The Man Comes Around

Cash became a Christian later in life, and this song is based 100% on Biblical verses and symbolism.

The verse in the beginning about the white horse: As someone already pointed out, the four beasts are not the four horsemen. The four beasts are angellic beings (among others) that exist in heaven and are described in Revelation 4. The white horse is the first of the Four Horsemen. Cash doesn't mention the horse's rider, however. Rev 6:2: "And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who say on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer." There are two popular interpretations as to the identity of the rider of the white horse. One is that the rider is the Antichrist, because war, famine, and death follow him. The other is that the Rider is Jesus Christ, as the color white has often been associated with Him. Also, the four beast saying "come and see" has frequently been translated differently, as simply "Come." The argument is that the beast didn't need to ask John the disciple to "come and see," as he was already seeing. The beast was calling to Christ, as so many have and do, to "come." Even the last verses in Revelation say "Even so, come Lord Jesus!" It seems to me that Cash believed Christ was riding the white horse, as authority is given only to Christ to judge - "he decides who to free, and who to blame." "Going around taking names" also refers to Christ - those whose names are in the Lamb's Book of Life will be saved, and held blameless. The "golden ladder reaching down" is most likely a reference to Genesis 28:12, when Jacob has his vision of the stairway reaching to heaven. "Terror in each sip and in each sup" most likely refers to Revelation 16, as angels are pouring forth bowls of God's wrath upon the earth. My guess is "will you partake of that last offered cup" refers to the offer of salvation through Christ. Christ prays to the Father in Matthew 26 to "let this cup pass away from me," referring to his approaching crucifixion. Also, the Psalmist in Psalm 116 says, "I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." "Or disappear into the potter's ground" most likely refers to Genesis when the Lord says "Dust you are, and to dust you will return." However, Christians alive when Christ returns will not die; only unbelievers.

Cash then goes into some less structured references: "Hear the trumpets hear the pipers" - The trumpets probably refer to the seven trumpet judgements in the Book of Revelation. The pipers reference is unclear to me, but possibly refers to the gathering of the masses for battle at Armageddon in Revelation 16. (Pipers are frequently associated with gathering.) This is probably why "the multitudes are marching" to the beat of a drum, "the big kettledrum." "Voices calling voices crying, some are born and some are dying" is probably referring to the difference between the saved and unsaved on that last day. Christ's return will be joyful for some, dreadful for others. "It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come" - If there was any doubt as to the Biblical basis for this song, let it be put to rest. Christ says in Revelation 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega. The First and the Last. The Beginning and the End." I do not know what the whirlwind and thorntree refers to. There are several references to each in the Bible, but I do not see Cash's connection. "The virgins are all trimming their wicks" refers to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. Five virgins (humanity) were waiting in the dark for the bridegroom (Jesus), and all woke up to trim the wicks on their lamps. But 5 of the virgins (unbelievers) were unprepared and did not have enough oil. The other 5 (the Church) brought plenty of oil. The first 5 had to leave to buy oil, and the Bridegroom came for the second 5 while they were gone. So will it be at The End. The kicking against the pricks is another reference to the thorntree, which I don't understand. "'Til Armageddon, no shalam, no shalom." is pretty clear. Shalam and shalom are both Hebrew words which refer to peace, or making peace. Until Christ returns, there will be no peace. The "father hen" calling "his chickens home" refers to the Christ coming for his church. "The wise men will bow down before the throne, and at his feet they cast their golden crowns" refers to Revelation 4, in which the 24 elders surrounding God's throne bow before him and lay down their crowns. The next three lines are direct references to Revelation 22:10-12: "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." "In measured hundred weight and penny pound" could refer to many things... The Black Horse of the Apocalypse carries scales. Scales are often used to represent justice, and the Lord is just. He will judge all according to their deeds. Only those covered by the blood of Christ will be found without blame. The quoted verse at the end, seems to me to be a warning, as the entire song is. Will you partake of that last offered cup? Or disappear into the potter's ground? Are you prepared for that time when the Man comes around?