Started out in Tennessee in 1944 When the doctor hollered, "It's a girl" My father hit the floor Then he hit the bottle And he signed his name And he drove off in the Nash And when that sun came up again He'd named me Johnny Cash
Hmm! Hmm! So at 22 I left my home To Nashville I did go To try to land me a little job Had to earn myself some dough I was workin' in a diner In a hair-net servin' hash And on my little apron Was embroidered Johnny Cash
Hmm! Hmm! I could-a had my pick of men If I'd been named Lucille But when they saw my uniform They just laughed and ate their meals So I just drink my coffee black In back behind the trash And curse that lousy drunkard Who had named me Johnny Cash
Then I walked the streets of Nashville I was feelin' low and lost Thought I'd go and change my name No matter what it cost I stood in line behind a man Who turned and in a flash He said, "My name is Sue" And I said, "Great, I'm Johnny Cash"
Hmm! Hmm! Now me and Sue is married With a little boy and girl The boy was christened Jessica And the girl was christened Earl And when my Sue comes home from work It's up the stairs we dash 'Cause I love to hear my little Susie say "I love you - Johnny Cash"