About the song
“Cocaine Blues” is a song deeply intertwined with the legendary career of Johnny Cash. While its origins predate the Man in Black, it was Cash’s raw, powerful interpretations that cemented the song’s place in music history.
The song’s narrative, a gritty tale of addiction and regret, resonated with Cash’s outlaw image and provided a stark contrast to his often spiritual ballads. His most iconic performance of “Cocaine Blues” undoubtedly occurred at the infamous Folsom Prison concert in 1968. Here, Cash transformed the song, tailoring it to his surroundings. He replaced references to San Quentin with Folsom, infusing the song with a raw authenticity that electrified the audience. Additionally, his daring choice to include the provocative line “I can’t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down” added a layer of shock and intensity to the performance.
Cash’s connection to “Cocaine Blues” extended beyond Folsom Prison. He revisited the song on his 1960 album “Now, There Was a Song!” under the title “Transfusion Blues,” offering a sanitized version for a wider audience. However, it was the unfiltered, uncensored performances that truly captured the essence of the song. His 1969 Madison Square Garden concert, finally released in 2002, showcased another raw rendition, reminding listeners of Cash’s fearless approach to music.
The impact of Cash’s performances is undeniable. The song’s raw power and emotional depth have influenced countless artists, and his rendition remains a touchstone for understanding the complexities of the Man in Black. While “Cocaine Blues” has a rich history beyond Cash, it is his interpretations that have secured the song’s enduring legacy.
Video
Lyrics
Early one mornin’ while makin’ the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin’ 44 beneath my head
Got up next mornin’ and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run, but I ran too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez, Mexico
Laid in the hot joints takin’ the pill
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said, “Willy Lee, your name is not Jack Brown
You’re the dirty heck that shot your woman down”
Said, “Yes, sir, yes, my name is Willy Lee
If you’ve got the warrant, just read it to me
Shot her down because she made me slow
I thought I was her daddy, but she had five more”
When I was arrested, I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and it took me back
Had no friend for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail
Early next mornin’ ’bout a half past nine
I spied the sheriff coming down the line
Hopped and he coughed as he cleared his throat
He said, “Come on you dirty heck into that district court”
Into the courtroom, my trial began
Where I was handled by 20 honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw the little judge commence to look about
In about five minutes in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read in the first degree
I hollered, “Lordy, Lordy, have mercy on me”
The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
99 years in the Folsom pen’
99 years underneath that ground
I can’t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down
Come on, you gotta listen unto me
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be
This man has receptions
Mat Lock 850632 and Bad Shoulder 839879
They have receptions (should I come in and help all them?)
Yeah, I doubt that