Greystone Chapel, Johnny Cash at Folsom prison.

"Greystone Chapel" is an American country music song written by Glen Sherley in the late 1960s and was included on the 1968 Johnny Cash album At Folsom Prison, released by the Columbia Records label.

Glen Sherley was an inmate at Folsom Prison when he wrote the song, which juxtaposed prison life with spiritual freedom that he found in the Greystone Chapel.

Sherley was a fan of Cash, whose songs often sympathized with the plight of prisoners. Cash's hit song "Folsom Prison Blues", as well as his occasional clashes with the law, were largely responsible for his popularity with prisoners.

Cash heard the song for the first time at the El Rancho Motel in Sacramento on the night before his Folsom Prison performance. Reverend Gresset -- one of Cash's best friends -- asked a favor:

"Johnny, I want you to hear a song written by Glen Sherley, an inmate in Folsom, serving five to life for armed robbery. You've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to tell you about it but I thought if you could mention tomorrow that you've heard the tape, it would please that ol' boy who wrote it."

The group then listened to the song:

"There's a Greystone chapel here at Folsom,
A house of worship in this den of sin.
You wouldn't think God had a place at Folsom,
But he's saved the soul of many lost men."
Cash was enthusiastic. He wrote down the words and by the next day his band was prepared to perform the song at Folsom Prison. Cash ended the concert with the song, which drew huge applause.

The length of the song on the At Folsom Prison album was 6:02, with the actual song only taking up about three and a half minutes. Sherley later released an album with his own version of the song.

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• johnny cash
• greystone chapel
• live
• folsom prison
• tennessee three
• carter familly
• startler brothers
• 1968

[tdixon11240]

why do johnny cash songs just feel like they have more meaning than anyone else that sings? i love this man

[smerlinare]

@tdixon11240 I agree with you, Johnny Cash was a special man. His life story is very fascinating too- which is probably why his songs and lyrics are so good.

Thanks for the comment.

[joshuabrooks21]

One of Johnny's best, lesser known songs.....Thanks for posting this....

[smerlinare]

@joshuabrooks21

I agree with you, glad you like it

[lainio52]

Here in Northern part of Finland,Lapland, Johnny Cash is very well known too.I am 57 now and I have collected Johnny Cash music all my life.

When times are hard I listen Johnny and his songs about us average people.

Hopefully somebody is able to add YouTube Johnny`s song for the memory of Maybelle and Anita Carter "Tears In Holston River".Thank You Johnny Cash.We are missing You here in Arctic Circle.

[smerlinare]

Very moving comment, thanks! I don't have a copy of Tears In Holston River I'm afraid but hopefully someone else may.

[netizenfresh]

Thumbs up if Book of Eli brought you here

[fps0chris]

@fps0chris same with John Denver =]

[fps0chris]

@tdixon11240 I really dislike country but this man truly was one of those people who rose above genres, anyone who appreciates music cannot over emphasize this mans genius

[TomSnark]

simply excellent



[joshuabrooks21]

@ventea I know.

[ventea]

@joshuabrooks21 cept it wasnt Johnny's song :p

[foxnotch]

You left out the best part of this song; his intro: "I hope we do your song justice, Glen". A music icon telling a criminal he hopes to do his song justice. Pure class.

[bowenmcconnie]

Trent Reznor was the one who helped most...when John covered "Hurt" before his death he began to feel all the pain that was locked inside him in that "grey stone chapel," John struggled with many demons in his life, but his religion was by far the worst...still he loved the Jesus that no one knows and though there's no chance for christians in general, John makes me feel like perhaps there's one chapel left for christ to enter...

[stylesweethart]

Happy Thanks Giving Johnny Cash. Love you

[skunkhead2007]

every time i end up in jail i think of johhnys tunes sometimes sit/lay there pondering with my thoughts sometimes smokeing a joint singing these tunes in my head my world not the world of the screws (prison officers)