Meaning of "Southwind" by Johnny Cash

The lyrics of "Southwind" by Johnny Cash convey a sense of heartbreak and abandonment as the narrator watches his lover leave on a train. The constant repetition of the phrase "She's gone again on the Southwind" emphasizes the cyclical nature of their relationship, where she constantly leaves and he is left behind. The mention of needing a forty-dollar ticket and not having a smile to carry on suggests financial struggles and emotional turmoil. Despite expressing a desire for her return, there is also a sense of acceptance and understanding that she will always choose to leave, as indicated by the lines "Take her fast and take her far, 'cause that's the way she always likes to go." Ultimately, the song captures the bittersweet feeling of longing for someone who continuously chooses to leave, highlighting the complex emotions that come with loving someone who doesn't stay.