Johnny Cash American VI: Ain't No Grave - His Last Words

By Jesse Carey
CBN.com Interactive Media Producer

CBN.com – Editor's Note: This piece originally ran in February following the release of Johnny Cash’s final album. This Sunday, September 12, marks the 7-year anniversary of his death.

Last week, the final installment of Johnny Cash’s American series, Johnny Cash American VI: Ain’t No Grave, was released days before on what would have been Cash’s 78th birthday. The series of albums was recorded in the final years of his somewhat infamous life—but despite the influence of his early work, which marked his rise, it’s the American records that sealed his legacy.

Johnny Cash’s early albums, which often only hinted at dark undertones and struggles of faith, love and addiction, were often laced with polished, foot-tapping honky-tonk rockabilly guitar and the classic country sound he helped to popularize. But in the American series, which were recorded in the living room of producer Rick Rubin with just an acoustic guitar and in the studio with minimal accompaniment, the sound is raw, and at times, unsettlingly intimate. Still present is Cash’s deep baritone vocals, but instead of the swaggered steadiness of Cash’s other recordings, his voice is aged, at times even shaky, as he dealt with a neurodegenerative disease that was slowly draining his life—but not his soul.

The American series, six albums that contain a stripped-down collection of gospel classics, hand-selected covers and somber originals, aren’t so much a final statement as they are a reflection. Cash had written two autobiographies and was vocal about his deep faith, his personal struggles and passions. His final albums didn’t need to clear the air or set the record straight. They weren’t for the masses. They were for him.

These are the last thoughts of a man looking back on his life—and looking ahead to eternity.

The title track from Ain’t No Grave, a cover of the ‘50s-era country staple, is a haunting, fearless look at meeting the God who delivered him from drugs and changed his life, finally face-to-face. The sounds of chains dragging—or maybe chains being broken—can be heard behind a rumbling acoustic guitar as Cash proclaims, “When I hear that trumpet sound / I’m gonna rise right out of the ground / ain’t no grave gonna hold me down.”

Cash’s once authoritative voice, trembles when he sings, “Meet me Jesus, meet me / meet me in the middle of the air / and if these wings don’t fail me / I will meet you anywhere / ain’t no grave …”

Johnny Cash was the quintessential American artist. Even though his legacy may not have defined American culture, in many ways it paralleled it. Being born in the Depression-era South and moving to Memphis as a struggling songwriter, Cash witnessed the birth of American pop-music first hand. He toured with Elvis Presley. He had his own variety show, and starred in movies. Cash rode the rise of top-40 radio, and became an icon.

But even while helping to establish popular culture, Cash was unsettled. He was a rebel. He was always moving on to the next thing. He was the man in black.

But more than the way his life paralleled pop culture, it is allegorical to the contemporary American church. Unlike many regions of the world where religious roots are deepened by thousands of years of history, America’s legacy of faith only traces back a handful of generations. Our national church isn’t one established by government or credence, but by collectivism and trends. Like Johnny Cash, we’re a culture of spiritual wanderers—at times conflicted, but always sincere.

Cash was an icon who talked with Presidents and sang to stadiums. He was also a man that was dropped from his label and at times struggled with addiction and the law. Over the past 100 or so years, the American church shifted at times in its own political influence, cultural relevance and ability draw the masses. But, the same thing that kept Johnny Cash grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ, is what has endeared—and sustained—the American church: the power of redemption.

Cash’s music has the power to move you, and church has the power comfort you. But only God has the power to save you. That’s why both matter.

Like Cash’s quivering voice looking toward Heaven in his final years, at the end of the day, even mega-church buildings will crumble away. Sure, some people may only see the church in America as a larger symbol—like Cash’s black coat or gunslinger persona—but peel back the layers, and you realize that at its core, its got nothing to do with what’s on the outside. It’s personal.

From the Puritan beginnings and Great Awakening revivals to Billy Graham crusades and Bible-belt influence, the American church has gone through many outwardly observable phases. But look closer, listen to the shaking voice of the old country singer, and you see it’s about something simpler. The church isn’t the building or trends, personas or success—it’s about the individual, down on their knees, turning to God to turn everything around. Finding redemption.

Johnny Cash may have passed away in 2003, but he’s never really died. Cash left us his music—but more than that, he left us his story. He left his fans—and he left the American Church—an inspirational narrative to remind us that life might be temporal, but salvation is forever. Redemption lasts. And this week, he left us a reminder: “Ain’t no grave, gonna hold me down.”

Johnny Cash American VI: Ain't No Grave released Feb. 23

Jesse Carey is the Interactive Media Producer for CBN.com. With a background in entertainment and pop-culture writing, he offers his insight on music, movies, TV, trends and current events from a unique perspective that examines what implications the latest news has on Christians.