About the Song
“Folsom Prison Blues” was first written and performed by Johnny Cash in 1956, inspired by the crime film Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. The song, sung from the perspective of an inmate serving time for murder, is known for its stark, mournful tone and unforgettable line: “I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.” Cash explained that he wanted the reason for the murder to be as senseless as possible.
By 1968, Cash’s career was struggling, and his personal battles with alcoholism and addiction were taking a toll. Despite his outlaw persona, Cash had never spent significant time in prison, but he had developed a deep connection with inmates, corresponding with fans behind bars and performing in prisons across the U.S. On January 13, 1968, Cash performed at Folsom Prison in California, recording a live album that would breathe new life into his career.
The performance was electric. Cash, determined to put on a powerful show for the inmates, had rehearsed intensely and even learned “Greystone Chapel,” a song written by a Folsom inmate. Despite strict security, including armed guards above the audience and a prohibition against standing, the crowd’s enthusiasm injected energy into the recording, making it a raw, unforgettable experience. The live album went to No. 1, marking a major career resurgence for Cash.
Cash’s bond with prisoners became an integral part of his identity. In his 1971 song “Man in Black,” he explains his trademark dark attire as a sign of solidarity with the oppressed, including prisoners. Cash would continue to advocate for prison reform, testifying before Congress and meeting with President Richard Nixon in 1972. Live at Folsom Prison
Lyrics
I hear the train a-coming
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 dragging on
But that train keeps a-rolling
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 drinking coffee
And smoking big cigars
But I know I had it coming
I know I can’t be free
But those people keep a-moving
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 awayAdvertisement
