Little while pills and whiskey, honky tonks and smoke
One night stands with his country band
Had him strung out on the ropes well, he cried out to Jesus
He said, "Jesus, I think I'm too lost to save"
He already had one foot inside he grave
As he stepped into the mouth of Nickajack Cave
Everything was darkness wasn't no light at all
Just the cold dank air and the pitch black dirt
And the spiders on the walls well, he laid down beneath a ledge
And curled up there to meet his judgment day
The shivering came upon him wave by wave
Well, he could feel the breath of death in Nickajack Cave
Then high above him shone a light
He never would forget then he heard a voice say
"Johnny Cash I ain't through with you yet
Get up, I ain't through with you yet
I ain't through with you yet Johnny Cash, get up"
Then he crawled out from beneath that ledge
And felt a gentle breeze tears and dirt smeared on his face
As peaceful as could be well, he knelt down upon the ground
Raised his eyes up to the light and prayed
He said, "Lord, I'll be your servant from this day"
That's how he became 'The Man in Black' in Nickajack cave
That's how he became 'The Man in Black' in Nickajack cave
Get up Johnny Cash, I ain't through with you yet, get up