Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line

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I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

I find it very, very easy to be true,
I find myself alone when each day's through,
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

As sure as night is dark and day is light,
I keep you on my mind both day and night,
And happiness I've known proves that it's right,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

You've got a way to keep me on your side,
You give me cause for love that I can't hide,
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine,
I keep my eyes wide open all the time,
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds,
Because you're mine, I walk the line.

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Lyrics submitted by toterkater

Track duration: 02:44

"I Walk the Line" as written by Rodney Crowell, Johnny Cash

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Walk the Line song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment:"Because you're mine,
    I walk the line".

    In addicts' speech, to be "straight" is be clean and sober, to refrain from using drugs and alcohol.

    To me walking the line is about exactly that.
    Flag bluephoenix36on September 12, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Johnny Cash was a devout Christian. In his book "Man in White", he writes about his calling to God, mentioning several times that his personal struggles with drugs, alcohol and the music business often conflicted with his religious beliefs. I always interpreted this song as Johnny's way of talking about his careful walk between the chasms of good and evil. Wanting to be a good Christian, but often feeling conflicted with his worldly lifestyle and career in show business--Johnny Cash was an amazing artist who will continue to live on in our thoughts for eternity. In the eyes of God, I'm sure any bad he did in pursuit of fame and his music career will surely be eclipsed by the happiness he brought to so many downtrodden people's lives, not to mention the religious writings he left behind. Johnny Cash was a great Christian and in light of his good works, I believe God has forgiven him for walking that line...
    Flag thechopperon July 23, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think Johnny Cash's delivery gives this song a slightly menacing/ambiguous edge. It's almost like the narrator knows deep down he's going to succumb to temptation, and he's working very hard to repress this fear by being overly emphatic about how easy it is for him to behave well. I know next to nothing about JC's marriages but I can't help wondering if he was giving it this ambiguous feel on purpose, singing in character; that is, Johnny Cash the man was aware of the self-delusion of Johnny Cash the song's narrator. If so it's one of those songs where the tone slyly subverts the meaning of the lyrics (see also "Don't Think Twice it's Alright", "Just one of Those Things").
    Flag radicoolon December 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He's a divided man, and he knows he's taking risks, and that his life in a state of jeopardy. His love is making him kind of foolish, and he can attach to someone in his life to make up for the deficit in other parts of life. Although he cares for his partner he says nothing of what she does for him other than trick him into taking care of her. What's he get out of it? He's "in love" and not thinking rationally. And so he's "walking the line"
    Flag playwithmeon June 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:one best of johnny cash songs. love it
    Flag MyDixbendragen69on March 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i dunno the history of this song but ill take this opportunity to say what i think "walking the line" means. I feel the songs is about a guy who loves a woman so much, he is completely happy and satisfied with this one person and doesn't so much as even look at other women. he never strays from his loved one... he walks the straight line... never to diverges from it (her).
    Flag snoopy1987on September 22, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Yeah sorry Rossx but It wasnt written by Vivian cos t was released when their mariage was on the rocks and it was when he was trying to get June Carter to love him. ALSO all the people who have seen the movie 'Walk the line" have you noticed how the story line is based around all the bad times and not around the good times like when he was a loving husband and father?
    Flag FISH_WEST_COASTon July 17, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Yeah, this song was about Rosanne Cash and not June (unfortunately), haha. Yeah Johnny Cash is legend!
    Flag mrsmojorisinon April 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:does that irritate anybody else or am i the only person who feels that way?
    Flag greeneyedbeaute08on April 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this was written for his first wife vivian to assure her that he wasn't cheating (even though he was), although in the movie it's depicted as if it's written for june. that movie was hardly accurate. his brother never died when he was younger and he got along fine with his father. they just embellished it for hollywood.
    Flag greeneyedbeaute08on April 21, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply

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