This conceptual album by Johnny Cash focuses on rural themes, the land, and the life of the farm worker, reflecting his roots in Arkansas. It was released in September 1959 and is considered one of his early thematic works.
The album includes original songs such as 'Five Feet High and Rising', inspired by the great Mississippi River flood of 1937, and 'The Man on the Hill', which speaks about the dignity of agricultural labor. It also contains versions of folk classics like 'The Great Speckled Bird'.
Although it did not generate major singles, 'Five Feet High and Rising' became one of Cash's most iconic songs. The album showcases his ability to tell stories of rural America with honesty and empathy.