"Folsom Prison Blues" lyrics

"Folsom Prison Blues"

I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone

When I was just a baby my mama told me
"Son, always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry

I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin'
And that's what tortures me

Well if they freed me from this prison
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away


Writer(s): Johnny Cash
Originally written in 1955 this song earned the fourth position in charts, but it reached the top of the Billboard Country chart when it was re-released as the live version recorded during the performance in prison in 1968.
The film "Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison" (1951) inspired Johnny Cash to write this song. He also borrowed a lot from the album "Seven Dreams" (1953) by Gordon Jenkins.
The song blends two genres: train song and prison song.
Johnny Cash won his first Grammy Award with this song: Best Country Vocal Performance.
Rolling Stone magazine put this song on the 51st position among 100 greatest country songs of all time.
album: "At San Quentin" (1969)
Johnny Cash - At San Quentin album cover
Big River
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
I Still Miss Someone
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
I Don't Know Where I'm Bound
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
Ring Of Fire
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
He Turned The Water Into Wine
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
Daddy Sang Bass
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
Closing Medley
(2000 Re-release Bonus Track)
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