I Hung My Head

Sting

About I Hung My Head

"I Hung My Head" is a song written by the singer-songwriter Sting and released on the 1996 album Mercury Falling. It reflects Sting's childhood fondness for TV Westerns, as well as his avowed interest in Country music, but also tackles deeper and more philosophical themes of life and death, justice and redemption. Blue Highway released a bluegrass version of the song in 1999 on their self-titled album Blue Highway. In 2002, Johnny Cash covered the song in the album American IV: The Man Comes Around. Sting re-recorded the song in an orchestral version for his 2010 album Symphonicities. It tells the story of a boy who shoots a man, the resulting shame, and the consequences he faces. 


Year:
2004
128 

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Early one morning with time to kill
I borrowed Jeb's rifle and sat on the hill
I saw a lone rider crossing the plain
I drew a bread on him to practice my aim
My brother's rifle went off in my hand
A shot rang out across the land
The horse he kept running the rider was dead
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head

I set off running to wake from the dream
My brother's rifle went into the stream
I kept on running into the salt lands
And that's where they found me, my head in my hands
The sheriff he asked me "Why had I run"
Then it came to me just what I had done
And all for no reason, just one piece of lead
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head

Here in the courthouse, the whole town is there
I see the judge high up in his chair
"Explain to the courtroom what went through your mind
And we'll ask the jury what verdict they find"
I said "I felt the power of death over life
I orphaned his children I widowed his wife
I beg their forgiveness I wish I was dead"
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head

Early one morning with time to kill
I see the gallows up on the hill
And out in the distance a trick of the brain
I see a lone rider crossing the plain
He's come to fetch me to see what they done
We'll ride together 'til Kingdom come
I pray for God's mercy for soon I'll be dead
I hung my head, I hung my head
I hung my head, I hung my head

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Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas SumnerCBE (born 2 October 1951), known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, actor and philanthropist. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist for the rock band The Police. more »

21 fans

Written by: GORDON SUMNER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


5 facts about this song

Song Composition
1. "I Hung My Head" was originally written and performed by Sting for his 1996 album, "Mercury Falling". 2. Sting is known for his fusion of jazz, rock, classical, and worldbeat in his music, which reflects on this song.
Cover Versions
3. Johnny Cash covered "I Hung My Head" in his 2002 album, "American IV: The Man Comes Around", as part of his series of American Recordings. 4. Cash's cover of "I Hung My Head" is widely recognized and praised for adding his distinctive style and deeply resonant voice to the song. 5. The Blue Highway, a popular bluegrass band, also covered "I Hung My Head" in 2014, introducing the song to a new audience of bluegrass fans. 6. The Blue Highway’s version sticks to bluegrass instrumentation, offering a unique take on the song.
Song Theme and Lyrics
7. The song "I Hung My Head" tells a vivid story of regret and redemption, a common theme in country and folk music, but unusual for Sting who was primarily known for pop and rock. 8. The lyrics tell the tale of a young man who accidentally kills another, then has to face the consequences of his actions – a theme that resonated with Johnny Cash's outlaw image.
Song Recognition
9. Johnny Cash's version of "I Hung My Head" was prominently featured in the 2012 movie, "Flight", starring Denzel Washington. 10. Sting performed "I Hung My Head" at the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors, as part of a tribute to honoree Bruce Springsteen. 11. In a critical review of the album, music critic Robert Christgau praised Johnny Cash's cover and called it a "a virtuoso narrative."
Song Interpretation
12. Some fans interpret the song as a metaphor for the guilt and self-reckoning one faces after making a huge mistake. 13. Other fans believe the song is a commentary on the serious consequences of thoughtless actions.

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