Forty Shades of Green

Johnny Cash

About Forty Shades of Green

"Forty Shades of Green" is a song about Ireland, written and first performed by American country singer Johnny Cash. Cash wrote the song in 1959 while on a trip to Ireland; it was first released as a B-side of the song "The Rebel–Johnny Yuma" in 1961. It is also included in two of Cash's albums: Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1963, and Johnny Cash: The Great Lost Performance – Live at the Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, New Jersey, recorded live in 1990 and released in 2007. Cash once recalled performing the song in Ireland and being told by an old man afterwards that it must have been an old Irish folk tune."Forty Shades of Green" has also been recorded by Daniel O'Donnell, Foster and Allen, and Ruby Murray, among others. Irish guitarist Gary Moore quotes the song in the title track of his 1987 album Wild Frontier as a reference to a once innocent Ireland "before the wars began": "The victims you have seen. You'll never hear them sing again The Forty Shades Of Green". 


Year:
2012
2:56
528 
#1

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I close my eyes and picture the emerald of the sea 
From the fishing boats at Dingle to the shores of Dunardee 
I miss the river Shannon and the folks at Skibbereen 
The moorlands and the midlands with their forty shades of green 

But most of all I miss a girl in Tipperary town 
And most of all I miss her lips as soft as eiderdown 
Again I want to see and do the things we've done and seen 
Where the breeze is sweet as Shalimar and there's forty shades of green 

(Green green green forty shades of green) 
I wish that I could spend an hour at Dublin's churching surf 
I'd love to watch the farmers drain the bogs and spade the turf 
To see again the thatching of the straw the women glean 

I'd walk from Cork to Larne to see the forty shades of green 
But most of all I miss a girl...

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Johnny Cash

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal led to Cash being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. more »

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Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Writing
"Forty Shades of Green" was written by the legendary American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, showcasing his talent as both a songwriter and performer.
Inspiration
Johnny Cash was inspired to write the song "Forty Shades of Green" after his trip to Ireland in 1959. He was deeply struck by the diverse shades of green in its landscape.
First Release
"Forty Shades of Green" was first released in 1961 as a part of the album titled "Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash."
Daniel O'Donnell's Cover
Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell also recorded a cover of this song, which became very popular in his native country and among his many international fans.
Music Genre
"Forty Shades of Green" is a country song, echoing Johnny Cash’s deep association with this genre.
Song Popularity
Despite its popularity, "Forty Shades of Green" did not chart in its initial release. However, it holds a nostalgic and sentimental value among audiences, especially the Irish, and remains one of Johnny Cash's beloved songs.
Tribute to Ireland
The song pays tribute to the beauty of Ireland. The lyrics describe various Irish landscapes and the longing for home.
Included in Various Albums
Since its release, "Forty Shades of Green" has been included in various other albums, both by Johnny Cash and other artists, owing to its immense popularity.
Significant Live Performance
During a performance for the RTÉ television series "The Late Late Show" in 1963, Johnny Cash performed "Forty Shades of Green," which significantly increased the song's popularity in Ireland.
Daniel O'Donnell's Performance
Daniel O'Donnell’s rendition of the song gave it a new life and connected with a broader and younger audience base. It is one of his most celebrated songs.
Frequent Cover Song
Apart from Daniel O'Donnell, the song has been covered by numerous artists including Ruby Murray, Daniel O'Donovan, John McNicholl, and Mary Duff among others, showcasing its timeless popularity.
Connection with Irish Identity
For many, the song "Forty Shades of Green" embodies the Irish identity. The term 'forty shades of green' has since become a popular phrase often used to describe Ireland's verdant landscape.

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