By
Robert Johnson. According to legend Johnson acquired his mastery of the guitar at such a young age by selling his soul to
the Devil on a lonely
Mississippi Crossroads one evening in
1930. Proponents of the legend say this is what "Crossroad Blues" is about.
This song was famously covered by Cream as "Crossroads." The verse about "Goin' down to Rosedale" in that version of the song is transplanted from another Robert Johnson song, Traveling Riverside Blues.
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy now, save poor Bob if you please."
Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody passed me by.
Mmmm, the sun goin' down, boy, dark gon' catch me here
Oooo, oooee boy, dark gon' catch me here
I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that love and feel my care.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe, I believe I'm sinkin' down.
And I went to the crossroad, mama, I looked east and west
I went to the crossroad, baby, I looked east and west
Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman, ooh well, babe, in my distress.