Johnny Cash | pastordawn

When I was a child my father used to sing a song that puzzled me:

“It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. It takes a worried man to wing a worried song. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. I’m worried now, but I won’t be worried long.” listen here

I can still remember my young self wondering why this worried man won’t be worried for long. Now that my age often lets me know that there are fewer years ahead of me than there are behind me, I know full well that it is death that will end this worried man’s worries. I also know that it is the knowledge of our impending death that gives birth to our fear. Speaking at the Greenbelt Festival in 2004, John O’Donohue explores with wit, charm and wisdom the reality that we are all going to die and points to love as the powerful antidote to the fear that this realty inspires. O’Donohue insists that we all must sort out our fear of death in order to live fully!

Click on the image below to listen to John O’Donohue

I’m not what you would call a country music fan. But when it comes to Johnny Cash, well let’s just say, I was raised on his music. My Dad was a big fan and it was from my Dad that I learned to appreciate not just Cash’s music but his life and witness. But country music wasn’t cool where I grew up, so I tried not to let on that I like Johnny Cash. I remember waiting until my parents were out, before slipping the live album Folsom Prison Blues onto my Dad’s prized Hi Fi and crooning along with Mr. Cash as if I was June Carter herself.

I stumbled across this Memorial Tribute to the Man in Black and it not only brought back all sorts of treasured memories, it reminded me of a life lived with integrity and called me to remember all the many causes that Cash’s quest for truth introduced me to. I can’t think of a better way honour the Sabbath than to rest in Cash’s music. I trust that in addition to hearing the spirit of the man, you will also hear the Spirit of the God Johnny did his best to embody.

Enjoy! This one’s for you Dad!