Chapter 1: āI Am Bound for the Promised LandāThis list isn't a greatest hits compilation, though some of those hits are here: "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues" from early in Cash's career, to "Hurt" and "The Man Comes Around" from the later years. I selected the songs to illustrate or highlight some theological or biographical aspect of Cash's career.
Chapter 2: āI Walk the Lineā
Chapter 3: āThe Man in Blackā
Chapter 4: āFolsom Prison Bluesā
Chapter 5: āGreystone Chapelā
Chapter 6: āSan Quentinā
Chapter 7: āThe Ballad of Ira Hayesā
Chapter 8: āGive My Love to Roseā
Chapter 9: āThe Legend of John Henry's Hammerā
Chapter 10: āSunday Mornin' Coming Downā
Chapter 11: āRagged Old Flagā
Chapter 12: āDrive Onā
Chapter 13: āDeliaās Goneā
Chapter 14: āHurtā
Chapter 15: āThe Man Comes Aroundā
Epilogue: "The Gospel Road"
For example, the very first chapter about Cash's boyhood is built around "I Am Bound for the Promised Land," the very first song Cash remembered hearing as a child. In Chapter 10, I use "Sunday Mornin' Coming Down" to tell the story of Cash's drug addiction. In Chapter 11 I use "Ragged Old Flag" to discuss how the gospel intersects with Cash's patriotism.
If you want to listen to the soundtrack of Trains, Jesus and Murder, Fortress Press has pulled the songs together on a Spotify playlist. It's a great way to listen your way through the book.
If you'd like to help launch the book, give it some social media love leading up to November 5. And if you like the book, consider giving it a review online.
If you're interested me bringing the gospel and Johnny Cash to your church, school or organization, I'd be excited to explore that with you. My speaking schedule and contact info is here.
