About The Song
Johnny Cash’s “Before My Time” is a poignant and reflective ballad that delves deep into the complexities of mortality and the passage of time. Album American III: Solitary Man, this song is a powerful testament to Cash’s ability to convey raw emotion and vulnerability.
The song’s title itself is evocative, suggesting a sense of premature aging or a fear of an untimely death. Cash’s deep, resonant voice and the sparse instrumentation create a haunting atmosphere that draws the listener in. The lyrics explore themes of regret, longing, and the search for meaning in life.
Cash’s interpretation of the song is particularly poignant, as it reflects his own struggles with addiction and the toll it took on his health. The lyrics, “I’ve been living fast and dying slow / And I’m running out of time to grow,” suggest a sense of desperation and a desire for redemption. However, the song also offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer expresses a longing for connection and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
For those familiar with Cash’s earlier work, “Before My Time” represents a departure from his more traditional country sound. The song’s introspective lyrics and stripped-down arrangement showcase a more mature and contemplative side of the artist. However, the song’s underlying themes of love, loss, and redemption are deeply rooted in the country music tradition.
“Before My Time” is a haunting and beautiful song that continues to resonate with listeners of all ages. Johnny Cash’s interpretation of this classic ballad is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest country music artists of all time. The song’s poignant lyrics and soulful melody invite listeners to reflect on their own lives and the inevitability of mortality.
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Lyric
I know that hearts were lovingLong before I was hereAnd I’m not the first to ever cryIn my bed or in my beerThere were songs before there was radioOf love that staysAnd love that goesThey were writing meloncholy tunesAnd tearful words that rhymeBefore my timeBefore my timeThere were songs in old dusty booksOf love that’s always beenSweet lovers in their gloryWho are now gone with the windOld fashioned love words spoken thenKeep coming back around againNothing’s changed except the namesTheir love burned just like mineBefore my timeBefore my timeAnd in the dim of yesterdayI can clearly seeThat flesh and bloodCried out to someoneAs it does in meAnd there was some old song that said“I love you ’til I die”Before my timeBefore my timeBut what the old time master’s hadIs what I feel for youLove is love and doesn’t changeIn a century or twoIf someway they had seen and knewHow it would be for me and youThey’d wish for love like yoursAnd they would wish for love like mineBefore my timeBefore my time