Marty Robbins’ version: The dreamy recollection of the Duel at Agua Fria , relayed by the Ranger as a young and slightly braggadocios man seeking fame and fortune in the world birthed by the American Civil War. Johnny Cash’s version: The grim reality of the duel, relayed by the Ranger decades later, as the innocence and adventurous spirit of the Wild West gives way to the nihilism and bleakness of the early 20th century, the Great War looming like a terrible spectre on the horizon, the Ranger perhaps passing the story of his deeds onto his son with a tearful plea that he not follow in the footsteps of his father.
I know of the song, my dad was a huge Johnny Cash fan and had everything he ever sang however I just saw an episode of CSI Miami I've never seen and was stunned when I heard the song. I'm not a big CSI Miami fan so I haven't seen them all like Vegas and NY but I was reading and it was background noise. My brother and I survived 9/11 and the War in Iraq, we knew people that lost their lives there. My brother had severe survivor's guilt and committed suicide shortly after my dad died a few years ago. I had surgery 3 months ago and coded on the table and in recovery...it's gonna be Thanksgiving in a few days and I hear Johnny singing about being thankful for the journey..Christ it's like my dad and brother speaking from heaven. My brother and I both were drinkers and addicts. I've been clean and sober almost 3 years. I've been really questioning things lately but I feel so much better. Some will say that's stupid but there's those out there that will understand.
As the 13th Legion, a mere shadow of what Caesar once built, made their final push all those decades later, the courier suited up and strapped the Big Iron on his hip one last time.
If I had a nickel for every time I have listened to Anita sing this song in the past three years, I could afford to buy her collected works (if it was ever in stock).
I just hate the fact that he changed "It don't hurt anymore" to "I don't hurt anymore", but I love this version anyways. Cash's voice even when old is pure gold. Rest in piece legend
