About the song
“The Man Comes Around” is a powerful and reflective track from Johnny Cash’s final studio album, *American IV: The Man Comes Around*, released in 2002. This song holds a significant place in Cash’s discography as one of his last compositions before his passing. Written several years before the album’s release, Cash updated the song to fit the album’s themes, blending his deep, resonant voice with spoken and sung elements.
The song is rich with Biblical imagery and references, particularly from the Book of Revelation. It opens with a spoken introduction from Revelation 6:1-2, which describes the arrival of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This sets the tone for the song, which speaks of the coming of Jesus Christ for final judgment. The chorus evokes vivid imagery of trumpets, pipers, and angels, reflecting the dramatic and awe-inspiring events described in Revelation.
Throughout the song, Cash draws upon various Biblical stories and symbols. The lyrics reference the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew, which speaks of readiness and vigilance for Christ’s return. Another reference is to Acts 26:14, highlighting the futility of resisting divine will, and the wise men bowing before the Lord, echoing Revelation 4:10. The phrase “Alpha and Omega” symbolizes God’s eternal presence and sovereignty.
Musically, the arrangement of “The Man Comes Around” is sparse yet impactful, featuring two guitars, a piano played in the bass register, and an electric organ. This minimalistic approach allows Cash’s voice and the song’s weighty lyrics to stand at the forefront.
The song was inspired by a vivid dream Cash had about Queen Elizabeth II, in which she compared him to “a thorn tree in a whirlwind.” Intrigued by this metaphor, Cash researched its biblical connections and found similarities in the Book of Job. This dream and its subsequent exploration deeply influenced the song’s creation.
An alternate version of the song, which omits the spoken introduction and outro, is included in the *Unearthed* box set (2003) and *The Legend of Johnny Cash* (2005). “The Man Comes Around” stands as a testament to Johnny Cash’s profound connection with Biblical themes and his unique ability to convey deep spiritual reflections through music.
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Lyrics
“And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder
One of the four beasts saying,
‘Come and see.’ and I saw, and behold a white horse”
There’s a man goin’ ’round takin’ names
And he decides who to free and who to blame
Everybody won’t be treated all the same
There’ll be a golden ladder reachin’ down
When the man comes around
The hairs on your arm will stand up
At the terror in each sip and in each sup
Will you partake of that last offered cup
Or disappear into the potter’s ground?
When the man comes around
Hear the trumpets hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singin’
Multitudes are marchin’ to the big kettledrum
Voices callin’, voices cryin’
Some are born and some are dyin’
It’s alpha and omega’s kingdom come
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
The virgins are all trimming their wicks
The whirlwind is in the thorn tree
It’s hard for thee to kick against the pricks
Till armageddon no shalam, no shalom
Then the father hen will call his chickens home
The wise man will bow down before the throne
And at his feet they’ll cast their golden crowns
When the man comes around
Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still
Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still
Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still
Listen to the words long written down
When the man comes around
Hear the trumpets hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singin’
Multitudes are marchin’ to the big kettledrum
Voices callin’, voices cryin’
Some are born and some are dyin’
It’s alpha and omega’s kingdom come
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree
The virgins are all trimming their wicks
The whirlwind is in the thorn trees
It’s hard for thee to kick against the prick
In measured hundredweight and penny pound
When the man comes around
“And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts
And I looked, and behold a pale horse
And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him”