Can a name cause trauma?
in Psychology ·
That reminded me...
Johnny Cash
A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue my daddy left home When i was Three and He didn't leave much to Ma and me Just this Old guitar and an empty bottle of Booz
A Boy Named Sue.
I can't say I blame the guy for running and hiding.
But the absolute lowest point, the meanest thing he ever pulled?
Before he walked out on us, he actually had the nerve to name me Sue.
He clearly thought he was being hilarious.
It pulled quite a few laughs from the crowd.
It feels like I’ve spent my entire life just fighting to stay afloat.
A girl would start giggling, and I’d just turn bright red.
And if some guy decided to laugh, I'd just bust his head.
I’m telling you, life really isn't easy for a Boy Named Sue.
I had to grow up fast, and I grew up tough.
My knuckles tightened and my mind went sharp.
I used to wander from one small town to the next, just trying to outrun my own disgrace.
But I swore an oath to the heavens and the earth.
I'd be scouring every dive bar and honky-tonk from Nashville to Austin.
And take down the man who saddled me with such a pathetic name.
It was Gatlinburg in mid-July.
I just rolled into town and my throat was bone dry.
I figured I’d take a second to pull up a chair and grab a beer.
Deep in the heart of some dusty, backwater town, sitting in a weathered saloon on a street made of nothing but thick mud...
They’re sitting around a table, dealing stud.
Sat there, that mangy, lowlife dog that gave me the name Sue.
Well, I already knew that snake was my own sweet dad.
Based on a faded, weathered photograph my mom used to keep,
I recognized him instantly by that scar cutting across his cheek and that wicked look in his eyes.
He was massive, hunched over, and weathered—an old man grayed by time.
I caught his eye, and honestly? My blood ran cold.
I just looked him right in the eye and said, "My name is Sue! How do you do!"
You’re dead meat!!
I landed a heavy blow right between his eyes.
He went down, but honestly, it caught me completely off guard.
He pulled a knife and sliced a piece right off my ear.
I ended up smashing a chair straight across his teeth.
Then we smashed right through the wall and out onto the street.
Just kicking and gouging in the mud, the blood, and the beer.
I’ll tell you one thing: I've gone toe-to-toe with much tougher men than this.
The truth is, I honestly can't recall exactly when it happened.
The guy fought like a wild animal—kicking like a mule and biting like a crocodile.
I caught the sound of his laughter, followed immediately by a string of curses.
He reached for his weapon, but I was faster. My gun was out before he could even make a move.
He just stood there, staring me down, and then I saw that grin spread across his face.
He looked me right in the eye and said, "Son, this world is a tough place."
If a man wants to actually make it in this life, he’s got to be tough. There's no other way around it.
I already knew I wouldn't be around to lend you a hand.
That’s all there is to it. I handed over the name, said my peace, and walked away.
I knew you’d eventually have to toughen up or just fade away entirely.
It’s the very name itself that built your strength.
"Now you just fought one hell of a fight."
Look, I know you hate me. And honestly? You’ve got every right to.
Go ahead and finish me off. Honestly, I wouldn't even blame you if you did.
You really ought to show some gratitude before I kick the bucket.
For the grit in your soul and the fire in your eyes.
Because I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue."
The emotion just hit me too hard. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I dropped my weapon right then and there.
I called him my dad, and he called me his son.
I walked away from that with a completely different perspective.
I find myself thinking about him every once in a while.
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, i think I'm gonna name Him Bill or George.
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!
Johnny Cash
A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue my daddy left home When i was Three and He didn't leave much to Ma and me Just this Old guitar and an empty bottle of Booz
A Boy Named Sue.
I can't say I blame the guy for running and hiding.
But the absolute lowest point, the meanest thing he ever pulled?
Before he walked out on us, he actually had the nerve to name me Sue.
He clearly thought he was being hilarious.
It pulled quite a few laughs from the crowd.
It feels like I’ve spent my entire life just fighting to stay afloat.
A girl would start giggling, and I’d just turn bright red.
And if some guy decided to laugh, I'd just bust his head.
I’m telling you, life really isn't easy for a Boy Named Sue.
I had to grow up fast, and I grew up tough.
My knuckles tightened and my mind went sharp.
I used to wander from one small town to the next, just trying to outrun my own disgrace.
But I swore an oath to the heavens and the earth.
I'd be scouring every dive bar and honky-tonk from Nashville to Austin.
And take down the man who saddled me with such a pathetic name.
It was Gatlinburg in mid-July.
I just rolled into town and my throat was bone dry.
I figured I’d take a second to pull up a chair and grab a beer.
Deep in the heart of some dusty, backwater town, sitting in a weathered saloon on a street made of nothing but thick mud...
They’re sitting around a table, dealing stud.
Sat there, that mangy, lowlife dog that gave me the name Sue.
Well, I already knew that snake was my own sweet dad.
Based on a faded, weathered photograph my mom used to keep,
I recognized him instantly by that scar cutting across his cheek and that wicked look in his eyes.
He was massive, hunched over, and weathered—an old man grayed by time.
I caught his eye, and honestly? My blood ran cold.
I just looked him right in the eye and said, "My name is Sue! How do you do!"
You’re dead meat!!
I landed a heavy blow right between his eyes.
He went down, but honestly, it caught me completely off guard.
He pulled a knife and sliced a piece right off my ear.
I ended up smashing a chair straight across his teeth.
Then we smashed right through the wall and out onto the street.
Just kicking and gouging in the mud, the blood, and the beer.
I’ll tell you one thing: I've gone toe-to-toe with much tougher men than this.
The truth is, I honestly can't recall exactly when it happened.
The guy fought like a wild animal—kicking like a mule and biting like a crocodile.
I caught the sound of his laughter, followed immediately by a string of curses.
He reached for his weapon, but I was faster. My gun was out before he could even make a move.
He just stood there, staring me down, and then I saw that grin spread across his face.
He looked me right in the eye and said, "Son, this world is a tough place."
If a man wants to actually make it in this life, he’s got to be tough. There's no other way around it.
I already knew I wouldn't be around to lend you a hand.
That’s all there is to it. I handed over the name, said my peace, and walked away.
I knew you’d eventually have to toughen up or just fade away entirely.
It’s the very name itself that built your strength.
"Now you just fought one hell of a fight."
Look, I know you hate me. And honestly? You’ve got every right to.
Go ahead and finish me off. Honestly, I wouldn't even blame you if you did.
You really ought to show some gratitude before I kick the bucket.
For the grit in your soul and the fire in your eyes.
Because I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue."
The emotion just hit me too hard. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I dropped my weapon right then and there.
I called him my dad, and he called me his son.
I walked away from that with a completely different perspective.
I find myself thinking about him every once in a while.
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, i think I'm gonna name Him Bill or George.
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!