Crossroads

Producer

Written in 1936, this may be the definitive song in the Robert Johnson mythology. It’s a story song about how he sold his soul to the devil for his talent. It’s a… Read More

Jan. 1, 19861 viewer

Crossroads Lyrics

Well I'm standin' at the crossroads, I'm tryin' to think right
I'm standin' at the crossroads, tryin' to think right
All my friends seem to know me
But just keep passin' me on by

I'm standin' at the crossroads, fell down on my knees
Standin' at the crossroads, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy
Won't you forgive me please

You can run, you can run, tell my friend boy
I see Willie, but I can't run
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend Willie Brown
Saw him standin' at the crossroads
I was sinkin'
I mean sinkin' down

Sun goin' down, God gonna catch me here
Well, sun goin' down, God gonna catch me here
I ain't got no lovin' sweet woman
Let me feel my fear

[Jam Outro -
The ghost of Robert John begins a long, slow retreat back into his grave, followed by his minions.]

Well I'm standin' at the crossroads
I'm standin' at the crossroads
Takin' a little deal down at the crossroads
Takin' a little deal
Takin' a liitle deal
Lay down at the crossroads
Make a little deal
At the crossroads
Go, let the devil ride
Go, let the devil ride
Just remember, if you let him ride
The devil, he's gonna wanna drive
Look out
Pick me up
Pick me up
Pick me up
Pick me up
I'm standin' at the crossroads
I'm so lonesome down here
Powerful fever in the mornin'
Powerful fever in the evenin'
Why don't cha'
Pick me up?
Why don't cha'
Pick me up?
Why don't cha'
Pick me up?
Why don't cha'
Pick me up?
Why don't cha'
Pick me up
Why don't cha'
Pick me up?

[The opening guitar phrase is repeated once and distorted at its end for the close.]

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About

Written in 1936, this may be the definitive song in the Robert Johnson mythology. It’s a story song about how he sold his soul to the devil for his talent. It’s a variation on the German legend of Faust, and that just adds more power to the Johnson legend. You can find Johnson’s original song right here.

This arrangement by Cooder brings the song and the story to life in the 1986 movie, Crossroads. In real life, Willie Brown was an early bluesman and friend of Johnson. He died in 1952, but in the movie and in this version of the song, Willie Brown is still alive and a central character of the story.