Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down

Introduction:

Released posthumously in 2006, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” became a surprise hit for the legendary country singer Johnny Cash. The song found a new audience decades after its initial composition, thanks in part to Cash’s powerful and haunting delivery. While credited to Cash himself, the origins of the song trace back further, existing as a traditional gospel tune with various titles and iterations throughout the 20th century.

Cash’s version, featured on his critically acclaimed album American V: A Hundred Highways, stripped the song down to its bare essentials. Produced by the enigmatic Rick Rubin, known for his work with a wide range of artists from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Adele, American V marked a late-career resurgence for Cash. Rubin’s minimalist approach allowed Cash’s weathered voice and introspective lyrics to take center stage.

“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a stark and uncompromising message about mortality and divine judgment. The song warns of the inevitability of death, regardless of one’s actions in life. Cash delivers the lyrics with a gravelly sincerity, his voice imbued with the wisdom of a man who has lived a long and eventful life. The simple but effective instrumentation, featuring acoustic guitar and subtle percussion, further emphasizes the weight of the message.

Despite its religious theme, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” transcends genre limitations. The song resonates with a universality that speaks to anyone who has contemplated their own mortality. Cash’s performance, a masterclass in understated intensity, struck a chord with a new generation of listeners unfamiliar with his earlier work. The song became a cultural touchstone, appearing in popular television shows and films like “Those Who Wish Me Dead.”

“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” stands as a testament to Johnny Cash’s enduring legacy. Released towards the end of his life, the song became one of his most commercially successful and critically acclaimed recordings. It serves as a powerful reminder of Cash’s ability to deliver a simple message with profound impact, a testament to the enduring power of his voice.

Video:

Lyrics:

… Oh my God

… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down

… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down

… Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head’s been wet with the midnight dew
I’ve been down on bended knee
Talkin’ to the man from Galilee

… He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, “John, go do my will!”

… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down

… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down

… Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin’ in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What’s down in the dark will be brought to the light

… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down

… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down

… Oh yeah
Cut him down
Cut him down
Cut him down