Johnny Cash II

Summer, 2022 / No. 49

Would you please sing to me of that pretty place, Johnny Cash?

With green, green grass, terrible beauty, and memories of Jackson,

Where I gave my love to Brian Boru, and you gave yours to Rose.

Because I’m not convinced this world is for me,

With its dreary days, concrete parks, and young boys with rifles, so

Would you please sing to me of that pretty place, Johnny Cash?

On our way there, you’ll wear your heart like a guitar strap,

Low slung, on a dusty trail, exposed but safe, just here,

Where I gave my love to Brian Boru, and you gave yours to Rose.

And if I beg, plead, borrow, loot, lie, and steal,

Just to quiet the rage in my aching heart,

Would you please sing to me of that pretty place, Johnny Cash?

Because all I have are faded memories,

Of better times, of lesser cares, of a simple place,

Where I gave my love to Brian Boru, and you gave yours to Rose.

Please let us not stop by the side of a bare road, you and I,

Let’s drive through the night, through Memphis, through Dublin. Home,

Where you sang to me of that pretty place, Johnny Cash,

And I gave my love to Brian Boru, and you gave yours to Rose.

Deanna McFadden recently bought a fixer-upper in the Village of Brockton. Currently, not losing her mind is on the top of her list of priorities. She has contributed to the magazine since 1999. Last updated summer, 2006.