Johnny Cash's note to wife June voted greatest love letter of all time

[kpete]

cc: mr pete
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2947362/Johnny-Cash-s-message-wife-June-beats-John-Keats-voted-greatest-love-letter-time.html

[a kennedy]

1. OMGosh......I'm bawling reading this.....

[Divernan]

2. "Hello. I'm Johnny Cash."

I've always loved his music, his voice and especially his trademark opening.

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a singer-songwriter, actor, and author,widely considered one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.

Although primarily remembered as a country music icon, his genre-spanning songs and sound embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal won Cash the rare honor of multiple induction in the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.

Cash was known for his deep bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor,[4] free prison concerts, and trademark look, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black". He traditionally began his concerts with the simple "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." followed by his signature "Folsom Prison Blues".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Cash

I never got to hear him "live", but I got to hear his oldest daughter Roseanne perform at a terrific outdoor benefit concert for a local residential school for abandoned &/or troubled kids.

[blm]

6. Roseanne Cash's Seven Year Ache album belongs in any collection of 'greats'.

Johnny Cash - what a legacy.

[Grins]

3. Not even close...

The greatest letter I ever heard was in Ken Burn's documentary, "The Civil War"; a union soldier from Maine's letter to his wife before battle. Describes how he will be there with her, even if he is killed.* Far better than any in that link (to me at least).

I did notice that every-day letter writer, St. Ron of Reagan, love letters to Nancy didn't make the cut. Probably too graphic.

* He was killed soon after he wrote that letter.

[crazylikafox]

5. I think you're right.

I only watched "The Civil War" once over 20 years ago, but that letter still stands out to me. It had me in tears.

[Journeyman]

8. Sullivan Ballou . . .

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/war/ballou_letter.html

[FailureToCommunicate]

9. Yes! That's the one!

[Duppers]

20. gulp...

A person I loved sent that to me before the Civil War Series was aired. It made me cry.
Fond memories. Sigh.

[Punkingal]

4. Not surprised....

He absolutely adored her. He lit up like a Christmas tree when she came on stage to sing with him.

[mountain grammy]

7. This is beautiful and I love it for kind of a silly reason.

It doesn't mention prayer but meditation. It doesn't mention God, Jesus or have any religious reference. It's between two people, no third party necessary.

In other words, it's honest.

[Phentex]

11. That's what I was thinking about the letter just above. God this. God that.

I like Johnny's much better.

[Arugula Latte]

10. Okay, just have to say this about Gerald Ford's letter to Betty:

He addresses her as "Mom," as in "Dearest Mom..."

Ew. Ew. Ew. Reagan did that to Nancy, too. It creeps me out when grown men call their own wife "Mom."

If my husband ever called me "Mom" I'd give him a therapist's number so he could go deal with his mommy issues.

[Phentex]

12. Well, yeah, but I don't want my husband calling me princess either!

He sometimes calls me "Doll" which I find so old fashioned!

[Arugula Latte]

13. That's a good point. Princess is a bit much.

Thanks for the reply, Doll Face.

[William769]

14. Johnny Cash & June Carter - Jackson

[Elwood P Dowd]

15. One of the least played Cash songs was one of his best.

Cash singing The Ballad Of Ira Hayes to an Indian audience.

[X_Digger]

16. ...

[Glassunion]

17. Tied for 1st place in my best cover songs ever category.

[Mojorabbit]

19. Number one for me

He looks so much like my dad who has been gone for 8 years in this video which compounds it.

[Glassunion]

18. Pure class