Johnny Cash was sure one of a kind.

The Man in Black


You walked the line,
Rode the Rock Island Line;
You were ultimate country cool,
Even though you were A Boy Named Sue.

Even though I never was into Country-Western,
You still impacted my life somehow;
Part of background of growing up,
Can only wonder what true r fans must feel.

There were eventually imposters,
To your sound and especially your color;
They could never change the fact,
You had such a powerful impact.

Somehow your voice became a benchmark,
Standard measurment of harmonic setting;
A reference tone for emotive projection,
Compared against for accuracy of angst.

America will miss you Johnny,
A clean underlying voice of power;
Reasurring force of certainty,
Now taking your place in Heaven's bower.


(c) Michael S. Wilson 2003