Gone To Jackson

Unless you live in some sort of media void, you know that Johnny Cash died this past Friday. I got the news early that afternoon; I was getting out of MGH's car in front of Mr. Beef when my cell phone rang. It was Bunny, calling to offer to condolences.

Plenty has been written about The Man In Black, and I feel I have little to add that would be of interest or value. Though I'm not one to make much of celebrities, in a strange sort of way this felt like a personal loss. I think anyone who was a fan of Johnny Cash felt like they knew the man, who he was and what he was about. And when I hung up that phone call, the world seemed a lesser place, absent that rumbling voice.

When I asked, Bunny told me Johnny Cash died of complications from diabetes. I don't believe that. I think he died of heart ache. After June died it was only a matter of time before he made that last trip to Jackson. And now he has.

We saw houses falling from the sky,
where the mountains lean down to the sand.
We saw blackbirds circling 'round an old castle keep,
and I stood on the cliff and held your hand.

We walked trouble's brooding, windswept hills,
and we loved and we laughed the pain away.
At the end of the journey, when our last song is sung
will you meet me in Heaven someday?

We've seen the secret things revealed by God,
and we heard what the angels had to say.
Should you go first, or if you follow me,
will you meet me in Heaven someday?

Living in a mansion on the streets of gold,
at the corner of Grace and Rapture Way.
In sweet ecstasy while the ages roll,
will you meet me in Heaven someday?

-Meet Me In Heaven - written by Johnny Cash for his wife June.