Meaning of "Walk the line"

[SB Chan]

What is "walk the line" in Johny Cash's song "I Walk the line" meant?

[Tdol]

Followed the rules/Did what he was told to

[sbchan]

This emaning doesn't seems fit to Johnny Cash's song "I Walk the Line". If walk in the line means following the reule then what did Johnny Cash's lyrics of "I walk the line" mean?

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

SB

[BobK]

The sense fits in that song. Johnny Cash enjoys doing things his wife doesn't like. but he makes an effort to curb his natural impulses for love of her.

b

[sbchan]

I see. Thank you very much.
SB

[BobK]

Not at all . I've been thinking further about this, and I think my previous reply may have been too general. He starts by saying "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine", so I think maybe the whole song is about not falling for other women. (I have no idea what "I keep the ends out" mean though.)

b

[Ouisch]

Johnny wrote "I Walk the Line" when he was married to his first wife, Vivan. It was sort of his pledge to be faithful to her while he was on the road touring. "I keep the ends out for the tie that binds" is a reference to his marriage, though I can't quite interpret the "ends out" part exactly....imagery was never my strongest suit.

[Tdol]

Did he meet his second wife on the road?

[Ouisch]

Did he meet his second wife on the road?

LOL Yes. Goes to show....never trust a man who writes fidelity songs.

[Tdol]

Or one who doesn't.

Mind you, it have really driven her mad to hear him singing it with June on backing vocals.