When_I've_Learned_Enough_to_Die

When I've Learned

When I've Learned

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"When I've Learned" (also known as "When I've Learned (Enough to Die)") is a song written by Buddy Killen, Ray Baker and Delbert Wilson.[2][5] and released in 1958 as a single (Columbia 4-41288) by Bobby Lord.[1][4][6][7]

Quick Facts Single by Bobby Lord, A-side ...
Quick Facts Single by Johnny Cash, from the album Hymns from the Heart ...
More information Review scores, Source ...

Later, the song was notably recorded by Johnny Cash.[8][5]

Cash's version was released as a single by Columbia Records (Columbia 4-42301, with "The Big Battle" on the opposite side)[9][10] in January,[11] February,[12] or March 1962.[13]

Composition

John M. Alexander in his book The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash calls the songs "one of Johnny's best performances on the album ["Hymns from the Heart"], and one of his finest gospel recordings."[8]

It's the testament of a good man who has seen heaven on earth by being a hard worker and living a good life. But the singer knows the fruits of this world are temporal, reasoning, “When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die.” If ever the adage “youth is wasted on the young” holds true, it's here. The singer has grown “to kind of like this life,” knowing the real payoff for his good works will be in the afterlife. This profound revelation coming from the young Johnny Cash attests to the fact that he always displayed wisdom far beyond his years.[8]

References

  1. [1]
    "Bobby Lord - When I've Learned / Walking Alone". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  2. [2]
    "Johnny Cash - The Big Battle (Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single)". Discogs. 2 February 1962. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  3. [3]
    "Johnny Cash - The Big Battle". Discogs. 1962. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  4. [4]
    Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (1958-11-10). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 37–. ISSN 0006-2510. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. [5]
    John L. Smith (1 January 1999). Another Song to Sing: The Recorded Repertoire of Johnny Cash. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-3629-7.
  6. [6]
    Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (1958-11-17). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 24–. ISSN 0006-2510. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. [7]
    L. R. Docks (January 2001). American Premium Record Guide, 1900-1965. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87349-282-9.
  8. [8]
    John M. Alexander (16 April 2018). The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 41–. ISBN 978-1-61075-628-0.
  9. [9]
    Joel Whitburn (2002). Top Country Singles, 1944 to 2001: Chart Data Compiled from Billboard's Country Singles Charts, 1944-2001. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-151-2.
    Joel Whitburn (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944-2005, Billboard. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-165-9.
  10. [10]
    Tim Neely (2004-05-01). Goldmine Records & Prices. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87349-781-7. The Big Battle What I've Learned 42301.
  11. [11]
    Steve Turner (2005-10-30). The Man Called CASH: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend. Thomas Nelson. pp. 246–. ISBN 978-1-4185-7809-1.
  12. [12]
    The Johnny Cash Record Catalog. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1994. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-0-313-29506-5.
  13. [13]
    Peter Lewry (2001). I've Been Everywhere: A Johnny Cash Chronicle. Helter Skelter. ISBN 978-1-900924-22-1.
    March
    "The Big Battle"/"When I've Learned" (Columbia 4-42301) is released and enters the chart at the end of the month.
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