Walk the Line Monologues

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

You know exactly what I'm telling you. We've already heard that song a hundred times. Just like that. Just... like... how... you... sing it.

Bring… bring it home? All right, let's bring it home. If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing one song. Huh? One song that people would remember before you're dirt. One song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on Earth. One song that would sum you up. You tellin' me that's the song you'd sing? That same Jimmy Davis tune we hear on the radio all day, about your peace within, and how it's real, and how you're gonna shout it? Or… would you sing somethin' different. Somethin' real. Somethin' you felt. Cause I'm telling you right now, that's the kind of song people want to hear. That's the kind of song that truly saves people. It ain't got nothin to do with believin' in God, Mr. Cash. It has to do with believin' in yourself.

I got a couple of songs I wrote in the Air Force. You got anything against the Air Force?

You've got me all revved up. Now I've asked you forty different ways and it's time you come up with a fresh answer.

I'm asking you to marry me. I love you, June. Now I know I said and done a lotta things, that I hurt you, but I promise, I'll never do that again. I only want to take care of you. I will not leave you like that dutch boy with your finger in the dam.

You're my best friend. Marry me.

Now I've asked you forty different ways and it's time you come up with a fresh answer.

Aw, June, love's more important than the tour.

You're an angel.

You've been there with me.

But I've done so many bad things.

My Daddy's right. It should have been me on that saw. Jack was so good. He would have done so many good things. What have I done? Just hurt everybody I know. I know I've hurt you. I'm nothin'.

Now, I'd like to remind you all that we're recording live, so you can't say "hell" or "shit" or anything like that!

You know what your problem is, June Carter? You are afraid to be in love, you are afraid of losing control, And you know what June Carter, I think you are afraid of livin' in my big fat shadow.

There's only one actually.

There's only one "if" in that sentence, June!

I-I thought it was a good point… I mean, there is only one.

Why don't you tell them about the flood? Tell 'em about how you made a boat out of the front door and got us all out of there. They'll like that.

Next time I ask you to marry me, I'm gonna come up with a different way.

Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency.

Once in El Paso, I had this bag of... Oh... you heard about that? You been in El Paso, too? Well, anyways, I felt tough, you know?. Like I'd seen a thing or two, you know? Well, that was till a moment ago... 'cuz I got to tell you, my hat's off to you now, 'cuz I ain't never had to drink this yellow water you got here at Folsom!

You know when I was in the service… I used to look at pictures of you… you know, in magazines.

No... Oh no, it wasn't like that. I mean, I... I liked your music, you know?

Yeah… Oh yeah, I mean, you were, well, you are… I mean, l-I kept track of you. You and your family. I listened to your voice my whole life, you know? Me and my brother, Jack… we always listened to your songs. Like "Swallerin' Place."

Yeah. We liked it when you'd sing one alone.

Don't give me no rules. All I got are rules.

It's funny, you know, because I haven't talked about Jack in a long time. After he passed I talked about him all the time. But I guess people grew tired of it... so I just stopped.

I'm really glad ya'll could be here today, especially you Dad, glad you came. Not everybody's here. Jack's not here is he, huh? Where you been? That's what you said to me, remember? I was twelve years old and he got Jack's bloody clothes, and you asked where I'd been.

On January 13th, I'll be at Folsom prison, with June and the boys. You listen to the tapes. If you don't like them, you can toss them.