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This progression sounds great! to play to the recording I am using a barred "C" using third and fith frets and muting the high "e" string, walk down to AM as Larry says and then Barred "f". Don't understand the lyrics however.. must be scr i pture. -DBWAY | 8/28/2003 |
The lyrics are scr i pture, the song is about the book of Armegedon. The spoken parts are when Jesus first came back. And I believe it was John's account. "I am the alpha and the omega" is a quote from Jesus meaning I am the beginning and the end. Love the song!
-hillbillymartin | 10/13/2003 |
The song is wrought with scr i pture probably the most meaningful is the reference to the whirlwind in the thorn tree (Ps 58:9). -Billy1R | 10/27/2003 |
Actually, it's the Book of Revelations, which Cash read and gave him the inspiration for the song. And while Jesus does come back to Earth in Revelations, the Man that Cash is most likely referring to is God, who also comes back to kick ass and take names.
Granted, depending on your belief system, God and Jesus might be the same being, but it's probably not worth debating here :).
And let me add, too, that this is a great transcr i ption and my thanks go out to the individual who posted it. Verily, I say unto you, this song rocks.
Jim -ronjon | 11/2/2003 |
great tab!! the actual walkdown in individual notes are: e|--------------------- b|--------------------- g|--------------------- d|--------------------- a|--3-2-0-------------- e|--------------------- -zac cantrell | 3/21/2004 |
During the Chorus play the open C chord, then use then fret the high e string for a "g" (3rd fret) note for the same voicing that is used in the recording.
DBWAY is right on with the Barre chord during the verse.
-codydicken | 9/4/2004 |
Cash said in an interview that this song was based on a dream he had about Queen Elizabeth. He said he dreamt she told him, "Johnny Cash, you are a whrilwind in a thorn tree."
-LarryGarrett | 10/2/2004 |
Definitely, barring that C makes it a hell of a lot easier to get that "boom-chicka- chick" sound. And open strumming the the C in the chorus is a nice little change. Good job fellas. -Murph316 | 11/16/2004 |
IT'S B!
I had mr travis tritt himself teach me how to play it when he played at my tribe's casino.
It's a full on B Major chord. No B7 no Bm ... B B B B B B B B B B!
-NDN -NDN | 2/26/2004 |
This song makes the hair on my arms stand up. I can't get enough of it. The first time I heard it I felt shivers go down my spine. I like how Johnny talks a lot of the song and then breaks into singing, it gives the song more texture. I believe it is about Jesus coming back...
-thistle | 12/20/2004 |
i play an open C twice and use my pinky for the muted 4 strums while strumming the e,b,g,and d strings only for the "chicka-chicka" part. this is relatively easy.
yeah, this song was first introduced to me in Dawn of the Dead's intro, and it had that same effect. i'm hooked now, best Cash song in my book.
i love the way he talks and sings as well, it's very sincere, no touch-ups in the studio -zwanphony | 12/23/2004 |
Its from Revelation...singular, not plural.
Also, its obvious that he is referring to the return of Christ. The words alpha and omega are Greek and used in the New Testament to refer to Jesus. Rev. 21:6-7 is where "It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come." comes from. This speaks of the eternality of Christ. In verse 7 he says "I will be his God." He is the beginning and the end. He said "before Abraham was, I AM," echoing the words of God the Father to Moses. So, is He God? If not, he's not the "good teacher" that most non-Christians claim he is...he's a liar...I for one think Jesus is LORD...
JC-Cash and Christ ROCK and this song is one of the most well-written songs ever. -matt76201 | 1/8/2005 |
Agreed, a great Cash song. Coupled with "Hurt" for Track 2, it's the most sincerely emotional 1-2 punch to start an album I've ever heard. Great work on the tab and follow-up notes, thanks to all who've contributed. -kstillman | 1/13/2005 |
Absolutely love this song...Well done on the tabs! Thanks! -rumpyryan06 | 2/1/2005 |
You can find the explanation in the American IV - When the Man Comes Around album.
He had a dream about meeting the Queen, who was (oddly) sewing. She said to him 'Why Johnny Cash - you've come to me like a thorn in a whirlwind' or something along those lines. He didn't know what it meant, but later found that is was in fact a quote (as someone correctly pointed out) from Revelations.
The song refers to the second coming, and takes a very depressing subject, but makes it more pallettable by using friendly analogies and an up-beat tune.
Most christians (and for the purposes of understanding the song - this includes JC - the Cash one not the Christ one!) find revalations a VERY scary book, given that it is the part where everyone gets judged - "Whoever is X let him be X still..."
I think that this is perhaps the most amazing piece oof Cash ever - and that's saying something!!
Peace. -paul_t_oconnor | 2/12/2005 |
Well, im not from USA and neither from England, can someone please write here what he says after the music ends? Please it would be great -guyayo | 8/16/2005 |
My Favorite Line, which i combined, is what he says at the begining and the end:
And I heard as it were the noise of thunder. One of the four beasts saying, "Come and see". and I saw and behold a white horse. and i heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts and i looked and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him -BBrock999 | 1/9/2006 |