About the song
Johnny Cash’s rendition of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a stirring and powerful track that resonates deeply with its listeners. Recorded in 2003, this traditional folk song found new life in Cash’s deep, resonant voice, becoming one of the standout tracks on his posthumously released album, *American V: A Hundred Highways* in 2006. This album was part of the critically acclaimed American series produced by Rick Rubin, which played a significant role in reviving Cash’s career in the 1990s and 2000s.
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a traditional spiritual, with its roots tracing back to American folk music and gospel traditions. Its lyrics deliver a stark warning about divine retribution and the inescapable nature of moral accountability, themes that fit perfectly with Cash’s persona as the Man in Black, known for his rebellious yet introspective music.
Upon its release, the song was met with widespread acclaim. Cash’s interpretation, with its minimalist arrangement primarily featuring acoustic guitar and rhythmic hand claps, allowed his voice to take center stage, conveying a sense of gravity and inevitability. The song’s haunting and relentless beat underscores the message of inevitable justice that Cash delivers with conviction.
The music video for “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” further cemented its impact, featuring a host of celebrities and musicians paying tribute to Cash, underscoring his influence across generations and genres. The song charted well, reflecting Cash’s enduring legacy and the timelessness of the message he conveyed.
For fans of Johnny Cash and those new to his music, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a testament to his unique ability to breathe new life into traditional songs, making them relevant for contemporary audiences while preserving their original spirit. This track, in particular, stands out as a powerful reminder of Cash’s profound connection to the roots of American music and his exceptional talent in storytelling through song.
Video
Lyrics
… Oh my God
… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
… Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head’s been wet with the midnight dew
I’ve been down on bended knee
Talkin’ to the man from Galilee
… He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, “John, go do my will!”
… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut ’em down
… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
… Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin’ in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What’s down in the dark will be brought to the light
… You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
… Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ’em that God’s gonna cut you down
… Oh yeah
Cut him down
Cut him down
Cut him down