The song “On the Banks of the Ohio” is a famous ballad telling the tale of a gruesome murder/suicide by a couple gone out of control. Despite its intense subject matter, the various artists who have covered the piece have added their own stylistic and dramatic changes to the song to the point where each can be interpreted as something completely new. Johnny Cash’s rendition marks a stark contrast to the version recorded just 10 years before by Bill Monroe and the Monroe Brothers in terms of storytelling and presentation. As such, it can be hard to see which version would be morea faithful to the original but it can be said that both convey a similar overall message.

While there are many differences in the songs, it is important to first note some similarities that both share. Both do not add any extra lyrics or personal notes between lines, and keep to the lyrics. Because of this, they both follow the same pattern for the verses, staying with the A and A’ forms. It is interesting to note that there seems to be no B form employed here, and it is up to the artists themselves to build up to the climax of the song where the man murders his wife, rather than relying on a shift in form at the chorus. Both also keep the instruments in the back at a relative minimum with Cash only relying on his guitar and Monroe with his banjo. 

Monroe does create some key differences in his rendition though. The song he creates has a very folksy atmosphere, with the quick and lively sound of the banjo to get a listener’s foot tapping along. He does an excellent judge of building up to the tension of the climatic killing through his progressively quicker singing. The banjo’s frantic pace conveys the insanity of this couple that has lost their senses causing a murder to occur. So despite the lively and seemingly friendly atmosphere, the song’s subject matter still ends in a tragedy and stays faithful to the original rendition.

In Johnny Cash’s version, the song takes on a different kind of feel. Cash plays the song much more mournfully, with his own deep voice detailing the sadness of the situation. The guitar is distinct in the background, but takes on a slow and even rhythm compared to the banjo’s quicker playing. It is interesting to hear that while Monroe relies on playing and singing quicker to build up to the climax of the killing, Cash seems to almost descend into the climax, making it that much more tragic when the murder occurs. His voice stands out here very clearly and frankly, which gave me the feeling that he was telling the story straightforwardly with a sense of coming to a realization of what he’s done. He also seemed to draw out certain syllables longer to add weight to his words and actions.

Despite their commercial nature, both songs rung out as authentic. “Whether or not it sounds foolish to you, he sings with absolute sincerity. I’ve heard his songs a hundred times, but I always get a thrill. To me his music is real music” (19 Barker and Taylor). Both artists, through their own unique ways, stick to the song’s lyrics and overall message.

It is amazing that just from listening on the surface, Johnny Cash and Bill Monroe and the Monroe Brothers are singing two very different versions of the same song. Looking at it a little close though, it turns out this is not the case. Both artists have managed to stay “authentic” by really approaching the song with their own styles while staying true to the lyrics and message of the original. Monroe utilized his banjo in such a way that built up tension at the climatic moment of the murder and lets it die down in the sorrow of the aftermath. Cash’s mournful and straight tone conveys the tragedy of the incident, with his even guitar gently ending the song in silence.