About The Song
Johnny Cash, often referred to as the “Man in Black,” was more than just a country music singer. His deep, resonant voice and introspective lyrics resonated with millions, making him one of the most iconic figures in American music history. Among his vast discography, “Dark as a Dungeon” stands as a powerful testament to his ability to capture the human condition and evoke deep emotions.
Originally written by Merle Travis, “Dark as a Dungeon” is a haunting ballad that paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by coal miners. Cash’s version, recorded in 1964, became one of his signature songs and a cornerstone of his live performances, particularly his iconic concert at Folsom Prison.
The song’s lyrics are stark and evocative, depicting the bleak and dangerous world of a coal miner. The imagery of “a dark and dreary mine” and “a coffin for a bed” creates a sense of foreboding and despair. Cash’s delivery is both mournful and defiant, conveying the physical and emotional toll that such a life takes on a person.
Musically, “Dark as a Dungeon” is a simple yet effective folk ballad. The sparse arrangement, featuring acoustic guitar and Cash’s haunting vocals, allows the lyrics to take center stage. The minor key and slow tempo contribute to the song’s somber atmosphere.
Beyond its powerful lyrics and haunting melody, “Dark as a Dungeon” also serves as a social commentary on the working conditions of coal miners. The song highlights the dangers and hardships faced by these individuals, and it has been interpreted as a call for social justice.
Cash’s performance of “Dark as a Dungeon” at Folsom Prison is particularly noteworthy. The raw emotion and intensity of his delivery, combined with the somber atmosphere of the prison, created a truly unforgettable moment in music history. The song has since become an anthem for the working class and a symbol of the struggles faced by ordinary people.
Video
Lyric
Oh, come all you young fellers, young and so fineSeek not your fortune in the dark dreary mineIt’ll form as a habit and seep in your soul‘Till the stream of your blood runs as black as the coalWhere it’s dark as a dungeon, damp as the dewDanger is double, pleasures are fewWhere the rain never falls, the sun never shinesIt’s dark as a dungeon way down in the mineWell it’s many a man, that I’ve seen in my day(No laughing during the song please)(It’s been recorded I know, hell)(Don’t you know it’s recorded)Like a fiend with his dope,And a dropper with his wineA man will have less for the lure of the mineAnd, I pray when I’m dead and the ages shall rollThat my body would blacken and turn into coalThen I’ll look from the door of my heavenly homeAnd pity the miner digging my bonesWhere it’s dark as a dungeon, damp as the dewDanger is double and the pleasures are fewWhere the rain never falls, the sun never shinesIt’s dark as a dungeon way down in the mineThank you very much.Thank you very much.Sorry about that little interruption there, but I justWant to tell you that this show is being recorded for an albumRelease on Columbia Records and you can’t say hell or shit or anything like thatHow’s that grab you Bob?