25 Minutes To Go

Album: At Folsom Prison (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written by the poet and children's author Shel Silverstein, who was known for his rather dark sense of humor. The song is about a guy who is about to be executed by hanging, and he's counting down how much time he has before he meets his doom, starting with 25 minutes. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • Appropriately, Cash performed this at a concert at Folsom Prison. A year later, Cash scored big at a prison concert with another Silverstein composition: "A Boy Named Sue."

Comments: 2

  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenSilverstein's original version was darker, too: Third line says "And in twenty-five minutes, I'll be in Hell."

    Later on, it goes "Well, my lawyer says he's sorry he missed my case...Fifteen minutes to go...Yeah, well if you're so sorry, come up and take my place. I got fourteen minutes to go."
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaWondered who was the artist for the song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.