3 Eternal Songs from Blues Pioneer Robert Johnson

Because blues music is so old and dates back even before vinyl records and other recording means, there remains a significant amount of mystery regarding its early years. Born in the American South and brought up by poor folks, the music’s origins often stem from shacks and backwoods juke joints. So, mystery abounds in the music.

Indeed, so much so that many believe some of the genre’s greats went down to the proverbial crossroads to get their skill from the devil. Enter Robert Johnson, the rarely photographed blues master who just may have gotten his talent from the man below, who has been influencing songwriters and performers for nearly 100 years.

Born May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Johnson died at just 27 years old. But before he passed away he became an iconic artist. Here below, we wanted to explore three of Johnson’s songs that have stood the test of time. Indeed, these are three eternal songs from blues pioneer Robert Johnson.

[RELATED: 4 of the Most Underrated Blues Songwriters of All Time]

“Love in Vain” (Single, 1939)

Written by Robert Johnson, this song uses his signature finger-picking to tell the story of heartbreak and loss. A train is taking his love Willie Mae Powell away and he can’t help but call out her name and cry. The train left the station, both literally and metaphorically. And as the train goes, Johnson sings he can see two lights on it, blue and red, which depict his sadness and anger. On the song, Johnson sings mournfully,

I followed her to the station, with a suitcase in my hand
And I followed her to the station, with a suitcase in my hand
Well, it’s hard to tell, it’s hard to tell, when all your love’s in vain
All my love’s in vain

When the train rolled up to the station, I looked her in the eye
When the train rolled up to the station, and I looked her in the eye
Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome, and I could not help but cry
All my love’s in vain

“Cross Road Blues” (Single, 1937)

This song tells the famous story of the guitar player. Playing a piercing finger-picked guitar, Johnson sings about going to the crossroads and getting down on his knees to beg for mercy. He needs help, he needs assistance, attention, anything. But nothing comes—nothing, the foundation for any blues tune. But maybe the story doesn’t end where the song does. Maybe Johnson was met by another force who gave him the gift of musical talent and sonic eternal life. Sings the blues magician,

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”

Yeah, standin’ at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Ooh-ee, I tried to flag a ride
Didn’t nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by

“Sweet Home Chicago” (Single, 1937)

A slower, more reflective song, this song pays tribute to one of the most famous blues cities, Chicago. He seems to equate the region to the paradise of California. Or maybe first it’s Chicago to fill up on music and then to continue west. Or maybe he’s telling his love, whom he wants to travel with him, that they can go to either, to both, there and back again. Either way, a journey is on his mind, a better place to be than where they are now. Sings, Johnson,

Oh, baby, don’t you want to go?
Oh, baby, don’t you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Oh, baby, don’t you want to go?
Oh, baby, don’t you want to go?
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Now one and one is two
Two and two is four
I’m heavy loaded, baby
I’m booked, I gotta go

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Photo of Robert Johnson via YouTube