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American IV: The Man Comes Around

by Johnny Cash

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Ratings and rankings are based on all available critic reviews and awards.
Overall Rating: 2.8100 American IV: The Man Comes Around is ranked overall as 2.8100 out of 4 stars
Avg. Critic Score: 2.7815 American IV: The Man Comes Around has an avg. critic score of 2.7815 out of 4 stars
 
  • One of the four beasts saying come and see and I saw
  • And behold a white horse"
  • There's a man going around taking names and he decides
  • Who to free and who to blame every body won't be treated
  • Quite the same there will be a golden ladder reaching down
  • When the man comes around
  • The hairs on your arm will stand up at the terror in each
  • Sip and each sup will you partake of that last offered cup
  • Or disappear into the potter's ground
  • When the man comes around
  • [CHORUS]
  • Hear the trumpets hear the pipers one hundred million angels singing
  • Multitudes are marching to a big kettledrum
  • Voices calling and voices crying
  • Some are born and some are dying
  • Its alpha and omegas kingdom come
  • And the whirlwind is in the thorn trees
  • The virgins are all trimming their wicks
  • The whirlwind is in the thorn trees
  • It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks
  • Till Armageddon no shalom no shalom
  • Then the father hen will call his chicken's home
  • The wise man will bow down before the thorn and at his feet
  • They will cast the golden crowns
  • When the man comes around
  • Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still
  • Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still
  • Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still
  • Listen to the words long written down
  • When the man comes around
  • [Thanks to poleman for these lyrics]
 
  • I hurt myself today
  • To see if I still feel
  • I focus on the pain
  • The only thing that's real
  • The needle tears a hole
  • The old familiar sting
  • Try to kill it all away
  • But I remember everything
  • [Chorus:]
  • What have I become
  • My sweetest friend
  • Everyone I know goes away
  • In the end
  • And you could have it all
  • My empire of dirt
  • I will let you down
  • I will make you hurt
  • I wear this crown of thorns
  • Upon my liar's chair
  • Full of broken thoughts
  • I cannot repair
  • Beneath the stains of time
  • The feelings disappear
  • You are someone else
  • I am still right here
  • [Chorus:]
  • What have I become
  • My sweetest friend
  • Everyone I know goes away
  • In the end
  • And you could have it all
  • My empire of dirt
  • I will let you down
  • I will make you hurt
  • If I could start again
  • A million miles away
  • I would keep myself
  • I would find a way
  • [Thanks to dreamon_89@hotmail.com, sbd21@hotmail.com, Richi98dy@hotmail.com for correcting these lyrics]
 
  • I found him by the railroad track this morning
  • I could see that he was nearly dead
  • I knelt down beside him and I listened
  • Just to hear the words the dying fellow said
  • He said they let me out of prison down in Frisco
  • For ten long years I've paid for what I've done
  • I was trying to get back to Louisiana
  • To see my Rose and get to know my son
  • [Chorus:]
  • Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
  • Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
  • Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
  • And don't forget to give my love to Rose
  • Tell them I said thanks for waiting for me
  • Tell my boy to help his mom at home
  • Tell my Rose to try to find another
  • For it ain't right that she should live alone
  • Mister here's a bag with all my money
  • It won't last them long the way it goes
  • God bless you for finding me this morning
  • And don't forget to give my love to Rose
  • [Chorus:]
  • Give my love to Rose please won't you mister
  • Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes
  • Tell my boy his daddy's so proud of him
  • And don't forget to give my love to Rose
 
  • When you're weary, feeling small,
  • When tears are in your eyes, I will dry
  • them all;
  • I'm on your side. When times get rough
  • And friends just can't be found,
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will lay me down.
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will lay me down.
  • When you're down and out,
  • When you're on the street,
  • When evening falls so hard
  • I will comfort you.
  • I'll take your part.
  • When darkness comes
  • And pain is all around,
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will lay me down.
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will lay me down.
  • Sail on silvergirl,
  • Sail on by.
  • Your time has come to shine.
  • All your dreams are on their way.
  • See how they shine.
  • If you need a friend
  • I'm sailing right behind.
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will ease your mind.
  • Like a bridge over troubled water
  • I will ease your mind.
 
  • Early one morning
  • With time to kill
  • I borrowed Jebb's rifle
  • And sat on a hill
  • I saw a lone rider
  • Crossing the plain
  • I drew a bead on him
  • To practice my aim
  • My brother's rifle
  • Went of in my hand
  • A shot rang out
  • Across the land
  • The horse, he kept running
  • The rider was dead
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • I set off running
  • To wake from the dream
  • My brother's rifle
  • Went into the sheen
  • I kept on running
  • Into the south lands
  • That's where they found me
  • My head and my hands
  • The sheriff he asked me
  • Why had I run
  • And then it came to me
  • Just what I had done
  • And all for no reason
  • Just one peace of lead
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • Here in the court house
  • The whole town was there
  • I see the judge
  • High up in the chair
  • Explain to the court room
  • What went through you mind
  • And we'll ask the jury
  • What verdict they find
  • I felt the power
  • Of death over life
  • I orphaned his children
  • I widowed his wife
  • I begged their forgiveness
  • I wish I was dead
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • Early one morning
  • With time to kill
  • I see the gallows
  • Up on a hill
  • And out in the distance
  • A trick of the brain
  • I see a lone rider
  • Crossing the plain
  • And he'd come to fetch me
  • To see what they'd done
  • And we'd ride together
  • To kingdom come
  • I prayed for god's mercy
  • For soon I'd be dead
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
  • I hung my head
 
  • The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes.
  • And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave,
  • To the dark and the endless sky, my love.
  • And the first time ever I kissed your mouth,
  • I felt the earth move through my hands.
  • Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
  • That was there at my command.
  • And the first time ever I lay with you,
  • I felt your heart so close to mine.
  • And I know our joy would fill the earth,
  • And last till the end of time, my love.
  • The first time ever I saw your face.
 
  • Your own, personal, Jesus
  • someone to hear your prayers,
  • someone who cares
  • Your own, personal, Jesus
  • someone to hear your prayers,
  • someone who's there
  • Feeling unknown
  • and you're all alone,
  • flesh and bone,
  • by the telephone,
  • lift up the receiver,
  • i'll make you a believer
  • Take second best,
  • put me to the test,
  • things on your chest,
  • you need to confess,
  • i will deliver,
  • you know i'm a forgiver
  • Reach out and touch faith
  • Reach out and touch faith
  • Your own, personal, Jesus
  • someone to hear your prayers,
  • someone who cares
  • Your own, personal, Jesus
  • someone to hear your prayers,
  • someone to care
  • Feeling unknown
  • and you're all alone,
  • flesh and bone,
  • by the telephone,
  • lift up the receiver,
  • i'll make you a believer
  • i will deliver,
  • you know i'm a forgiver
  • Reach out and touch faith
  • Reach out and touch faith
  • Reach out and touch faith
  • Reach out and touch faith
 
  • There are places I'll remember
  • All my life
  • Though some have changed
  • Some forever
  • Not for better
  • Some have gone and some remain
  • All these places have their moments
  • With lovers and friends
  • I still can recall
  • Some are dead and some are living
  • In my life
  • I've loved them all
  • But if all these friends and lovers
  • There is no one
  • Compares with you
  • And these memories
  • Lose their meaning
  • When I think of love
  • As something new
  • Though I know I'll never lose affection
  • For people and things that went before
  • I know I'll often stop and think about them
  • In my life
  • I love you more
  • Though I know I'll never lose affection
  • For people and things that went before
  • I know I'll often stop and think about them
  • In my life
  • I love you more
  • In my life
  • I love you more
 
  • Well, my name it is Sam Hall, Sam Hall.
  • Yes, my name it is Sam Hall; it is Sam Hall.
  • My name it is Sam Hall an' I hate you, one and all.
  • An' I hate you, one and all:
  • Damn your eyes.
  • I killed a man, they said; so they said.
  • I killed a man, they said; so they said.
  • I killed a man, they said an' I smashed in his head.
  • An' I left him layin' dead,
  • Damn his eyes.
  • But a-swingin', I must go; I must go.
  • A-swingin', I must go; I must go.
  • A-swingin', I must go while you critters down below,
  • Yell up: "Sam, I told you so."
  • Well, damn your eyes!
  • [Instrumental break]
  • I saw Molly in the crowd; in the crowd.
  • I saw Molly in the crowd; in the crowd.
  • I saw Molly in the crowd an' I hollered, right out loud:
  • Then the Sherriff, he came to; he came to.
  • Ah, yeah, the Sherriff, he came to; he came to.
  • The Sherriff, he come to an he said: "Sam, how are you?"
  • An I said: "Well, Sherriff, how are you,
  • My name is Samuel, Samuel.
  • My name is Samuel, Samuel.
  • My name is Samuel, an' I'll see you all in hell.
  • An' I'll see you all in hell,
  • Damn your eyes.
 
  • Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
  • From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
  • The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
  • 'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
  • But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
  • Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
  • 'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
  • Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
  • And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
  • And I am dead, as dead I well may be
  • You'll come and find the place where I am lying
  • And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
  • And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
  • And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
  • If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
  • I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
  • I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.
  • [Thanks to Ashleigh (lightweight_69@hotmail.com) for these lyrics]
 
  • Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
  • You been out ridin' fences for so long now.
  • Oh, you're a hard one,
  • But I know that you've got your reasons.
  • These things that are pleasin' you,
  • Can hurt you somehow.
  • Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
  • She'll beat you if she's able.
  • Know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
  • Now it seems to me, some fine things,
  • Have been laid upon your table.
  • But you only want the things that you can't get.
  • Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger:
  • Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home.
  • And freedom, oh freedom,
  • Well, that's just some people talkin'
  • Your prison is walking,
  • Through this world all alone.
  • And don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
  • The sky won't snow, the sun won't shine
  • It's hard to tell the night time from the day
  • You're loosin' all your highs and lows
  • Ain't it funny how the feeling,
  • Goes away?
  • Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
  • Come down from your fences, and open the gate
  • It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you,
  • You better let somebody love you,
  • You better let somebody love you,
  • You better let somebody love you,
  • Before it's too late.
 
  • Hear that lonesome whippoorwill?
  • He sounds too blue to fly.
  • The midnight train is whining low:
  • I'm so lonesome I could cry.
  • I've never seen a night so long,
  • When time goes crawling by.
  • The moon just went behind a cloud,
  • To hide its face and cry.
  • Did you ever see a Robin weep,
  • When leaves begin to die?
  • That means he's lost his will to live.
  • I'm so lonesome I could cry.
  • [Instrumental break]
  • The silence of a falling star,
  • Lights up a purple sky.
  • And as I wonder where you are,
  • I'm so lonesome I could cry.
  • I'm so lonesome I could cry.
 
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter,
  • I'm gonna mail it straight to you.
  • I'm gonna bring back to your mind,
  • What you said about always bein' true.
  • Bout our secret hidin' places;
  • Bein' daily satisfied.
  • I can see you sittin' and readin' it,
  • While you hang you head and cry.
  • I just hope you're not so sad,
  • You're gonna go down suicide.
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter:
  • Put it special delivery.
  • 'Cause it's gonna be full of stuff,
  • That's only known to you and me.
  • 'Bout how every time I get turned on,
  • You turn me off and bring me down.
  • It'll be about the darkest news,
  • That ever did arrive in your hometown.
  • It'll be about the saddest thing,
  • Your mailman ever did bring around.
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter,
  • I'm gonna tell you one more time.
  • That you still could reconsider,
  • And come back to bein' mine.
  • An' if you think about what I'm sayin',
  • It'd be hard to refuse.
  • Just be sure you think a long time,
  • On the answer that you choose.
  • It will be a most important piece,
  • Of personal, private news.
  • [Instrumental break]
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter:
  • Mark it "Personal Private News."
  • An' I hope you'll keep it to yourself,
  • An' don't go 'round cryin' the blues.
  • Givin' off a bad impression,
  • As to what went really wrong.
  • When what it was was that suddenly,
  • The music was all gone.
  • And this man and this woman got cut off,
  • In the middle of our song.
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter:
  • I'm gonna put it to a tune.
  • So I'll be sendin' with it,
  • A sweet melody for you.
  • And not some red-hot, upbeat zinger,
  • That'll set your body on fire.
  • But a hunk of love included,
  • Meant to take you a little higher.
  • And to settle on your sweet, sweet mind,
  • At night when you retire.
  • I'm gonna write a tear stained letter.
 
  • As I walked out on the streets of Laredo.
  • As I walked out on Laredo one day,
  • I spied a poor cowboy wrapped in white linen,
  • Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.
  • These words he did say as I boldly walked by.
  • When thus he had spoken, the hot sun was setting.
  • The streets of Laredo grew cold as the clay.
  • We took the young cowboy down to the green valley,
  • And there stands his marker, we made, to this day.
  • We beat the drum slowly and played the Fife lowly,
  • Played the dead march as we carried him along.
  • Down in the green valley, laid the sod o'er him.
  • He was a young cowboy and he said he'd done wrong.
 
  • We'll meet again
  • Don't know where
  • Don't know when
  • But I know
  • We'll meet again
  • Some sunny day
  • Keep smilin' thru
  • Just like you
  • Always do
  • 'Til the blue skies drive
  • The dark clouds
  • Far away
  • And will you please say hello
  • to the folks that I know
  • Tell'em that I won't be long
  • And they'll be happy to know
  • That when you saw me go
  • I was singing this song
  • We'll meet again
  • Don't know where
  • Don't know when
  • But I know
  • We'll meet again
  • Some sunny day
  • [spoken]
  • Yeah we'll meet again
  • I don't know where
  • I don't know when
  • But I do know
  • That we'll meet again
  • Some sunny day
  • [spoken]
  • So Honey
  • Keep on smilin' thru
  • Just like you always do
  • 'Til the blue skies
  • Drive the dark clouds
  • Far away
  • And would you please say hello
  • To all the folks that I know
  • And tell'em I won't be long
  • They'll be happy to know
  • That when you saw me go
  • I was singing this song
  • [with choir]
  • We'll meet again
  • Don't know where
  • Don't know when
  • But I know
  • We'll meet again
  • Some sunny day
  • [Thanks to Ashleigh (lightweight_69@hotmail.com) for these lyrics]

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