About the song
Background
“The Man on the Hill” is a song by Johnny Cash, released in 1959 on his album “Songs of Our Soil.” It’s not entirely clear who wrote the song, though it’s credited to J.R. Cash (likely Johnny himself) on some releases. The song falls into the genre of folk music, a genre Cash was known for in his early career.
Themes
The song explores several themes:
- Isolation and Loneliness: The lyrics paint a picture of a man living alone on a hill, ostracized by the community below.
- Stoicism and Resilience: Despite his isolation, the man on the hill remains strong and endures his hardship.
- Judgment and Misunderstanding: The townspeople seem to judge the man on the hill, but the song doesn’t reveal why.
- Yearning for Connection: There’s a hint that the man on the hill desires connection with the town below, but feels unable to bridge the gap.
Legacy
“The Man on the Hill” is a lesser-known song in Cash’s vast catalog, but it still captures the essence of his early work. It’s a haunting ballad that explores themes of isolation and resilience, delivered in Cash’s signature baritone voice.
Video
Lyrics
Will we get cold and hungry will times be very badWhen we’re needin’ bread and meat where we gonna get it dadWe’ll get it from the man in the house on the hillYes we will from the man on the hillPloughin’ time is over still the fields are bareHow we gonna make a livin’ with twenty acres to shareI’ll beg for more land from the man on the hill yes I will I’ll ask the man on the hillI ain’t got no Sunday shoes that I can wear to townPapa reckon the boss has got a pair of hand-me-downsI’ll go and ask the man in the house on the hill yes I will I’ll ask the man on the hillMaybe he will help us maybe we’ll get byBut who’s gonna pay the dyin’ bills if we all should dieWe’ll leave it to the man in the sky when we dieYes we’ll leave it to the man in the sky