Hear Brad Paisley’s Moving Adaptation of Johnny Cash Poem
In the lead-up to the release of his new album, Brad Paisley revealed that one of the new tracks on Love and War, “Gold All Over the Ground” came from an old Johnny Cash poem. Now, just a week out from Love and War‘s April 21st release date, Paisley has shared the heartfelt new song.
The recording marks the first time Cash’s poem has been set to music, and includes audio snippets of Cash’s voice introducing wife June Carter and, at the end of the track, proclaiming that she helped save his life. The poem, anchored by the line, “If you’re ever down, I’d give you rows of roses and gold all over the ground,” was first published in Cash’s posthumous 2016 collection Forever Words.
Paisley has shared a number of Love and War tracks recently, including the Eighties-inspired “Last Time for Everything” and the lighthearted, ridiculously titled “Selfie#theinternetisforever.” Other album highlights include a duet with Mick Jagger (“Drive of Shame”), an appearance by John Fogerty (“Love and War”) and a collaboration with “Whisperin'” Bill Anderson (“Dying to See Her”). Hip-hop producer Timbaland also appears on two tracks.
Paisley is currently touring through the fall.