Robert Johnson sold their spirit on demon during the Rosedale, Mississippi

History day, once i is riding along the Mississippi Lake to your a newsprint assignment, I got a curious knowledge of Rosedale, Mississippi. Whenever i are dining food for the an area entitled Leo’s Markets, a waitress asserted that Rosedale is the place where in fact the epic bluesman Robert Johnson marketed his heart with the demon reciprocally to possess musical wizard (a meeting alluded in order to when you look at the – one of other areas – the fresh new Cohen brothers’ flick Oh Sister, In which Art Thou).

Because if to show they San bernardino most beautiful girls, new waiter handed me good wrinkled, entered transcription off a great “vision” in the Johnson’s fateful second that had appeared to bluesman Henry Goodman as he try take a trip the trail off Rosedale to Anguila. In the interests of posterity (and because You will find never seen they someplace else), I am publishing Goodman’s “vision” in full below, in addition to a postscript of the Rosedale’s Crossroads Organization Neighborhood.

Surprisingly, there are many more contenders on myth from Robert Johnson’s devil-purchased soul – while the crossroads of us 61 and All of us 44 within the Clarksdale is the perfect place very blues visitors shell out its areas (new Romantics record album is known as “” therefore). Definitely – like with ancient Roman people setting off to acquire “sites” regarding Greek myths – the spot of Johnson’s crossroads isn’t exactly a thing that can also be become confirmed. He had been created when you look at the Hazelhurst, with his going grave is in Quito (close Itta Bena) – however, Rosedale performed profile in the lyrics for just one off Johnson’s most famous music, “Travel Riverside Blues”.

Robert Johnson offered their soul with the devil for the Rosedale, Mississippi

“Travel Riverside Organization” got an enormous affect stone-n-move, and is remade just like the “Crossroads” because of the Eric Clapton – which says Rosedale with the exact same words Johnson uses. It actually was and protected by Added Zeppelin (whoever a great deal more better-recognized “Lemon Track” notoriously steals a good lyric out-of you to definitely same Johnson tune: “You can press my lemon ‘til this new fruit juice operates down my leg”).

None of demonstrates far regarding the Robert Johnson’s crossroads, naturally, however, We for 1 for instance the understanding that it happened in Rosedale. What of one’s “vision” pursue…

Interviewing the newest Demon on Crossroads

Robert Johnson already been playing off in Yazoo Town as well as at Beulah trying to get back up in order to Helena, journey kept him on a path next to the levee, walking in the highway, guitar in the give propped abreast of his neck. October cool nights, full moon filling up the latest black sky, Robert Johnson thinking about Son House preaching so you can him, “Lay one keyboards off, boy, your drivin’ anyone crazy.” Robert Johnson looking for bear in mind a woman and many whiskey. Large trees around, dark and you will all alone path, an excellent crazed, poisoned puppy howling and you can moaning from inside the an effective abandon alongside the road sending electrified chills top to bottom Robert Johnson’s lower back, springing up into the an effective crossroads only southern out-of Rosedale. Robert Johnson, effect crappy and you can flying solo, knows anyone in the street for the Gunnison. Get a drink from whiskey and up around. Guy seated out to the side of your roadway toward a beneficial journal at the crossroads says, “You happen to be later, Robert Johnson.” Robert Johnson falls so you’re able to their legs and states, “Maybe not.”

The man stacks up, significant, barrel-chested, and black colored because forever-signed vision off Robert Johnson’s stillborn child, and you may guides out to the center of the new crossroads in which Robert Johnson kneels. According to him, “Stand, Robert Johnson. We want to place you to definitely guitar more there where forget with this hairless dog and continue back-up to Robinsonville and you may play the harp that have Willie Brownish and you will Son, as you yet another guitar player like all the rest, or you need certainly to gamble you to drums such as for example not one person actually starred it in advance of? Create a sound not one person have you ever heard just before? We should end up being the King of Delta Organization and you may have got all this new whiskey and you will female you would like?”