[ti:A Boy Named Sue] [ar:Johnny Cash] [al:Ultimate Grammy Collection: Classic Country] [by:lrc.d4321.com]
[00:07.460] My daddy left home when I was three [00:09.480] And he didn't leave much to ma and me [00:11.290] Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze. [00:16.540] Now' I don't blame him cause he run and hid [00:18.730] But the meanest thing that he ever did [00:20.910] Was before he left' he went and named me "Sue." [00:27.110] Well' he must o' thought that is quite a joke [00:29.480] And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk' [00:32.100] It seems I had to fight my whole life through. [00:36.490] Some gal would giggle and I'd get red [00:38.930] I tell ya' life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue." [00:48.390] Well' I grew up quick and I grew up mean' [00:50.700] My fist got hard and my wits got keen' [00:53.070] I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame. [00:57.820] But I made a vow to the moon and stars [01:00.130] That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars [01:02.440] And kill that man who gave me that awful name. [01:07.010] Well' it was Gatlinburg in mid-July [01:08.440] And I just hit town and my throat was dry' [01:12.260] I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew. [01:16.630] At an old saloon on a street of mud' [01:18.820] There at a table' dealing stud' [01:21.380] Sat the dirty' mangy dog that named me "Sue." [01:25.940] Well' I knew that snake was my own sweet dad [01:28.440] From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had' [01:30.630] And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye. [01:35.320] He was big and bent and gray and old' [01:37.690] And I looked at him and my blood ran cold [01:40.070] And I said: "My name is 'Sue!' How do you do! [01:45.070] Now your gonna die!!" [01:49.690] Well' I hit him hard right between the eyes [01:54.190] And he went down' but to my surprise' [01:56.940] He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear. [02:01.250] But I busted a chair right across his teeth [02:03.500] And we crashed through the wall and into the street [02:05.940] Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer. [02:10.820] I tell ya' I've fought tougher men [02:12.690] But I really can't remember when' [02:15.250] He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile. [02:20.060] I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss' [02:22.520] He went for his gun and I pulled mine first' [02:25.200] He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile. [02:28.670] And he said: "Son' this world is rough [02:32.170] And if a man's gonna make it' he's gotta be tough [02:34.550] And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along. [02:39.000] So I give ya that name and I said goodbye [02:41.560] I knew you'd have get to tough or die [02:43.960] And it's the name that helped to make you strong." [02:49.840] He said: "Now you just fought one hell of a fight [02:52.340] And I know you hate me' and you got the right [02:54.770] To kill me now' and I wouldn't blame you if you do. [02:59.270] But ya ought to thank me' before I die' [03:01.830] For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye [03:04.330] Cause I'm the son-of-a-***** that named you "Sue.'" [03:12.410] I got all choked up and I threw down my gun [03:14.920] And I called him my pa' and he called me his son' [03:17.090] And I came away with a different point of view. [03:21.780] And I think about him' now and then' [03:24.100] Every time I try and every time I win' [03:26.850] And if I ever have a son' I think I'm gonna name him