House Church Talk - Man in Black (1932-2003)

[David Anderson]

      Man in Black by Johnny Cash

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. 

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. 

I wear the black for those who never read, 
Or listened to the words that Jesus said, 
About the road to happiness through love and  
 charity, 
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and 
 me. 

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose, 
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are  
 held back, 
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black. 

I wear it for the sick and lonely old, 
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them  
 cold, 
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that  
 could have been 
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men. 

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died, 
Believen' that the Lord was on their side, 
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have  
 died, 
Believen' that we all were on their side. 

Well, there's things that never will be right I  
 know, 
And things need changin' everywhere you go, 
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few  
 things right 
You'll never see me wear a suit of white. 

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day, 
And tell the world that everything's OK, 
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my 
 back, 
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man in Black. 

(c) 1971, House of Cash, Inc.

       HI all,  

I forward this poem for your reflection on our day of praise and 
testimony, house church topics laid aside.

Johnny's wife, June, was a Carter who lived up the road just 25 miles.

       David Anderson
        Man in Brown  (UPS employee, that is.)
        Bristol, TN