Johnny Cash’s beautiful love letter to June

johnny-june1Here is the letter that’s been getting a lot of attention in recent days.  An online poll named this letter from Johnny Cash the most romantic love letter of all time.  It was written to his wife June Carter Cash on her 65th birthday, on June 23, 1994.  It’s a wake-up call for those of us who rush to the store at the last minute on our spouse’s birthday, or on Valentine’s Day to grab a card that someone else wrote! (Who, me?)  This is how it is supposed to be done:

johnny-june-letterIn case you have trouble reading the photo image of Johnny’s letter to his “Princess,” here’s the text:

June 23 1994
Odense, Denmark.

Happy Birthday Princess,

We get old and get use to each other. We think alike. We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted.

But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much.

Happy Birthday Princess.

John

How about that last paragraph? Johnny wasn’t known for his writing skills, but if you ask me, he knew how to speak from the heart.

I’ve written before about Johnny and June’s final days, back in 2003.  Everybody assumed that Johnny, who had long been ill, would go first.  Instead, June got sick, and after a brief illness, she passed away, leaving a grieving husband behind.

johnnyjuneWhen I saw Johnny’s letter the other day, it reminded me of my favorite Johnny-June song, now pretty much forgotten by radio stations (although in Chattanooga, it is played by Classic Country, WUUQ, Q973, 993.)  Back in 1970, “If I Were A Carpenter” got airplay on both top-40 and country stations.  The song had been recorded before, in many different styles by several artists.  But this is the one that has stuck with me over the years.  Real emotion, real musicianship, real talent.  Click, watch and listen to Johnny and June, in their prime: as a couple, and as performers.  They don’t make ’em like this any more:

About David Carroll

David Carroll is a longtime Chattanooga radio and TV broadcaster, and has anchored the evening news on WRCB-TV since 1987. He is the author of "Chattanooga Radio & Television" published by Arcadia.

10 thoughts on “Johnny Cash’s beautiful love letter to June

    1. Scott Miller

      Hey, just to let you know, Johnny and June play everyday on Classic Country, WUUQ, Q973, 993. We will never ignore or forget Country’s greatest singer!!!!

      Scott Miller
      3p-7p

      Reply
      1. David Carroll

        Scott, that is great. Do you play “If I Were A Carpenter?” I think it charted #2 country, but I didn’t know if y’all go back as far as 1969-70. DC

        Reply
        1. Scott Miller

          Absolutely! We play Jackson, Carpenter and a ton of others. Johnny’s most popular request? It’s a toss up between Chattanooga City Limits (from The Baron LP) and Monteagle Mountain!

          Reply
  1. Keith Woods

    Thanks for that, David. I was around Cash every now and then, through my friendship with then bandmate Norman Blake and always knew he was very different, in a good way. He just had a presence about him that made folks turn around and notice when he came in a room, certainly without trying, and you just knew he was going to be special if he didn’t die first from too many amphedemins, and was in large part because of June tat he survived. Also Dr. Nat Winston helped a lot.

    Reply
  2. David Howell

    David I have known you and your family for as long as I can remember, your family has always been very special to mine. Mom loved you all so much. We all grew together. I remember stopping by the store on my way to school and requesting songs for you to play on the radio. KZ106.5. I thought you were the best and still do. You keep the memories alive. love you man.

    Reply
  3. Brenda Latham

    As usual, David, great job about bringing us the love story of John & June!
    Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Thank you, too, for all you do for our community!! You’re the BESTEST!

    Reply
  4. Patty Adams Thompson

    Enjoyed the story and a look into their private life. Also, I loved hearing them sing again. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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