Hymns by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash · 1959
28 min · 13 tracks · blues
A poignant collection of heartfelt gospel tunes delivered with Johnny Cash's deep, resonant voice and a simple, unadorned arrangement.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
It Was Jesus Start here — This track opens the album with an earnest declaration of faith, setting the tone for the spiritual journey that follows throughout the record.
-
→
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot — Cash's rendition breathes new life into this traditional hymn, illustrating his unique ability to convey deep emotion through simplicity.
-
→
The Old Account — This song addresses themes of redemption and accountability, encapsulating the overall message of hope found within the album's tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Cash's strong vocal presence and simple arrangements, effectively conveying its gospel themes.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of simple chord progressions, primarily in a major key, which supports the gospel themes.
- Cash's vocal delivery is characterized by a deep, resonant tone that remains steady throughout, with minimal instrumental accompaniment.
- Each track maintains a similar tempo and mood, creating a uniformity that emphasizes the spiritual messages of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- short tracks for focused listening
- heartfelt devotion in every song
- consistent lyrical journey throughout
- soothing background for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy or upbeat
- prefer long, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First full-length gospel album, solidifying Cash's versatility and expanding his audience.
- Themes
- spiritual redemption· traditional hymns· faithful devotion
- Moods
- Melancholy· Chill
- Career context
- Released in 1959, Hymns by Johnny Cash marked Cash's first foray into gospel music, following the success of his early country hits. At this point, he was solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in country music while exploring themes of faith that would become central to his identity as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
Tracklist
- 1 It Was Jesus Start here 2:08
- 2 I Saw a Man 2:36
- 3 Are All the Children In 1:58
- 4 The Old Account 2:29
- 5 Lead Me Gently Home 2:04
- 6 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 1:56
- 7 Snow in His Hair 2:24
- 8 Lead Me Father 2:31
- 9 I Call Him 1:50
- 10 These Things Shall Pass 2:20
- 11 He’ll Be a Friend 2:00
- 12 God Will 2:24
- 13 It Was Jesus (mono EP version) 2:03
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.