12 September 2003 -- Death of Johnny Cash

Til Kingdom Come -- Coldplay

At about 2:00 am on 12 September 2003, Johnny Cash, troubadour, poet, and philosopher, shuffled off this mortal coil at Nashville’s Baptist Hospital. The official cause of death was complications arising from diabetes, but some who knew the legendary Man in Black suggest that heartache remaining from the passing of his beloved wife June some four months previously hastened his demise. The death of Johnny Cash was a tragedy for music, culture, and art. His was a unique voice, but his legacy lived on within the works of those musicians inspired by his talent, artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Merle Haggard, and countless others.

Perhaps Cash’s long-time friend and admirer Bob Dylan best stated what made the great man’s music so special:

“Truly he is what the land and country is all about, the heart and soul of it personified and what it means to be here; and he said it all in plain English. I think we can have recollections of him, but we can’t define him any more than we can define a fountain of truth, light and beauty. If we want to know what it means to be mortal, we need look no further than the Man in Black. Blessed with a profound imagination, he used the gift to express all the various lost causes of the human soul.”

Cash’s ability to touch what most defines us as human reached far beyond America’s shores. Chris Martin of the British band Coldplay wrote this song specifically for Johnny Cash. While touring America, Coldplay and Cash had originally intended to perform it together, but his deteriorating health put an end to those plans.

I personally think this song serves a perfect eulogy to the departed Cash.

Just an aside: Chris Martin would later perform this song at the funeral of Vice-President Joe Biden’s son, Beau. Still my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time, my time has come
Let me in, unlock the door
I never felt this way before

And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don't know which way I'm going
I don't know which way I've come

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I've waited all these years

For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day my day is done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait you'll wait for me

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh I heard you sing
I wouldn't change a single thing

The wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don't know which way I'm going
I don't know what I've become

For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come
Until my days my days are done
Say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me