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Man In Black Lyrics

Artist: Johnny Cash
Album: 16 Biggest Hits

By: John R. Cash, 1971 House of Cash, Inc.
Recorded February 16, 1971
Number 3 - Country Charts; Number 58 - Pop Charts

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.

Comments/Interpretations

by maddy1234 on 3/12/2009 5:40pm
this is a sad song.:[ but it is still nice

by ILnour on 3/31/2009 7:35am
it contains meaning really, brilliant song.

by zombiean4u on 9/27/2009 12:45am
i am the man in black........we love you cash

by inlovewithjohnnycash on 10/10/2009 2:56pm
he is the most amaizing singersong writter ever..!!

by LostFan4815162342 on 4/9/2011 10:17pm
That reminds me of the" man in black" off lost.. Anyways this song really speaks to the mind.