Photo Credit: Joel Baldwin, LOOK Magazine, April 29, 1969. p.72
When Johnny Cash sadly passed away on September 12, 2003, he left a vault load of unpublished poems, lyrics, letters and other writings. Many of these were published in book form in 2016 as Forever Words: The Unknown Poems. Now sixteen of these writings have been put into music for the first time as the recently released album, Johnny Cash: Forever Words.
“The Walking Wounded” was put into music by Cash’s daughter Rosanne. The lyrics highlight Johnny’s ability as a social commentator. Cash originally wrote the words in response to what he was reading about Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD. The lyrics can apply to anyone whose been a victim of oppression and discrimination. Even from the grave, the Man in Black continues to shine light in times of darkness.