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Understand Your Man Lyrics
Don't call my name out your window when I'm leaving,
I won't even turn my head.
Don't send your kinfolks to give me no talking,
I'll be gone like I said.
You would say the same old thing that you've been saying all along,
Lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut 'til I'm gone,
Don't give me that old familiar crying, cussing, moan,
Understand your man,
I'm tired of your bad mouthing,
Understand your man.
You can give my other suit to the Salvation Army,
And everything else I leave behind.
I ain't taking nothing that'll slow down my traveling,
While I'm untangling my mind.
I ain't gonna repeat what I said anymore,
While I'm breathing air that ain't been breathed before,
I'll be as gone as the wild goose in Winter,
Then you'll understand your man,
Meditate on it,
Understand your man,
You hear me talking,
Understand your man,
Remember what I told you,
Understand your man.
I won't even turn my head.
Don't send your kinfolks to give me no talking,
I'll be gone like I said.
You would say the same old thing that you've been saying all along,
Lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut 'til I'm gone,
Don't give me that old familiar crying, cussing, moan,
Understand your man,
I'm tired of your bad mouthing,
Understand your man.
You can give my other suit to the Salvation Army,
And everything else I leave behind.
I ain't taking nothing that'll slow down my traveling,
While I'm untangling my mind.
I ain't gonna repeat what I said anymore,
While I'm breathing air that ain't been breathed before,
I'll be as gone as the wild goose in Winter,
Then you'll understand your man,
Meditate on it,
Understand your man,
You hear me talking,
Understand your man,
Remember what I told you,
Understand your man.
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I notice this vaguely follows "Dont think twice, its alright" by Bob Dylan (later covered by Cash as well) in the chord progression/melody. Love both songs.
*or maybe its the other way around, im not sure which came first
@skyjukeboxhero Dylan's song cam first, by just a little bit. Cash and Dylan were friends and respected each other, and no doubt Dylan was flattered that Cash "borrowed" from him here.
@skyjukeboxhero Dylan's song cam first, by just a little bit. Cash and Dylan were friends and respected each other, and no doubt Dylan was flattered that Cash "borrowed" from him here.
IS he just leaving for some important matters like job or anything, or it could be that he actually breaking-up with his woman?
He is telling her to "understand" at two-levels. Whatever argument/"bad mouthing" that caused him to want to leave is the first thing she needs to understand. The second thing she needs to understand is that he's never coming back. After saying about 12 ways, it couldn't be any clearer.
Cash wrote this after his affair had begun with June Carter, while still married to his childhood sweetheart, Vivian Liberto, with whom he had several daughters. He was addicted to drugs and away from his wife and children for long stretches, on tour with "the other woman". Understandably, Vivian wasn't happy and would let him know when he was at home, which was becoming less often. Eventually, Cash "was just as gone as the wild goose in winter", and she was left to meditate on what an amazing artist, yet horrible person he was.