“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Have you ever heard a song that just grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn’t let go? That’s exactly what Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” does. Recorded live at San Quentin prison in 1969, this song isn’t just a performance; it’s an experience, a story told with all the raw emotion and grit that Cash was known for.
What makes “A Boy Named Sue” so special? For starters, it’s a song that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking. Written by the legendary Shel Silverstein, it tells the tale of a boy who grows up tough because of his unusual name, and his quest for revenge on the father who gave it to him. The narrative is rich with humor and irony, but at its core, it’s a story about identity, resilience, and the complexities of father-son relationships.
Performed in front of an audience of inmates, Cash’s delivery is nothing short of electrifying. You can almost feel the energy in the room, the way his voice reverberates off the walls, and the roars of laughter and applause from the crowd. It’s a testament to Cash’s unique ability to connect with people, to make them feel seen and heard, even in their darkest moments.
The live version of this song is particularly poignant because it captures the essence of Cash’s rebellious spirit and his empathy for the marginalized. His performance at San Quentin wasn’t just a concert; it was an act of solidarity, a way of giving voice to those who felt voiceless.
And then there’s the unforgettable twist at the end of the song. When Sue finally confronts his father, expecting a fight, he gets an explanation instead. It’s a moment that’s both funny and unexpectedly tender, reminding us that sometimes the things that hurt us the most are also the things that make us strongest.
“A Boy Named Sue” isn’t just a song; it’s a journey. It’s a reminder that we all have battles to fight, and sometimes, those battles shape us in ways we never could have imagined. It’s about finding strength in adversity and humor in hardship, and it’s a testament to the power of storytelling through music.
Video
Lyrics
Thank you
Well, my daddy left home when I was three
Didn’t leave very much to my mom and me
Except this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze
Now I don’t blame him ’cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that my daddy ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue
Well, he must’ve thought that it was quite a joke
And I got a lot of laughs from a lots of folk
Seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I’d turn red
And some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head
I tell you, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue
But I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fist got hard and my wits got keener
Roam from town to town to hide my shame
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
I’d search the honky tonks and bars
And kill that man that gave me that awful name
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
Thought I’d stop and have myself a brew
At an old saloon on a street of mud
There at a table, dealing stud
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn out picture that my mother had
Knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye
He was big and bent and gray and old
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said, “My name is Sue, how do you do?
Now you gonna die”, that’s what I told him
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear
Then I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the walls and into the street
Kicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer
Well, I tell you, I’ve fought tougher men
But I really can’t remember when
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile
Well, I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss
And he reached for his gun but I pulled mine first
He stood there lookin’ at me and I saw him smile
And he said, “Son, this world is rough
And if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough
I knew I wouldn’t be there to help you along
So I give you that name, and I said goodbye
And I knew you’d have to get tough or die
It’s that name that helped to make you strong”
He said, “Now you just fought one heck of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right to kill me now
And I wouldn’t blame you if you do
But you ought to thank me, before I die
For the gravel in ya gut and the spit in ya eye
‘Cause I’m the son of a bitch that named you Sue”
What could I do?
Well, I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
I called him my pa, and he called me his son
Come away with a different point of view
And I think about him, now and then
Every time I try and every time I win, and if I ever have a-
Well, if I ever have a boy, I’ll name him
Frank or George or Bill or Tom, anything but Sue
I don’t want him go around, man call him Sue all his life
That’s a horrible thing to do to a boy trying to get a hold in the world
Named a boy a Sue