“John the Revelator”

Well, it’s Monday, it’s music, & it didn’t take too long to return to the blues! Or at least to two men who are typically classified as blues artists, Blind Willie Johnson & Son House. In fact, “John the Revelator” is a gospel or spiritual from the African American tradition. Blind Willie Johnson was a street preacher as well as a street musician—a common combination in the early to mid 20th century (the Reverend Gary Davis is another well-known figure who combined the two roles), while Son House was himself a preacher before he succumbed to the power of the blues!

The two versions are quite different, musically & lyrically. Johnson is accompanying himself on guitar & has his wife, Willie B. Harris, as back-up singer. Son House on the other hand, always dispensed with his National guitar when he performed this song & sang it a cappella. Johnson’s version was recorded for Columbia in New Orleans on December 11, 1929 (the A side, backed by “You’re Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond”), & was also included as a selection on Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music. Son House’s version was recorded for The Legendary Son House: Father of Folk Blues (Columbia, 1965).  Another stirring version by House was released on Delta Blues & Spirituals (Capitol, 1995), & was recorded at a show at the 100 Club in London, England on July 14, 1970.

This post is dedicated to my dear friends Sheila & Mairi. Enjoy!





Lyrics

The lyrics below are Blind Willie Johnson's version of "John the Revelator" as found in the Anthology of American Folk Music. Subsequent versions feature a variety of substituted verses and different interpretations of Johnson's lyrics, all quoting passages from the Bible, in the tradition of African American spirituals.

    [call] Well who's that writin'? [response] John the Revelator
    Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    Who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    A book of the seven seals

    [call] Tell me what's John writin'? [response] Ask the Revelator
    What's John writin'? Ask the Revelator
    What's John writin'? Ask the Revelator
    A book of the seven seals

    Well ooh ooh why me, thousands cried holy
    Bound for some, Son of our God
    Daughter of Zion, Judah the Lion
    He redeemeth, and bought us with his blood

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]

    John the Revelator, great advocator
    Get's 'em on the battle of Zion
    Lord, tellin' the story, risin' in glory
    Cried, "Lord, don't you love some I"

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]

    Well Moses to Moses, watchin' the flock
    Saw the bush where they had to stop
    God told Moses, "Pull off your shoes"
    Out of the flock, well you I choose

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]

These are the lyrics for Son House's 1965 recording version, which explicitly reference three theologically important events: the Fall of Man, the Passion of Christ, and the Resurrection.

    [call] Who's that writin'? [response] John the Revelator
    Tell me who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    Tell me who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    Wrote the book of the seven seals

    [call] Who's that writin'? [response] John the Revelator
    Tell me who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    Well who's that writin'? John the Revelator
    Wrote the book of the seven seals

    You know God walked down in the cool of the day
    Called Adam by his name
    But he refused to answer
    Because he's naked and ashamed

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]

    You know Christ had twelve apostles
    And three he led away
    He said, "Watch with me one hour,
    'till I go yonder and pray."

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]

    Christ came on Easter morning
    Mary and Martha went down to see
    He said, "Go tell my disciples
    To meet me in Galilee."

    [Repeat verses 1 & 2]