John the Revelator (song)
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| “John the Revelator” | ||
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| Song by Blind Willie Johnson | ||
| Recorded | 1930 | |
| Cover versions | ||
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Several artists |
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"John the Revelator" is a traditional Gospel/blues call and response song. [1] In the chorus, John of Patmos, the traditional author of the Book of Revelation, is writing "the book of the seven seals." In Christian tradition, John of Patmos is generally considered the same person as John the Apostle and John the Evangelist.
The song was recorded in 1930 by Blind Willie Johnson and is included in the Anthology of American Folk Music. [1][2][3] In this version Johnson's first wife Willie B Harris performs the response parts of the song. [4] The Golden Gate Quartet performed and recorded the song a cappella in the 1930s. [5] Son House recorded several a cappella versions in the 1960s.
The song has been covered by numerous bands and musicians, including The Blues Brothers, Beck, Billy Childish, John Mellencamp, Gov't Mule, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, R.E.M., Frank Black, The White Stripes, Ian Siegal, Phil Keaggy and many others. Similarly titled songs by Depeche Mode and Dave Matthews Band were inspired by the traditional gospel song. The movie Blues Brothers 2000, in which the song is covered by both Taj Mahal and Sam Moore, also includes an additional verse written for the movie and performed by Joe Morton.
[edit] Lyrics
The lyrics below are Blind Willie Johnson's version of "John the Revelator". Subsequent versions feature a variety of substituted verses and different interpretations of Johnson's lyrics.
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- Tell me what's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- Now who art worthy, thousands cried holy
- Bound for some, Son of our God
- Daughter of Zion, Judah the Lion
- He redeemeth us, Jesus bought us with his blood
- Now tell me who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- Well what's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- What's John a-writin'? Ask the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- 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 4 & 5]
- 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, a-well-a you I choose
- [Repeat verses 4 & 5]
These are the lyrics for Son House's 1965 recording version.
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- 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
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- Christ had twelve apostles
- And three he led away
- He said, "Walk with me while I walk,
- 'til I go yon and pray."
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- Christ came on Easter morning
- Mary and Martha were down to see
- He said, "Go tell my disciples
- to meet me in Galilee."
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
- [call] Well who's that a-writin'? [response] John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator
- A book of the seven seals
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sleeve notes from Dark Was the Night by Blind Willie Johnson, Columbia/Mojo Working Blues 1998
- ^ Keefer, Jane. Folk Music - An Index to Recorded Resources
- ^ Anthology of American Folk Music, Volume 2: Social Music, Track 52, JOHN THE REVELATOR, Blind Willie Johnson
- ^ 'Austin 360' web-site, The Soul of Bline Willie Johnson (Michael Corcoran).
- ^ Golden Gate Quartet Vol. 1 (1937-1938), published on CD in 2000
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