Dark as a Dungeon
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| "Dark as a Dungeon" | |
| Written by | Merle Travis |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Original artist | Merle Travis |
| Recorded by | Johnny Cash |
"Dark as a Dungeon" is a song written by singer-songwriter Merle Travis. It is a lament about the danger and drudgery of being a coal miner in an Appalachian shaft mine. It has become a rallying song among miners seeking improved working conditions.
The song achieved much of its fame when it was performed by Johnny Cash in his Folsom Prison concert (At Folsom Prison). During this live performance, one of the prisoners in the background was cutting up, and Cash started to chuckle. He gently admonished the man, "No laughing during the song, please!" The man yelled something about "Hell!" and Cash answered, "I know, 'hell'!" When he finished the song, Cash made a comment that was largely repeated, somewhat out of context, by Joaquin Phoenix in the 2005 film Walk the Line: "I just wanted to tell you that this show is being recorded for an album released on Columbia Records, and you can't say "hell" or "shit" or anything like that."
[edit] Recorded Versions
- Dolly Parton,1981
- A strong punk version by the band Wall of Voodoo in 1985.
- Souled American on the 1992 album Sonny.
[edit] Published Versions
- Rise Up Singing page 145
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