Friday October 15, 2021 “I Hung My Head” Johnny Cash

Today’s ‘murder’ song, written and originally recorded in 1996 by Gordon Sumner (Sting) comes from Johnny Cash’s American IV, The Man Comes Around, the final album released during his lifetime.  The majority of the songs on the album are covers which Cash performs in his own sparse style, with help from producer Rick Rubin. 

On this album Johnny Cash also receives backing vocal assistance from various artists, including Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Don Henley.  The album won "Album of the Year" award at the 2003 CMA Awards. It was certified gold on March 24, 2003 and platinum on November 21, 2003 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Cash is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. His genre-spanning music embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel sounds. This crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of being inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame

Johnny Cash left us in September of 2003.

Stay safe and well...and take heed from this song, firearms are not to be trifled with.

Early one morning

With time to kill

I borrowed Jebb's rifle

And sat on a hill

I saw a lone rider

Crossing the plain

I drew a bead on him

To practice my aim

My brother's rifle

Went off in my hand

A shot rang out

Across the land

The horse, he kept running

The rider was dead

I hung my head

I hung my head

I set off running

To wake from the dream

My brother's rifle

Went into the sheen

I kept on running

Into the south lands

That's where they found me

My head in my hands

The sheriff he asked me

Why had I run

And then it come to me

Just what I had done

And all for no reason

Just one piece of lead

I hung my head

I hung my head

Here in the court house

The whole town was there

I see the judge

High up in the chair

Explain to the court room

What went through your mind

And we'll ask the jury

What verdict they find

I felt the power

Of death over life

I orphaned his children

I widowed his wife

I begged their forgiveness

I wish I was dead

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head

Early one morning

With time to kill

I see the gallows

Up on a hill

And out in the distance

A trick of the brain

I see a lone rider

Crossing the plain

And he'd come to fetch me

To see what they'd done

And we'll ride together

To kingdom come

I prayed for God's mercy

'Cause soon I'd be dead

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head

I hung my head