Story Behind The Song

Johnny Cash's Scottish roots

Lyrics

"If Johnny Cash Had Been Scottish"



If Johnny Cash had been Scottish
How different things would be
"Ring of Fire" would have been inspired
By a hot Madras he had for tea


When he performed "A Boy Named Sue"
Was about a lawyer he knew locally
"I Walk The Line" came from his time
As a referee
He was known as "The Man In Black" you see

If Johnny Cash had been Scottish


He played all across the world
Like Nashville, Tennessee
Even the Grand Ole Opry
That iconic venue

If he'd been Scots
He would have played some spots
Like some of the mining towns around
Tough audiences there were renowned
Some so downbeat only raw meat
Was on the menu


If Johnny Cash had been Scottish



Many ups and downs in life
When he stayed in Fife
He settled down in Lower Largo
He wrote "Cry, Cry. Cry" for his lost love, Margo

He wrote "Polmont Prison Blues"
After being locked up on the booze
He failed to observe an alcohol embargo

If Johnny Cash had been Scottish

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He was born outside Denny
His real surname was Kenny
Alternatives he tried many
Until one night in Dunipace

He got booed offstage
A punter got in a rage
And threw money in his face

The memory of that incident would forever last
From then on he was always known as Johnny Cash

Turns out Strathmiglo
Was his ancestral home
In 1981 son of a gun
He even played a gig at Falkland

Would he have been so well known
If he'd came from Kilmacolm
Or Brechin
Do you understand ?
If Johnny Cash had been born in Scotland

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Would he have even gone solo
Or would his successes have been hollow
As a backing singer in a clubbie band
His career might not have gone the way he planned
Would he ever have been in much demand
If Johnny Cash had been born in Scotland
If Johnny Cash had been born in Scotland

© Robin Grimmond 2020