Behind Johnny Cash’s 1972 Album That Included a Recitation of The Gettysburg Address

In 1972, Johnny Cash released his 40th album, America: A 200-Year Salute to Story and Song. Stylistically, it was a departure from his usual fare, as it included spoken word segments and historical recitations. However, the content still made sense for Johnny Cash. As a highly-regarded figure in American music, making an album celebrating American music and history seems right on target.

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The album featured 21 tracks, many of which were written by Cash. He also included covers of traditional American narrative songs like “The Battle of New Orleans,” “Mister Garfield,” and “Remember the Alamo.” Many of these traditional songs were re-recordings, as Cash had previously released them as singles as far back as 1956. Additionally, the album featured Cash reciting Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.

Alongside music, there were also spoken word segments by Johnny Cash, such as “Begin West Movement,” “To The Shining Mountains,” and “Southwestward,” among others. These were segments of dialogue spoken by Cash, lasting anywhere between 25 and 56 seconds. There, he told stories of Westward expansion, wagon trains, battles between Western settlers and Native Americans, and the hopes and dreams for the American West.

In 1972, Johnny Cash Released a Unique Album in Celebration of American History

The album opens with Johnny Cash reciting names of historical and allegorical American figures, such as Lewis and Clark, Daniel Boone, Thomas Edison, and his own grandfather. This opening dialogue leads directly into the song “Paul Revere,” a rollicking folk tune about the independence of the American colonies in 1776, of which Paul Revere was a notable figure.

“The Battle of New Orleans” is one of the more well-known traditional songs in American history, painting the picture of victory against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812. In the same vein, “Remember the Alamo” depicts the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

The dialogue tracks were an interesting inclusion on this album, but ultimately it would be hard to imagine it without them. Johnny Cash’s distinctly deep voice telling stories of Westward expansion and American victories washes over listeners like a soothing balm. He describes the United States in the mid-1800s, the mountains, streams, and natural beauty, as well as the sadness and heartbreak during the dark days of the Civil War.

Overall, America: A 200-Year Salute to Story and Song is an important, if relatively forgotten, moment in Johnny Cash’s career. His recitation of the Gettysburg Address is evocative and expressive in the straightforward way that Cash’s vocals had. He would put so much effortless emotion into his voice, and reciting this historical speech put that skill on full display.

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