"Papa Was a Good Man" is a song written by songwriter Hal Bynum.
[2] Released in September 1971[3][4] as a single (Columbia 4-45460, with "I Promise You" on the opposite side) by Johnny Cash,[2][5] the song reached #16 on U.S.
"Papa" is told from the perspective of a son whose father is struggling with alcoholism.
It was the lowest charting of the three releases from the album, peaking at #16 Country and #104 Pop.
It featured additional vocals from the choir of the Evangel Temple, the Nashville church Cash was now attending, pushing the song close to the point of overproduction.