The Ring of Fire is a well-loved classic. My final line from Thursday’s Jealous Desire short story made me think of the song. I’ve included a video of Johnny Cash’s original rendition as well as one done by an acapella group, Home Free. My husband is one of their biggest fans so I couldn’t miss giving them a shout out. They performed their arrangement on The Sing Off in 2013. Winning the show served as their breakout moment. During the competition, their version was called “acapella country reggae” by renowned artist, Jewel. Home Free mostly does cover songs. In that way, I think they remind me of a JAFF writer.
It’s easy to see that the song is about love. Allegedly, Cash’s second wife, June Carter Cash, wrote the song after they had first met but while she was still married to another. Knowing that, consider the lyrics in a different light. Being engulfed in this uncontrollable love is not pleasant. It is not exhilarating. It is dangerous–it is deadly–it should be feared–but it can’t be helped. Now, how do you think I will connect that to Jane Austen?
And it makes a fiery ring.
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire.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.
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.
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet.
I fell for you like a child,
Oh, but the fire went wild.
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.
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.
Rose Fairbanks 