TAXI.com

Dad Loved Mom and Johnny CashMama never made excuses, for why Dad was gonethe last time he missed Christmas, she said, "thank the Lord"cos Dad was a born thief, always out casing jointsbut though he was a burglar, he had a few good pointscos when he was gone, he'd stay true to Momthat's why she always took him backhe'd sit with her for hours, sipping whiskey soursand listen to the Man in Blackyeah, Dad loved Mom and Johnny Cashthey were all that seemed realDad's heart was jagged and rough,Johnny's hard songs and Mom's soft lovewere something he could feelthough he liked stealing and sour mashDad loved Mom and Johnny Cashthis guy approached my father, with plans for a scorehe used to be a day clerk, at some jewelry storethough my dad was doubtful, he knew a juicy haulmight free him from the business, once and for allDad never hurt no one, but his partner pulled a gunand shot a guard in the backDad got life in prison, where he'd miss Mom and listenin his mind to the Man in Blackyeah, Dad loved Mom and Johnny Cashthey were all that seemed realDad's heart was jagged and rough,Johnny's hard songs and Mom's soft lovewere something he could feelthough he liked stealing and sour mashDad loved Mom and Johnny Cashtheir marriage had been rocky, since that night in Milwaukeewhen she hocked her ring for bailso when she missed visiting day, all that old con could saywas she got sick of him in jailwell, I wrote some letters, and signed them as my momdidn't have the heart to tell him, that she'd passed onbut it grew on the grapevine, and Dad just couldn't copethe best way to steal his freedom, was with a bedsheet ropecops would shake him down, but they never foundwhere Dad kept his secret stashbut he ran quite a racket, cos in some old record jacketsI found Johnny and tons of cashyeah, Dad loved Mom and Johnny Cashthey were all that seemed realDad's heart was jagged and rough,Johnny's hard songs and Mom's soft lovewere something he could feelthough he liked stealing and sour mashDad loved Mom and Johnny Cash(c)2005 Robert George