The General and I are back on dog detail this weekend. Andrea and Kevin are out of town again and we are keeping their labs at their house. Though I wasn't specifically told not to mess up the television, I figured the communication from last weekend was still applicable. Consequently, I've stuck to documentaries on Netflix.
As I hurriedly scrolled through the available options, I didn't immediately stop on the title: "Tricky Dick and The Man In Black." Perhaps out of respect for Johnny Cash, I rethought my lack of interest in the storyline.
My first record album was purchased in 1962. It was titled, "The Sound of Johnny Cash". I have always been a fan. Another of his songs that ranks high on my list of favorites is the Ballad of Ira Hays.
Although the song was not written by Cash, it chronicles the story of Ira Hayes, one of the six marines who became famous for having raised the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
The song begins with the lyrics: "Ira Hayes - Ira Hayes -Call him drunken Ira Hayes - He won't answer anymore - Not the whiskey drinking Indian - Or the marine that went to war."
After a night of heavy drinking on January 23–24, 1955, Ira Hays died of exposure to cold and alcohol poisoning. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on February 2, 1955.
The song was released in 1964. That same year, he also released a Native American-themed concept album, "Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian." In an incredible but little-known story, Cash faced censorship and backlash for speaking out on behalf of native people — and he fought back.
I remember reading Johnny Cash's autobiography in 1975. I read the book from cover to cover at one setting. The only time I put the book down was to wipe tears from my eyes.
In 1944, Cash's older brother Jack (age 14), was cut almost in two by an unguarded table saw while he was cutting lumber. He died a week later. Johnny was 12 years old at the time. I sobbed as I read the details and impact of his brother's death.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon invited Johnny Cash to sing to a gathering at the White House. The country was in the midst of Vietnam War protests. Since Cash came from a rural, conservative and religious background it was thought his presence might impact the Southern voters. After all, isn't it always about politics?
Reportedly, the White House had publically asked Cash to sing two songs by other artists. Worse yet, the two songs denigrated two different groups of people. Welfare Cadillac mocked poor people who depended on welfare, and Okie from Muskogee ridiculed the rebellious hippies who Nixon found offensive.
I can only imagine President Nixon's surprise when Cash stood before the group and chose to sing one of his own songs instead. The song carried a profound message. It was entitled: "What Is Truth?"
"The old man turned off the radio
Said, "Where did all of the old songs go
Kids sure play funny music these days
They play it in the strangest ways"
Said, "it looks to me like they've all gone wild
It was peaceful back when I was a child
" Well, man, could it be that the girls and boys
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?"
A little boy of three sittin' on the floor Looks up and says,
"Daddy, what is war?"
"Son, that's when people fight and die"
The little boy of three says "Daddy, why?"
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school
Being taught the golden rule
And by the time another year has gone around
It may be his turn to lay his life down
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking "What is truth?"
A young man sittin' on the witness stand
The man with the book says "Raise your hand"
"Repeat after me, I solemnly swear"
The man looked down at his long hair
And although the young man solemnly swore
Nobody seems to hear anymore
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair
And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?"
The young girl dancing to the latest beat
Has found new ways to move her feet
The young man speaking in the city square
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild
Are going to be the leaders in a little while
This old world's wakin' to a new born day
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way
You better help the voice of youth find "What is truth?" And the lonely voice of youth cries "What is truth?"
It is a well-done documentary. The content triggered some memories and thoughts better left buried with the passage of time, but I applaud the courage of Johnny Cash to "tell it like it is."
All the Best!
Don
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