Greatest love songs ever: #42 “Ring of Fire”
By Tom Quiner
“Love is a burning thing!” This line propels “Ring of Fire” out of the starting measure at breakneck speed. This is a love song about passion. Passion can be good, and passion can be misdirected. “Ring of Fire” talks about both.
This is our first country song in our countdown of the “52 Greatest Love Songs Ever.” Writing credits are attributed to June Carter (Johnny Cash’s eventual 2nd wife) and Merle Kilgore. (Cash’s first wife, Vivian, insists that Johnny told her that he actually wrote the song, but gave it to June, because she needed the money. We’ll leave that debate to the music historians).
Carter’s sister, Anita Carter, recorded the song in 1962 to little fanfare. But it was Johnny Cash’s recording (above) the next year that attained legendary status, rising to the number one position on the country charts for seven weeks. This in spite (or because?) of the unusual addition of a mariachi brass section.
The lyrics are legendary. They say so much in such few words, thus the power of metaphor:
“I fell into a burning ring of fire,
I went down, down, down,
And the flames went higher.
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire,
The ring of fire.”
Biblical references to fire
Biblical allusions to fire can be good, such as the “tongues of fire” that came upon the faithful on Pentecost, filling them with the Holy Spirit while allowing them to speak in tongues and be understood by all (Acts 2:4).
And of course God revealed Himself to Moses in the guise of a burning bush in Exodus 3:1 and 4:17.
On the other hand, the Old Testament revealed the wrath of the Lord as fire from heaven in a number of places. Even James and John asked Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (Luke 9:54).
Fire is power. The ‘ring of fire’ is a beautiful metaphor for the romantic passions ignited by love that honors chastity, leads to marriage and all the fruit that can grow from such a blessed union. That is power directed to a Godly end.
But uncontrolled fire, like uncontrolled lust, is dangerous. It distracts and misdirects men and women down destructive paths. June Carter wrote this song as she grappled with the ramifications of her love affair with Cash while both were married to other people. Yes, the two eventually married, but left disrupted lives in their wake. The Johnny Cash, biopic “I Walk The Line” does a great job showcasing his life and career. Here’s a clip (below) of Joaquin Phoenix, who portrays Cash, singing “Ring of Fire”:
A New Wave cover song
New Wave singer, Blondie, covered “Ring of Fire” in the 1980 movie “Roadie.”
Artists, like all of us, are flawed people. Artistic passions are often accompanied by dark demons. It is one of God’s many mysteries that flawed artists can create such beautiful art.
The symbolism of a ring
When a man and woman marry, they exchange rings. Rings symbolize eternity, the perfect symbol for God’s love for us, and a fitting symbol for a timeless song.
“The Ring of Fire” is a brilliant love song. It is a song that at once reveals the beauty, as well as the dark side, of love. As the song says,
“I fell for you like a child,
Oh, but the fire went wild.”
It’s hard to control the wild passion of young love, but it can be done. And that wild passion, when directed by the beautiful sacrament of marriage, over time blossoms into an even more powerful form of love. I think of so many couples I know, or have known, where one spouse cares for the other in their dying days. Agapé, or sacrificial love, is what Jesus modeled for us, and that’s what we’re called to offer to our family and the world. Yes, it can truly burn, burn, burn. And it’s beautiful to behold.
Next week, I’m going to treat you to a classic ‘torch’ song (speaking of burning!) written by one of the greatest American composers. Ever.
In the meantime, be sure to encourage your friends to subscribe to our blog. We’re counting down the ’52 Greatest Love Songs Ever’ a week at a time. Why? Because love is the greatest antidote to abortion. Thanks for checking in. See you next week! And be sure to get your tickets to our upcoming May 2nd event, An Evening of Glory!
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