Robert Johnson sold their spirit for the demon during the Rosedale, Mississippi
Past month, while i is operating along the Mississippi River on a newsprint task, I got an interested experience with Rosedale, Mississippi. While i try dining food into the an area titled Leo’s Markets, a waiter asserted that Rosedale is where the spot where the epic bluesman Robert Johnson marketed their spirit to the devil inturn having musical genius (an event alluded so you’re able to inside – certainly other places – the brand new Cohen brothers’ film Oh Sis, In which Artwork Thou).
As if to show they, brand new waitress given me a good wrinkled, typed transcription of an excellent “vision” about Johnson’s fateful time which had appeared to bluesman Henry Goodman as he try travelling the street out-of Rosedale so you’re able to Anguila. For the sake of posterity (and since I have never seen it somewhere else), I am publishing Goodman’s “vision” completely less than, together with a good postscript by the Rosedale’s Crossroads Blues People.
Surprisingly, there are many more contenders throughout the myth of Robert Johnson’s devil-purchased heart – and the crossroads of us 61 and you can All of us 49 inside Clarksdale is where extremely organization people spend their respects (the fresh Romantics record album is named “” therefore). Naturally – just as in ancient Roman tourist setting off locate “sites” regarding Greek myths – the region of Johnson’s crossroads is not exactly something that can also be feel confirmed. He was born inside the Hazelhurst, and his supposed grave is within Quito (near Itta Bena) – however, Rosedale did figure regarding the lyrics for starters out of Johnson’s most well-known music, “Travelling Riverside Organization”.
Robert Johnson offered his heart towards demon inside Rosedale, Mississippi
“Traveling Riverside Blues” had a massive influence on rock-n-move, and you will are remade as the “Crossroads” because of the Eric Clapton – and that says Rosedale with the exact same terms Johnson uses. It had been including protected by Contributed Zeppelin (whose a lot more well-known “Orange Track” famously steals a good lyric out-of that exact same Johnson song: “You might fit my personal lemon ’til brand new juices operates down https://kissbrides.com/russian-women/vorkuta/ my leg”).
Not one associated with shows much throughout the Robert Johnson’s crossroads, naturally, however, I for example for instance the understanding this taken place when you look at the Rosedale. The words of one’s “vision” observe…
Interviewing the fresh new Demon in the Crossroads
Robert Johnson started to experience down within the Yazoo Town as well as over at Beulah making an application for support so you’re able to Helena, drive left him on a road beside the levee, taking walks within the roadway, drums within his hand propped upon their shoulder. Oct cool evening, full-moon completing the black heavens, Robert Johnson thinking about Child Family preaching so you’re able to your, “Put you to definitely drums down, boy, you drivin’ some body nuts.” Robert Johnson trying to find of course a female and lots of whiskey. Big trees overall, dark and you will all alone highway, an excellent crazed, poisoned puppy howling and you can worrying in the a good ditch with the road sending electrified chills top to bottom Robert Johnson’s lower back, springing up on the an excellent crossroads just southern of Rosedale. Robert Johnson, impression bad and lonesome, knows somebody up the street when you look at the Gunnison. Could possibly get a drink regarding whiskey and a lot more up here. Man resting out to along side it of path toward a record on crossroads says, “You are later, Robert Johnson.” Robert Johnson falls to their knees and you will says, “Perhaps not.”
The person rises, significant, barrel-chested, and you will black colored since the permanently-signed vision from Robert Johnson’s stillborn little one, and you may strolls out over the center of the fresh crossroads where Robert Johnson kneels. According to him, “Remain true, Robert Johnson. You want to throw one to guitar over there in that abandon with this hairless puppy and you will continue back up in order to Robinsonville and play the harp with Willie Brown and you may Son, since you yet another beginner guitarist as with any the others, or you must play you to guitar particularly nobody previously starred it prior to? Build a sound no one have you ever heard in advance of? We would like to end up being the King of Delta Organization and you will have the ability to new whiskey and women you need?”
