I first saw Fred because I went to the Edmonton Media Club to see Willie P. Bennett. He was playing mandolin and harmonica in Fred's band. I ended up buying two CDs and seeing Fred play many more shows over the years. I started to learn how to play his songs the next day.
On his new album, 6 Volt, there is a song called "Johnny Cash". I love the song, and want to learn to play it, but in the song Fred sings "that we let Johnny Cash down, and where were we in 1989?" There is truth in those lyrics. I was in high school listening to heavy metal. When Rick Rubin partnered with Johnny his popularity soared. I bought all the American CDs, and went back to the older catalogue too.
Fred also sings "too bad about all that religion." Johnny led me back to God with his lyrics. Johnny's faith is so steadfast. I don't find him "religious" as much as "relational".
Religion is a tough sell these days, but what about faith...Johnny Cash faith?
14 comments:
The thing that tears our hearts out about Johnny Cash, I think, is that--even though he both waged a public war with addiction and other forms of darkness AND proclaimed faith in Almighty God--we perceived no hypocrisy in him. We believed Johnny Cash and everything he ever said and sang. Are you listening to Johnny Cash Christmas, yet, this year? (I still haven't pulled out my cd.) There's this line in "The Little Drummer Boy" that makes me cry, everytime. It's the way he sings: "I played my best for him." Just a slight inflection, really, but I feel the truth in it. And that's what it's all about: doing one's best with what what has. Giving whatever we have: even though we always know it's sub-par and mean when cast into the light of Christ. All He wants is a relationship. And there's such miracle in that: to know He wants to know...really know...us.
my brother and I were raised on a johnny cash faith. Now, my brother who is a musician has the pleasure of calling his daughter rosanne cash his friend, even partnering with her to sing/write a song together. The truth from her is that he was relational, because he was truth. sometimes hard truth, but truth all the same. This is the kind of people and the God i serve. Great insight...got me thinking :)
Relational. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Faith...yes. It's the relationship stuff that draws us in and keeps us there.
1989? I was having a baby, totally abandoning Johnny Cash at the time. ;-)
you highlight a huge difference...religeon and relation...something special can happen when the two meet...even if it is in johnny cash...smiles.
"I don't find him "religious" as much as "relational"."
Ahhh, something we should all strive for....
I, too, left The Man in Black behind in '89. Raising a toddler, I believe I was listening to Raffi and singing Baby Beluga. Oh, but I love going to Johnny when I want to FEEL something.
I know I mentioned the "Murder" album, but in truth, my favourite is, "Unchained".
@Brandee Shafer - Yes! That line in "The Little Drummer Boy" - absolutely!
Old Ollie, I recommend you have a look at my good friend, John Hayes's blog, "Robert Frost's Banjo" robertfrostsbanjo.blogspot.com
Kat
i love johnny. he was the real deal. why are we so afraid to be real? it's as though we think God doesn't know us. he made us for pete's sake. we can't hide from no-one. :) (ps. it was weird to read a post that didn't mention fish or rose ... i've become attached to them!)
We can be religious about anything, can't we? It's all about relationship. Side note: our toddlers sang Tom Lehrer songs. When he grew a little older, our son chose to play Lehrer's 'The Hunting Song' at a church piano recital. Strictly instrumenal. But knowing full well that we knew the lyrics, he looked at us with a mischevious grin throughout his performance.
i think it was in 1989 that i first saw a photo of johnny cash inside the back cover of an archie comic -- one of the Christian archie comics. the caption said he was unashamed of Jesus. i loved him on the spot.
I knew a Methodist minister once who maintained that there was more religion in a good "Gun Law" than in a poor sermon. I think you could say the same of Johnny Cash.
dylan and Cash. It doesn't get better than this. See if you can listen to it just once.
http://youtu.be/2aSLMEKl8E4
What was infectious about Johnny was his love for the outcasts, strays, criminal, broken, downtrodden and poor of society. The very people we built suburbs to get away from. Johnny did hard time in the toughest prison and knew God from a very, rough, dark, hurting and honest place. I don't know too many people who have a faith like that. He was a little too "black" for the "white" of religion.
Post a Comment