Lyr Req: Crossroads / Crossroads Blues (R Johnson)

19 Jan 98 - 03:30 PM (#19485)
Subject: Crossroads
From: beansprout

'Si yo, friends. Here's what ought to be the most asked question a feller could ask. Where might I find the lyrics to Crossroads? Hope someone can hep me.

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19 Jan 98 - 04:17 PM (#19487)
Subject: Lyr Add: CROSSROADS BLUES (Robert Johnson)
From: Jon W.

I'm surprized I couldn't find this one either in the database or in the forum. Here's Robert Johnson's version:

CROSSROADS BLUES
Robert Johnson

I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees (2x)
I asked the Lord above have mercy, save Poor Bob if you please.

Standin' at the crossroads, I tried flag a ride (2x)
Didn't nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by.

When the sun go down boy, sun gonna catch me here (2x)
I haven't got no lovin' sweet mama, just to love and feel my care.

You can run you can run, tell my friend boy, Willie Brown (2x)
That I'm standin' at the crossroad babe, I believe I'm sinkin' down.

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20 Jan 98 - 01:06 AM (#19512)
Subject: Lyr Add: CROSSROADS (from Cream)
From: Joe Offer

CREAM - CROSSROADS
(attributed to Robert Johnson)

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
Ask the lord up above for mercy, take me if you please.

I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.

Well I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Well I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
You can still buy a house baby, on the riverside.

You can run, you can run, tell my friends I'll be around
Run, you can run, tell my friends I'll be around
Well I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down.

from the International Lyrics Server, http://www.lyrics.ch/

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20 Jan 98 - 10:20 AM (#19526)
Subject: RE: Crossroads
From: Jon W.

The Rosedale verse that Cream used is actually from another Robert Johnson song called "Traveling Riverside Blues". Actually the last line is "You can still barrelhouse, baby..." And I'm pretty sure Clapton sang the last verse the same words as Robert Johnson did. This verse is integral to the movie "Crossroads" which featured the song. However, the movie got it wrong--they had Willie Brown being a harmonica player. He actually was a guitarist that played a lot with Charlie Patton and Son House. Young Robert used to sit around and watch them and try their instruments when they went on a break. Willie was the author of "Future Blues" which I believe I'll go post on the favorite blues thread.

BTW, I consider Cream's recording to be perhaps the best live recording of a song in the history of Rock 'n' Roll. But that's just my opinion.

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