I Hung My Head

Johnny Cash

About I Hung My Head

"I Hung My Head" is a song written by the singer-songwriter Sting and released on the 1996 album Mercury Falling. It reflects Sting's childhood fondness for TV Westerns, as well as his avowed interest in Country music, but also tackles deeper and more philosophical themes of life and death, justice and redemption. Blue Highway released a bluegrass version of the song in 1999 on their self-titled album Blue Highway. In 2002, Johnny Cash covered the song in the album American IV: The Man Comes Around. Sting re-recorded the song in an orchestral version for his 2010 album Symphonicities. It tells the story of a boy who shoots a man, the resulting shame, and the consequences he faces. 


Year:
2003
3:52
633 
#2

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Early one morning
With time to kill
I borrowed Jebb's rifle
And sat on a hill
I saw a lone rider
Crossing the plain
I drew a bead on him
To practice my aim

My brother's rifle
Went off in my hand
A shot rang out
Across the land
The horse, he kept running
The rider was dead
I hung my head
I hung my head

I set off running
To wake from the dream
My brother's rifle
Went into the sheen
I kept on running
Into the south lands
That's where they found me
My head in my hands

The sheriff he asked me
Why had I run
And then it come to me
Just what I had done
And all for no reason
Just one piece of lead
I hung my head
I hung my head

Here in the court house
The whole town was there
I see the judge
High up in the chair
Explain to the court room
What went through your mind
And we'll ask the jury
What verdict they find

I felt the power
Of death over life
I orphaned his children
I widowed his wife
I begged their forgiveness
I wish I was dead
I hung my head
I hung my head
I hung my head
I hung my head

Early one morning
With time to kill
I see the gallows
Up on a hill
And out in the distance
A trick of the brain
I see a lone rider
Crossing the plain

And he'd come to fetch me
To see what they'd done
And we'll ride together
To kingdom come
I prayed for God's mercy
'Cause soon I'd be dead
I hung my head
I hung my head

I hung my head
I hung my head

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Johnny Cash

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal led to Cash being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. more »

19 fans

Written by: GORDON SUMNER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


5 facts about this song

Song Composition
1. "I Hung My Head" was originally written and performed by Sting for his 1996 album, "Mercury Falling". 2. Sting is known for his fusion of jazz, rock, classical, and worldbeat in his music, which reflects on this song.
Cover Versions
3. Johnny Cash covered "I Hung My Head" in his 2002 album, "American IV: The Man Comes Around", as part of his series of American Recordings. 4. Cash's cover of "I Hung My Head" is widely recognized and praised for adding his distinctive style and deeply resonant voice to the song. 5. The Blue Highway, a popular bluegrass band, also covered "I Hung My Head" in 2014, introducing the song to a new audience of bluegrass fans. 6. The Blue Highway’s version sticks to bluegrass instrumentation, offering a unique take on the song.
Song Theme and Lyrics
7. The song "I Hung My Head" tells a vivid story of regret and redemption, a common theme in country and folk music, but unusual for Sting who was primarily known for pop and rock. 8. The lyrics tell the tale of a young man who accidentally kills another, then has to face the consequences of his actions – a theme that resonated with Johnny Cash's outlaw image.
Song Recognition
9. Johnny Cash's version of "I Hung My Head" was prominently featured in the 2012 movie, "Flight", starring Denzel Washington. 10. Sting performed "I Hung My Head" at the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors, as part of a tribute to honoree Bruce Springsteen. 11. In a critical review of the album, music critic Robert Christgau praised Johnny Cash's cover and called it a "a virtuoso narrative."
Song Interpretation
12. Some fans interpret the song as a metaphor for the guilt and self-reckoning one faces after making a huge mistake. 13. Other fans believe the song is a commentary on the serious consequences of thoughtless actions.

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