Johnny Cash - It Was Jesus Lyrics
Lyrics
Well a man walked down by Galilee so the Holy Book does say
And a great multitude was gathered there without a thing to eat for days
Up stepped a little boy with the basket please take it Lord he said
And with just a five loaves and two little fishes five thousand had fish and bread
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) who was it everybody (it was Jesus)
Who was it everybody (it was Jesus) it was Jesus Christ our Lord
Now pay close attention little children it's somebody you ought to know
It's all about a man that walked on earth nearly two thousand years ago
Well he healed the sick and afflicted it and he raised 'em from the dead
Then they nailed him on an old rugged cross and put thorns on his head
Who was it everybody...
Well they took him down and they buried him and after the third day
When they came to his tomb where they knew he was gone
Cause the stone was rolled away
He's not here for he is risen the angel of the Lord then said
And when they saw him walking with these nail-scared hands
They knew he came back from the dead
Who was it everybody...
Video
It Was Jesus
Meaning & Inspiration
Johnny Cash’s "It Was Jesus," a cornerstone track from his album *Hymns By Johnny Cash*, stands as a powerful, unambiguous declaration of Christian faith, a testament to the Man in Black's deep spiritual convictions that would define much of his legendary career. This song, appearing early in his discography, firmly established Cash not just as a country music icon but also as a profound voice for gospel truth, delivering an essential narrative with a simplicity and gravitas that resonates deeply. It is a musical catechism, designed to instruct and affirm the core tenets of belief in Jesus Christ.
The song’s message unfolds as a chronological recounting of key events in the life of Jesus, presented with the directness of a Bible story told to eager children. The first verse plunges into the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, an event vividly captured across all four Gospels—Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6. Cash narrates how Jesus, faced with a vast, hungry crowd and meager provisions of five loaves and two fishes offered by a small boy, performed an act of divine multiplication, feeding thousands and demonstrating His boundless compassion and power to provide. The recurring refrain, "Who was it everybody (it was Jesus)," is more than a catchy chorus; it's a deliberate, call-and-response affirmation, driving home the central identity of the miracle worker and embedding this truth into the heart of the listener.
The narrative then progresses to encapsulate the broader scope of Jesus’s earthly ministry, highlighting His divine authority and boundless compassion. Cash reminds us of His power to heal the sick and afflicted, an attribute widely attested in Scripture, as seen in countless accounts throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and even alluded to in Acts 10:38 which states Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." The song also references Jesus raising individuals from the dead, a profound testament to His dominion over life and death, exemplified by stories like the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5), the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7), and Lazarus (John 11). The stark contrast then arrives with the ultimate sacrifice: His crucifixion, nailed to a cross with thorns on His head, a brutal reality described in detail across the passion narratives in all four Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19), with the crown of thorns specifically mentioned in Matthew 27:29. This segment underscores the immense love and suffering endured for humanity's salvation.
The final verse culminates in the triumphant narrative of the resurrection, the cornerstone of Christian faith and the very hope offered through the gospel. Cash recounts Jesus's burial, followed by the seismic shift on the third day when the tomb was found empty, the stone rolled away. This pivotal moment, described in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20, is reinforced by the angel's proclamation, "He’s not here for he is risen" (Matthew 28:6). The ultimate proof of His victory over death is then revealed as "they saw him walking with these nail-scarred hands," a detail powerfully echoed in John 20:24-29, where Thomas's doubt is dispelled by the visible marks of the crucifixion. The song doesn’t merely state these facts; it celebrates them, leaving no room for ambiguity about the central figure of these momentous events.
Cash's vocal delivery on "It Was Jesus" is devoid of pretense, delivering these profound truths with the unvarnished authenticity that characterized his artistic persona. There is a palpable sincerity in his voice, not just singing words but testifying to deeply held convictions. The song, while musically simple, gains immense power through its focused message and Cash's earnest presentation. It serves as an excellent tool for evangelism and discipleship, distilling the essence of Christ's identity, miracles, sacrifice, and resurrection into an accessible, memorable format. For anyone seeking to understand the foundational elements of Christian faith, or for believers needing a solid affirmation of central truths, "It Was Jesus" remains a timeless and inspiring declaration, reminding all who listen of the central role of Jesus Christ in both sacred history and personal redemption. Its enduring relevance on a faith-based music platform lies in its ability to clearly articulate the gospel, encouraging believers and sparking curiosity in those exploring spiritual paths.