Stoic Music 14

I needed to grow into Country music, and I most of all needed to grow into Johnny Cash. When I was a young pup, the man never spoke to me. He was speaking, of course, but I simply wasn't listening. His music seemed too simple.

Then one day, I listened to "I Walk the Line" again, it suddenly clicked, and I found myself a new hero. Johnny Cash was, I believe, a man who always knew what was right, but he always struggled to be the man he knew he had to be. That was what made him great. He was a sinner striving to be a saint. He was a Stoic in action.

"I Walk the Line" may seem a simple tune about commitment and fidelity. Listen to it carefully. It is also a song about the difficulties we all face with love and loyalty. For a period in his life, Johnny Cash fought that demon. Recall that this song was written when he was married to his first wife. He most certainly did not find it easy to be true.

I admire Johnny Cash so much because of his Stoic willingness to become a better man, and his openness to all the others who were on that same path. A different tune of his, "Man in Black", is another one my favorite anthems.

Written in 2/1999

Johnny Cash. "I Walk the Line"

Johnny Cash, "Man in Black"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq0fUa0vW_E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouvLmeiUVSo

"I Walk the Line"

 I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line

You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

"Man in Black"

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 has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who 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 'a 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,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' 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 OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.