|
Most
people in the United States are
familiar with Folsom, but likely only because of its prison.
Folsom Prison has
been (and still is) the home of many of California's most famous
criminals. Perhaps the most famous of Folsom's residents has been
legendary singer, Johnny Cash... too bad he was never an inmate!
Johnny Cash made Folsom Prison famous with the 1956 #1 hit "Folsom
Prison Blues". Though he sings about being stuck in Folsom Prison,
he never really was an inmate. He did spend some time in various
county jails during his youth, but
he was not an actual prisoner of Folsom's famous maximum-security
prison.
In 1969, The "man in
black" recorded a concert at Folsom Prison, and was captured in
time with his "Live at Folsom Prison" album. Shouting,
cursing, and slamming of cell doors can be heard throughout the
album to give it a bit more of a dramatic effect.
Click
Here to Listen to "Folsom Prison Blues"
(Requires RealPlayer)
"Folsom Prison Blues" originally was recorded on his
1956 "I Walk the Line" album. |
Cash performs at Folsom Prison in
1968.
[ More photos of Cash at Folsom
Prison ] |
 In 1968, Cash visited Folsom Prison to sing and record a
concert, captured on this album. |
|
Lyrics:
I hear the train a comin'
It's rollin' '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 draggin' on,
But that train keeps a-rollin',
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 blowin',
I hang my head and cry.
|
Cash's life and visit to Folsom Prison
were portrayed in the November 2005 movie
"Walk the Line", starring
Joaquin Phoenix. |
|
|
