You Are My Sunshine

Wikipedia

 "You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis 

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So I hung my head and I cried.

Johnny Cash — The Man Comes Around

A very moving album - I listen to it quite a lot.

The phrase "There's a man going around taking names" which begins the song is not merely a Biblical reference, it also refers to the song of that name popularized by folk singer Lead Belly

BBC

How does Johnny Cash do it? Take a hoary old chestnut like ''Bridge Over Troubled Water'': You've heard it so many times you're not just sick of it but are completely numb to any impact it might have. But yet here comes Mr Cash with that familiar wobbly, rough as torn sandpaper voice and yes, the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and you're on the verge of tears, such is the emotional power he can still generate.

Killer Songs

Here is Dinah Washington covering Bessie Smith. Send me to the electric chair.


Delia's Gone. Johnny Cash


Killing Floor. Wolf.

This post is giving me the willies.

Cocaine Blues

There are various tunes called Cocaine Blues. It seems it's a popular subject. Here's the Reverend Gary Davis version.

According to Wikipedia, Davis first heard the song in 1905 from a traveling carnival musician named Porter Irving. Versions similar to Davis' have been recorded by many musicians. Here's a take I really like by the late great Townes van Zandt, from his CD Roadsongs.

Here's Bob Dylan playing a very nice version of it live. Check out Dylan's guitar picking on this one.


There is also a western swing tune based on the melody to Little Sadie, which was popularized by Johnny Cash.


George Thorogood plays this one too...


Then along came J.J. Cale. (I guess everyone knows the super-famous 1977 close cover version by Eric Clapton...).

I Feel Like Going To Church - Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down

Johnny Cash God's Gonna Cut You Down


According to Wikipedia;

"God's Gonna Cut You Down", also known as "Run On", is a traditional folk song which has been recorded by numerous artists representing a variety of genres. The lyrics are a warning to sinners that no matter how hard they try, they will not avoid God's judgment; in the chorus, God Himself tells the narrator of the song to "Go tell that long tongue liar, / go and tell that midnight rider, / tell the rambler, the gambler, the back slider, / tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down", with some versions inserting slight variations in lyrics.

The song has, in the past, been modified to fit the boundaries of genres like country, folk, gospel and techno. As "God's Gonna Cut You Down", it was performed by Odetta on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues (1956) and Johnny Cash on the posthumously released American V: A Hundred Highways (2006). As "Run On", it was recorded, among others, by Elvis Presley. A version featuring vocals by Bill Landford & The Landfordaires was remixed by Moby and features on his album Play. The Blind Boys of Alabama also included the song on their Grammy-winning album "Spirit of the Century" in 2001.