Since I quoted from his autobiography, I thought I'd reproduce a few of JR's better lyrics.
From one of my favorite late (1978) Cash songs, "Without Love":
Without love I am half human without love I'm all machine
Without love there's nothing doin' I will die without love
Without love I am an island all by myself in a heartbreak sea
Without love there's no denyin' I am dyin' without love
For there is nowhere I can run and there is no hiding place
Sticking out like a sore thumb by that gloomy look upon my face
Without love I'm incomplete without love I am not whole
Without love I'm barely on my feet I am dyin' without love.
Another great set of lyrics from his late works (this song was a re-make):
Ghost Riders in the Sky
An old cowboy went ridin' out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
Ploughin' through the ragged skies and up a cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yi pi yi o yi pi yi ay ghost riders in the sky
[ guitar ]
Their faces gaunt their eyes were blurred their shirts all soaked with sweat
He's ridin' hard to catch that herd but he ain't caught 'em yet
Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snortin' fire as they ride on hear their cry
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from hell a ridin' on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Tryin' to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies
Yi pi yi o yi pi yi ay ghost riders in the sky
Ghost riders in the sky ghost riders in the sky
