Earlier this school year (after Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature), I had my eighth grade honors students debate the question, "Is there a difference between poetry and song lyrics?" Furthermore, I asked them if they could tell the difference if they read them on a page. The consensus was "yes," there is a difference and yes, one can tell the difference is (usually) pretty clear.

I was reminded of that discussion as I read through this collection of Johnny Cash "poems." It is clear that most (if not all) were intended to be put to music. Once they are put to music, they take on a life of their own. Therefore, it is hard to judge these lyrics. Some are quite entertaining (such as the biting "I Wish You a Merry Christmas") but something is missing: that typical boom-chicka-boom-chicka.