Music Video

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
Vocals
Bob Wootton
Bob Wootton
Electric Guitar
W.S. Holland
W.S. Holland
Drums
Marshall Grant
Marshall Grant
Bass
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
Producer
Charlie Bragg
Charlie Bragg
Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black
Why you never see bright colors on my back
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on
[Verse 2]
I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime
But is there because he's a victim of the times
[Verse 3]
I wear the black for those who've never read
Or listened to the words that Jesus said
About the road to happiness through love and charity
Why, you think He's talkin' straight to you and me
[Verse 4]
Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose
In our streak of lightning cars and fancy clothes
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back
Up front, there oughta be a man in black
[Verse 5]
I wear it for the sick and lonely old
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold
I wear the black in mourning for the lives that could've been
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men
[Verse 6]
And I wear it for the thousands who have died
Believin' that the Lord was on their side
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died
Believin' that we all were on their side
[Verse 7]
Well, there's things that never will be right, I know
And things need changing everywhere you go
But till we start to make a move to make a few things right
You'll never see me wear a suit of white
[Verse 8]
Oh, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day
And tell the world that everything's okay
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back
Till things are brighter, I'm the man in black
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
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