Johnny Cash singing in German

Subject: RE: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: Beer
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 12:07 PM

That was a fun read pdq. Thanks,
Adrien

Subject: RE: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: pdq
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 11:30 AM

Here we have some more...


                                                                                          interesting facts about Johnny Cash

Subject: RE: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: Bert
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 12:29 AM

He obviously wasn't fluent in English or he would NEVER have sung "Sing it Pretty Sue";-)

Subject: RE: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 02 Apr 12 - 12:22 AM

John R. Cash enlisted in the USAF in 1950 and took basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Tex and then Radio Intercept Operaton Training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi in 1950-1951.

Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 12th Radio Squadron Mobile (USAFSS) at Landsberg Air Base. Germany as a Radio Intercept Operator (Morse Code) and served in that capacity until his enlistment was up in 1954.

According to Bill Harrell, a roommate of Cash, John learned to play the guitat from another buddy. (See link below}

http://www.6912th.org/cashpage.htm

Orville Rigdon, who taught John to play the guitar, died recenly.

Many members of the 12th RSM were later transferred to the 85th Radio Squadron Mobile (USAFSS) at Sembach Air Base, Germany.

I arrived at the 85th RSM in June 1954, having also trained at Keesler AFB as a Radio Intercept Operator (Morse Code).

http://www.chancefac.net/TLCB_/AirForce-2.htm

Cash was NOT a Language Specialist.

Cash and I, were both (293X0) Morse Code Radio Intercept Operators.

I arrived at Sembach Air Base in Germany shortly before Cash returned stateside.

To paraphrase one of cash's songs....

"They were there when it happened, so I guess they ought to know"

Gene
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Subject: RE: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: pdq
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 10:23 PM

I believe Johnny Cash was stationed in Germany during the Korean War era and was a trained radio operator. His job was to monitor Russian language broadcasts and record suspicious statements. His first wife was Mexican.

That means The Man In Black was probably fluent in Russian, Spanish, German and English.

Subject: Johnny Cash singing in German
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Apr 12 - 10:08 PM

Did you know Johnny Cash recorded some songs in German? Here are a few recordings at YouTube:

WER KENNT DEN WEG? (Who knows the way?) – a version of I WALK THE LINE

WO IST ZUHAUSE, MAMA (Where Is Home, Mama?) - a version of FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISING

VIEL ZU SPÄT (Much Too Late) – a version of I GOT STRIPES

There are more, which you can find by following links.

I don't know enough German to transcribe them.