About the song
“Here Comes That Rainbow Again” is one of Johnny Cash’s most evocative and quietly powerful recordings, a poignant story-song that highlights Cash’s gift for transforming simple human interactions into profound lessons about kindness, compassion, and human dignity. Released in 1981 on his album The Baron, the song stands out as a narrative jewel—gentle, humble, and memorable, yet rich with emotional and moral significance. Unlike Cash’s darker outlaw ballads or his spiritually charged hymns, “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” showcases his softer, philosophical side, reminding listeners that country music can carry great depth even in the plainest of moments.
The song is an adaptation of a scene from John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, specifically the heartwarming moment when two poor children in a roadside diner inspire a small act of generosity from their waitress. Steinbeck’s writing, known for its sensitivity to the struggles of working-class Americans, touched Cash deeply. Cash admired the author’s ability to portray dignity amid hardship, and he distilled that moment from the book into a lean, poetic country ballad. In doing so, he preserved the emotional core of Steinbeck’s narrative while also shaping it into something distinctly his own.
Lyrically, “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” follows Steinbeck’s original scene closely. Two dusty children enter a roadside café with only a dime to spend. They ask for candy, but the waitress, moved by their poverty and innocence, undercharges them, claiming the candy was two-for-a-penny so the children can leave with a small treat and a sense of being cared for. Nearby truckers initially scoff, embodying cynicism and the hardened attitudes of people beaten down by life. But the children’s gratitude, combined with the waitress’s quiet act of kindness, dissolves their negativity. As the children leave, the sunlight breaks through the clouds and creates a rainbow—a symbol of hope, generosity, and the enduring goodness found in unexpected places.
Cash’s lyrical adaptation is elegant in its simplicity. There are no unnecessary embellishments, no melodramatic moralizing. Instead, he lets the scene speak for itself. That restraint makes the song even more powerful: kindness appears not as a grand gesture but as a modest act, offered freely and without expectation. Cash understood that the most meaningful moments in life are often subtle, and he captures that subtlety with precision.
Vocally, Johnny Cash brings the story to life with his signature baritone—deep, warm, and quietly authoritative. His voice carries a sense of lived experience, giving emotional weight to even the most understated lines. Cash was uniquely skilled at delivering songs with a conversational tone, making the listener feel like they were sitting beside him as he recalled the scene. There is a gentle compassion in his delivery, especially when he describes the children’s innocence or the waitress’s generosity. Instead of dramatizing the moral lesson, Cash invites listeners to observe it, absorb it, and reflect on it in their own way.
Musically, the track is minimalistic, allowing the lyrics and voice to remain the focal point. Soft acoustic guitar, light percussion, and subtle instrumental flourishes create a calm, intimate atmosphere. This restraint mirrors the song’s emotional tone—quiet, reflective, and sincere. The absence of dramatic instrumentation emphasizes the song’s message: that beauty can emerge from small moments, and hope often appears unexpectedly, like a rainbow after a storm.
Thematically, “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” explores empathy, generosity, and the ripple effects of kindness. The rainbow in the title serves as both a literal image and a metaphor. It symbolizes hope breaking through hardship, the unexpected grace that appears when people choose to care for one another. Cash’s decision to pair Steinbeck’s scene with a gentle musical backdrop transforms the moment into a universal lesson—one that transcends time, place, and circumstance.
In the context of Johnny Cash’s career, the song reflects his deep interest in social issues and his lifelong commitment to telling the stories of ordinary people. Whether singing about prisoners, the poor, Native Americans, or lonely drifters, Cash consistently used his platform to highlight human dignity. “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” fits squarely within this tradition. It is not a flashy song, nor a commercial one; instead, it is one of those rare pieces that reveals Cash’s compassion, moral clarity, and narrative brilliance.
Ultimately, “Here Comes That Rainbow Again” is a gentle but profound reminder of the impact small acts of kindness can have. Through simple storytelling, understated music, and Cash’s iconic voice, the song invites listeners to see the beauty in humanity—even in hard times—and to remember that even the smallest gesture can create a rainbow in someone else’s life.