San Quentin – English Lyrics

• By: Johnny Cash

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Johnny Cash's iconic "San Quentin" and experience a raw, unfiltered expression of human emotion. This song, born from Cash's deep empathy for the incarcerated, offers a unique window into the intense feelings of confinement and the desire for freedom. By exploring its powerful lyrics and the story behind its electrifying live performance, you can not only appreciate Cash's mastery of storytelling but also gain insight into a pivotal moment in social commentary through music. The direct and visceral language makes it a compelling piece for understanding authentic American voice and sentiment.

[English]

San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me

You blistered me since 1963

I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen 'em die

And long ago, I stopped askin' why

San Quentin, I hate every inch of you

You cut me and you scarred me through and through

And I'll walk out a wiser, weaker man

Mister Congressman, you can't understand

San Quentin, what good do you think you do?

Do you think I'll be different when you're through?

You bent my heart and mind and you warp my soul

Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold

San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell

May your walls fall and may I live to tell

May all the world forget you ever stood

And may all the world regret you did no good

San Quentin, I hate every inch of you

Thank you very much.

One more time?

All right.

All right.

Hey, before we do it, though, if any of the guards are still speaking to me, could I have a glass of water?

Here it is again, San Quentin, just for you.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hate /heɪt/ A1	verb - to feel intense dislike
scar /skɑːr/ B1	verb - to leave a mark on the skin or mind noun - a mark left on the skin or mind
warp /wɔːrp/ B2	verb - to twist or distort something
rot /rɒt/ A2	verb - to decay or decompose
burn /bɜːrn/ A1	verb - to be on fire or set something on fire
wiser /ˈwaɪzər/ B1	adjective - having more knowledge or experience
weaker /ˈwiːkər/ A2	adjective - less strong or powerful
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A1	verb - to comprehend or grasp the meaning
bend /bɛnd/ A2	verb - to curve or turn from a straight line
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - low in temperature
fall /fɔːl/ A1	verb - to drop or come down
regret /rɪˈɡrɛt/ B1	verb - to feel sad or sorry about something
inch /ɪntʃ/ A1	noun - a unit of length equal to 1/12 of a foot
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to be alive or have life
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - of a high quality or standard

Key Grammar Structures

• San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ The phrase 'you've been livin' hell to me' uses the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the ongoing action of San Quentin causing suffering since a point in the past (1963).

• I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen 'em die

  ➔ Present Perfect

  ➔ The use of 'I've seen' in both clauses indicates experiences that started in the past and are relevant to the present, typical of the Present Perfect.

• And long ago, I stopped askin' why

  ➔ Simple Past

  ➔ The phrase 'I stopped askin' why' uses the Simple Past to describe a completed action in the past with no connection to the present.

• You cut me and you scarred me through and through

  ➔ Simple Past

  ➔ The verbs 'cut' and 'scarred' are in the Simple Past, indicating completed actions in the past.

• Mister Congressman, you can't understand

  ➔ Modal Verb (can't)

  ➔ The modal verb 'can't' is used to express inability or impossibility in the present.

• May your walls fall and may I live to tell

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood

  ➔ The use of 'may' in both clauses expresses wishes or desires, characteristic of the Subjunctive Mood.

• San Quentin, I hate every inch of you

  ➔ Present Simple

  ➔ The phrase 'I hate' uses the Present Simple to express a current and ongoing emotion.

• Thank you very much. One more time?

  ➔ Polite Request

  ➔ The phrase 'One more time?' is a polite request using a question form to ask for repetition.