There are times when we like to act like tourists in our own town and go to places that locals tend to ignore. Sunday was one of those times. We had brunch in downtown Nashville and walked a few blocks to the Johnny Cash Museum.
I never saw Johnny Cash perform, and that is one of my regrets. However, I had a brief encounter with him at a bookstore. Honestly, I thought that would have been mentioned somewhere in the museum, but, for some reason, they left that out.
The museum offered glimpses into many phases of his life. Throughout the tour, samples of his music play overhead. Also, there are listening stations that represent different musical times in his life. It is a great chance to hear how his music, message and voice changed through the decades.
When I picked up one set of headphones, the station played a song that I always thought was cool because it sounds hard to sing. “I’ve Been Everywhere” is a fast-paced tune that names places that the singer has visited. It sounds almost like Rap and proves difficult to understand in some spots.
Yesterday, I looked up the song to figure out the lyrics and found out some interesting tidbits. First, it was written by an Australian and listed Australian towns. Then, Hank Snow picked it up and changed locations. At some point, Johnny Cash recorded it, and.
As I listened to the song, I began to wonder how many places in the song I have visited. It turns out that I have not been everywhere, but I have been to a few places. They are in bold.
I was totin’ my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high and canvas covered load
If you’re going to Winnemucca, mack, with me you can ride
So I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I’d seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, “Listen, I’ve traveled every road in this here land”
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
I’ve been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo
Minnesota, Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow
Sarasota, Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa
Oklahoma, Tampa, Panama
Mattawa, La Paloma, Bangor
Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo
Tocopilla, Barranquilla and
Padilla, I’m a killer
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
I’ve been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton
Louisiana, Washington, Houston
Kingston, Texarkana, Monterey, Ferriday
Santa Fe, Tallahoosa, Glen Rock
Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake
Grand Lake, Devil’s Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete’s sake
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
I’ve been to Louisville, Nashville
Knoxville, Ombabika, Shefferville
Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield
Shreveport, Hackensack, Cadillac
Fond Du Lac, Davenport, Idaho, Jellicoe
Argentina, Diamontina, Pasadena
Catalina, see what I mean’a
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravellburg
Colorado, Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg
El Dorado, Larrimore, Atmore, Haverstraw
Chattanooga, Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska
Opelika, Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo
Kansas City, Sioux City, Cedar City
Dodge City, what a pity
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
I’ve been everywhere
Yeah, I have acted like a tourist in a lot of places.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
You’ve been more places in this song than I have, but Mr. Cash was my neighbor when I was growing up, and I did get to hear him and his wife, June, sing from time to time.
That’s very cool. Going through the museum, we talked about how sad it was when the house burned down.
Thanks for commenting.
You’ve been more places than I have, or maybe just different places. I always like Johnny Cash. There was something especially human about him. And I liked his music, even when he sang flat.
Johnny Cash was not a great singer, but he had something.
I’m not a fan of Johnny Cash but he had a hard, interesting life.
That’s true. I learned that his name was JR. The military wouldn’t accept that and made him pick a name. He chose John.
Thanks for reading and for commenting.
Reblogged this on TheFurio.
Love Cash, but this is interesting:
Wiki says: “I’ve Been Everywhere” is a song which was written by Australian country singer Geoff Mack in 1959, and made popular by Lucky Starr in 1962.
The song (as originally written) listed Australian towns. It was later adapted by Canadian Hank Snow for North American (predominantly United States) toponyms and by John Hore (later known as John Grenell) with New Zealand toponyms (1966).”
Amazin’ I tell ya!
Very amazing. I didn’t know about its Australian history until I started writing this post.
Oh! Just last night we were just discussing things to do in Nashville. I didn’t know there was a Cash museum there. Adding to the list for an upcoming trip! Anything else there I should know about? Relatives visiting from DC…
There are tons of things to do. When I am not as sleepy, I will provide a list.
I love Johnny Cash! There are 2 people I wish I could have seen perform – Johnny Cash and Freddie Mercury.
They are two great ones.