Johnny Cash – The Man Who Couldn’t Cry

Introduction to “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry” by Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, a name synonymous with country music, often delved into themes of hardship, redemption, and the human condition. One of his most poignant and introspective songs is “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry”.

Released in 1970 on his album “Johnny Cash at San Quentin,” this track offers a deeply personal exploration of emotional repression and the weight of unspoken pain.

Background

The song’s narrative centers around a man who has seemingly lost the ability to shed tears, a metaphor for the emotional detachment and resilience that can develop in the face of adversity. Cash’s gravelly, resonant voice delivers the lyrics with raw authenticity, conveying the character’s internal struggle and the toll it takes on his psyche.

The opening lines set the stage: “I’m a man who can’t cry, I’ve tried so hard to find a reason why.” The character’s inability to express his emotions is presented as a perplexing and isolating condition.

The repetition of “I can’t cry” serves to emphasize the character’s emotional paralysis, highlighting the contrast between his outward appearance of stoicism and his inner turmoil.

As the song progresses, the character delves into the reasons behind his emotional detachment. He recounts the hardships he has endured, including the loss of loved ones and the challenges of life on the road. These experiences have seemingly hardened his heart, making it difficult for him to connect with his emotions.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

There once was a man and he couldn’t cry
He hadn’t cried for years and for years
Napalmed babies, the movie love story
For instance could not produce tears

As a child he had cried as all children will
Then at some point his tear ducts all ran dry
Grew to be a man, it all hit the fan
Things got bad, but he couldn’t cry

His dog got ran over, his wife up and left him
After that he got sacked from his job
Lost his arm in the war, was left at by a whore
Ah, but sill not a sniffle or sob

Well, his novel was refused, and his movie was panned
His big Broadway show was a flop
He got sent off to jail, you guessed it, no bail
Oh, but still not a dribble or drop

In jail he was beaten, bullied and buggered
And made to make license plates
Water and bread was all he was fed
Not once did a tear stain his face

Doctors were called in, scientists, too
Theologians were last and practically least
They all agreed sure enough; this is no cream puff
Oh, but in fact an insensitive beast

He was taken from jail and placed in a place
For the insensitive and the insane
He made lot of friends and he played lot of chess
And he cried every time it would rain