Oregon Loggers Work In The Woods Singing Johnny Cash

Tillamook State Forest has plenty of trees, and plenty of piles made by Oregon loggers. Visitors from around the world need to see the beauty of Oregon, and the clear cuts. A close up view.

One belongs to the other. I wouldn’t advise anyone going into a working coal mine, but why not take a look behind the curtain of the forest industry. Then ask yourself one question, “Could I do this job?”

Sure you could. Read Ken Kesey’s ‘Sometimes a Great Notion,’ see the movie Paul Newman made from the book. The only difference between reading about Oregon loggers, and working the woods? You’ll figure it out.

Johnny Cash sings a song called Lumberjack. The lyrics below are courtesy of azlyrics.com.

His isn’t the only logger song, just a favorite of mine, and a nice road trip soundtrack for the shots. Is there anyplace else with such a perfect match of Johhny Cash and Oregon loggers? Leave the answer in comments.

I lived on a farm out in Iowa
I pulled the corn and I worked in the hay
Got trapped by a girl but I wiggled free
Heard the Oregon timber callin’ me

Will you tell me somethin’, Mr lumberjack?
Is it one for forward and three for back?
Is it two for stop or four for go?
Boy, ask a whistle punk I don’t know

Well, I learned this fact from a logger named Ray
You don’t cut timber on a windy day
Stay out of the woods when the moisture’s low
Or you ain’t gonna live to collect your dough

Will you tell me somethin’, Mr lumberjack?
Is it one for forward and three for back?
Is it two for stop or four for go?
Boy, ask a whistle punk I don’t know

Well you work in the woods from morning to night
You laugh and sing and you cuss and fight
On Saturday night you go to Eugene
And on a Sunday morning your pockets are clean

Will you tell me somethin’, Mr lumberjack?
Is it one for forward and three for back?
Is it two for stop or four for go?
Boy, ask a whistle punk I don’t know