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16 Dec 21 - 07:35 AM (#4129067) Subject: Review: Johnny Cash civil rights subtle support From: Felipa https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/12/johnny-cash-politics-blood-sweat-and-tears.html an in-depth analysis of the Johnny Cash album "Blood, Sweat and Tears", excerpted from Citizen Cash: The Political Life and Times of Johnny Cash by Michael Stewart Foley. Copyright © 2021 |
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18 Dec 21 - 11:56 PM (#4129357) Subject: ADD: What Is Truth? (Johnny Cash) From: Neil D Very interesting. One more example of Mr. Cash not fitting the stereotype of a redneck country singer. He hung out with Dylan, put Pete Seger on his TV show and was openly sympathetic to the plight of Native Americans. One of my favorite stories about him is the time he was invited to play for Nixon at the White House, an invitation he accepted. Then he was sent word that Nixon had personally requested 2 songs, "Okie from Muskogee" and "Welfare Cadillac". Neither was a Johnny Cash song and the latter was a racist diatribe in verse. Needless to say, Johnny played neither. Instead, he sang an anti-war song he'd written called "What is Truth?", to Nixon, who later said that he had learned one thing about Johnny Cash: don't try to tell him what to play. WHAT IS TRUTH? (Johnny Cash) The old man turned off the radio Said, "Where did all of the old songs go Kids sure play funny music these days They play it in the strangest ways" Said, "it looks to me like they've all gone wild It was peaceful back when I was a child" Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys Are trying to be heard above your noise? And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?" A little boy of three sittin' on the floor Looks up and says, "Daddy, what is war?" "Son, that's when people fight and die" The little boy of three says "Daddy, why?" A young man of seventeen in Sunday school Being taught the golden rule And by the time another year has gone around It may be his turn to lay his life down Can you blame the voice of youth for asking "What is truth?" A young man sittin' on the witness stand The man with the book says "Raise your hand" "Repeat after me, I solemnly swear" The man looked down at his long hair And although the young man solemnly swore Nobody seems to hear anymore And it didn't really matter if the truth was there It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?" The young girl dancing to the latest beat Has found new ways to move her feet The young man speaking in the city square Is trying to tell somebody that he cares Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild Are going to be the leaders in a little while This old world's wakin' to a new born day And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way You better help the voice of youth find "What is truth?" And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?" Songwriters: Cash John R https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3k_exJLYJQ |
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19 Dec 21 - 12:12 PM (#4129389) Subject: RE: Review: Johnny Cash civil rights subtle support From: GUEST,Felipa excerpts of Johnny Cash live at the White House youtube Thanks for the story and the lyrics, Neil D. |
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19 Dec 21 - 12:24 PM (#4129391) Subject: RE: Review: Johnny Cash civil rights subtle support From: GUEST,Felipa comments on the video supposedly made at the White House suggest it is a video of a rehearsal, rather than of a performance |
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19 Dec 21 - 12:30 PM (#4129392) Subject: RE: Review: Johnny Cash civil rights subtle support From: cnd What is Truth is a good one. I'm surprised more people don't realize Cash's political leanings. He was very much in favor of supporting the downtrodden and hurt -- hell, just listen to "Man In Black" and it's hard to miss. Well, you wonder why I always dress in black Why you never see bright colors on my back And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime But is there because he's a victim of the times I wear the black for those who've never read Or listened to the words that Jesus said About the road to happiness through love and charity Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back Up front there ought to be a Man In Black I wear it for the sick and lonely old For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been Each week we lose a hundred fine young men And I wear it for the thousands who have died Believin' that the Lord was on their side I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died Believin' that we all were on their side Well, there's things that never will be right I know And things need changin' everywhere you go But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right You'll never see me wear a suit of white Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day And tell the world that everything's okay But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back 'Til things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black |