The Chicken in Black – English Lyrics

• By: Johnny Cash

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a unique linguistic journey with Johnny Cash's "The Chicken in Black," a song that blends country storytelling with absurdist humor. Through its quirky narrative of brain transplants and bank-robbing chickens, you can explore colloquial American English, humorous expressions, and narrative structures often found in country music. The song's clear, if outlandish, storyline and Cash's distinct vocal delivery make it an engaging and memorable piece for language learners to pick up new vocabulary and phrases in a fun, unexpected context.

[English]

For two long years my head hurt bad

So the doctor checked me and he shook his head

He said, "I'm sorry to tell you but your body's outlived your brain"

He said, "I know this doctor in New York son

And he'll fix you up right with a brand new one"

So the head doctor met me when I stepped down off the train

He said, "We had this bank robber killed last night

His body's shot but his brain's alright

I'll give you a transplant boy, and it'll be okay"

I got the new brain in and I was feeling great

I went right back to Nashville with no headache

But something strange happened when I walked in the bank one day

I said "Stick 'em up everybody, I'm robbing this place

Drop all of your money in my guitar case

Don't nobody move and don't nobody reach for that door

A lady said, "Why, you're Johnny Cash!"

I said, "No ma'am, I'm the Manhattan Flash

And I am the best bank robber in New York"

Now the other night, Roy Acuff called me

He said, "John, I'd like for you to do the Opry"

So I went out on the stage, but I couldn't sing

I got into half a verse of 'bout Walk The Line

And something snapped in that head of mine

I yelled, "Stick 'em up! Gimme your money, watches and rings"

...

Well I called New York and talked to that brain quack

I said, "Doc, I've got to have my old brain back"

He said, "I'm sorry there Mr. Cash, but I can't do that"

He said, "I put your brain in a chicken last Monday

He singing your songs and making lots of money

And I got him signed to a ten year recording contract"

Now friends, if you see me walking down the street

Remember what your see ain't necessarily me

And if I try to hold you up, don't blame it on mine

But when you got ten bucks that you can blow

You ought to catch that Johnny Chicken Show

He's done fairs and concerts dates all across the line.

I said "Stick 'em up everybody, I'm robbing this place

Drop all of your money in my guitar case

Don't nobody move and don't nobody reach for that door

A lady said, "Why, you're Johnny Cash!"

I said, "No ma'am, I'm the Manhattan Flash

And I am the best bank robber in New York"

...

Well, I don't pay any income tax

You don't pay tax on money you steal

But you ought to catch that Johnny Chicken Show.

Chicken in black

Mhhhhmmm

...