Give my love to Rose
This is one of my favourite love songs by Johnny Cash. He sang about a lot of things. The first time I heard him was on the radio at Don Normand’s house in Salisbury, when he was singing “Folsom Prison Blues” ‘live’ at Folsom Prison. So I went to a record store in Bulawayo and bought it. It was so fantastic to have a ‘live’ recording, because it felt like the real thing. The number I liked the most was, “I found him by the railroad track this morning, I could see that he was nearly dead.” (Give my love to Rose). About a guy who had gotten out of prison and heading home. One line really gripped me. “I was trying to get back to Louisiana, to see my Rose and get to know my son.” It was so heartbreaking to realize that his boy didn’t even know his dad. When we visited America for the first time in 1976 we went to Folsom Prison, and saw some of the souvenirs the prisoners made.
You’re the nearest thing to heaven – My Favourite Love Song by Johnny Cash
It starts like this: “I’ve sailed the peaceful waters of the oceans deep and blue. I’ve held my breath and watched the western sunset’s golden hue. I’ve flown above the mountain peaks, of valleys wide and green. But you’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen.” It is such a beautiful song. Many times at night when I lie in bed and cannot sleep, and I sing some of my favorite love songs in my mind, and this one is always on the list.
I walk the line
“I find it very, very easy to be true, I find myself all alone when each day is through.” He wrote a lot of his own hits.
Daddy sang bass
Over the years I have loved many of the songs Johnny has sung. ‘Daddy sang bass’ reminded me of singing with the family, and I sang it at my sister’s wedding.
No Charge
‘No charge’ is a very touching song about a boy wanting to get paid for all the chores he did. I first heard this song when we came to Canada.
A thing called love
Apparently this was on the top of the British hit parade in the 70’s. I have often sung this song, as it is one of my top favourite love songs. Love is better than hate. It talks about the love of a mother for her baby, and that became so real to me when our son was born. My wife loved him so much. So did I..
I saw a Man
Johnny did gospel recordings too, and I found a preacher in South Africa who had an LP of Johnny singing hymns. One song that I thought was very, very holy was, I saw a Man. “Last night I dreamed an angel came, he took my hand and he called my name.”
Are all the children in?
Another song that I loved was a story song about a mother asking the family, “Are all the children in?” I sang that song in Witbank in 1971 at three separate meetings, and at each meeting 50 young people gave their hearts to the Lord. I also recorded it on my LP record: It’s Gotta be Love.
Here was a man
I sang this “song” many time in Africa, and felt a very great anointing on it.
Tennessee flat top box
I first heard this song on a tribute show for Johnny Cash, and I loved it instantly. So here is the man himself singing it. I love that guitar playing. It is so catchy.
I call Him
In Bulawayo, John Piermain used to sing this song, and I really love it. This is the song I sang at the evangelist’s meeting the night before the TV appearance where I sang Honeycomb.
Thanks a lot
A friend in Johannesburg gave me a tape with this song, and it brings back so many memories.
Wings in the morning
When we were in Scotland, my sister Kathy was asking about this song, that I gave her on a tape many years ago. I am glad I have found it on the net.
Wonderful time up there.
Many years ago I bought our family each a copy of Johnny’s album called: ‘A believer sings the truth.’ This song was on that album.
The fourth Man
I used to sing this song around the campfire in Germiston around about the late 80′s and early 90′s. When I was very young I had a dream one night that I was one of the guys in the fire, and I said: “Meshach, is that Shadrach in front of you? He said: “Yes”. So I said: “Well who’s this behind me then?” So he said: “Never mind, just keep walking!”
That’s enough
I have just found this song, and it means so much to me. Some years back I was criticized by so many people that I quit playing the guitar and writing songs, and I often thought of a line in the song where he says: “I won’t miss a friend I never had.” I didn’t know what song it was, but now I have found it. It is like finding hidden treasure!
Papa was a good man
I remember singing this song in Fort Victoria, and John Hitchcock and Jan Venter burst out laughing. I gave my record to my father-in-law who had a problem with drinking, and he later quit. My wife fasted three days for him, and somebody ministered to him while he was on holiday at a hot springs.
I also have a Gospel web site. If you want to check it out, go to: http://countrygospelandbible.com/
