The musical portion then begins with Cash reciting that "the man" (Jesus Christ) will one day come to pass judgment.

The phrase, "It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks" cites Acts 26:14, where Paul the Apostle describes meeting Jesus while traveling to Damascus.

Elsewhere, the song mentions the wise men who bow before the Lord's throne, and cast their "golden crowns" at the feet of God.

The arrangement of the song is sparse (although not so much as in some of Cash's later compositions, such as "God's Gonna Cut You Down"); two guitars, piano (played in the bass register), and an electric organ.

[8] An alternative "early take" of the song appears on the Unearthed box set (2003) and The Legend of Johnny Cash (2005).