave eight year old little boys a big enough glimpse of love and hope in the midst of despair to get them through their roughest years still believing.

Thank you God for Johnny.