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Last month, while I was driving down the Mississippi River on a magazine assignment, I had a curious experience in Rosedale, Mississippi. As I was eating lunch in a place called Leo’s Market, a waitress mentioned that Rosedale is the place where the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical genius (an event alluded to in — among other places — the Cohen brothers’ movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou). As if to prove it, the waitress handed me a wrinkled, typewritten transcription of a “vision” about Johnson’s fateful moment that had appeared to bluesman Henry Goodman as he was traveling the road from Rosedale to Anguila. For the sake of posterity (and because I have never seen it elsewhere), I am publishing Goodman’s “vision” in full below, as well as a postscript by Rosedale’s Crossroads Blues Society.
Interestingly, there are other contenders in the myth of Robert Johnson’s devil-purchased soul — and the crossroads of US 61 and US 49 in Clarksdale is where most blues tourists pay their respects (the newest Romantics album is called “61/49″ for this reason). Of course — as with ancient Roman tourists setting off to find “sites” from Greek myths — the location of Johnson’s crossroads is not exactly something that can be proven. He was born in Hazelhurst, and his supposed grave is in Quito (near Itta Bena) — but Rosedale did figure in the lyrics for one of Johnson’s most famous songs, “Traveling Riverside Blues”.
“Lord, I’m goin’ to Rosedale,” he wails, “gon’ take my rider by my side.”
“Traveling Riverside Blues” had a huge influence on rock-n-roll, and was remade as “Crossroads” by Eric Clapton — which mentions Rosedale with the same phrase Johnson uses. It was also covered by Led Zeppelin (whose more well-known “Lemon Song” famously steals a lyric from that same Johnson tune: “You can squeeze my lemon ’til the juice runs down my leg”).
None of this proves much about Robert Johnson’s crossroads, of course, but I for one like the notion that it happened in Rosedale. The text of the “vision” follows…
Meeting with the Devil at the Crossroads
A “vision”, as told by Henry Goodman
Robert Johnson been playing down in Yazoo City and over at Beulah trying to get back up to Helena, ride left him out on a road next to the levee, walking up the highway, guitar in his hand propped up on his shoulder. October cool night, full moon filling up the dark sky, Robert Johnson thinking about Son House preaching to him, “Put that guitar down, boy, you drivin’ people nuts.” Robert Johnson needing as always a woman and some whiskey. Big trees all around, dark and lonesome road, a crazed, poisoned dog howling and moaning in a ditch alongside the road sending electrified chills up and down Robert Johnson’s spine, coming up on a crossroads just south of Rosedale. Robert Johnson, feeling bad and lonesome, knows people up the highway in Gunnison. Can get a drink of whiskey and more up there. Man sitting off to the side of the road on a log at the crossroads says, “You’re late, Robert Johnson.” Robert Johnson drops to his knees and says, “Maybe not.”
The man stands up, tall, barrel-chested, and black as the forever-closed eyes of Robert Johnson’s stillborn baby, and walks out to the middle of the crossroads where Robert Johnson kneels. He says, “Stand up, Robert Johnson. You want to throw that guitar over there in that ditch with that hairless dog and go on back up to Robinsonville and play the harp with Willie Brown and Son, because you just another guitar player like all the rest, or you want to play that guitar like nobody ever played it before? Make a sound nobody ever heard before? You want to be the King of the Delta Blues and have all the whiskey and women you want?”
“That’s a lot of whiskey and women, Devil-Man.”
“I know you, Robert Johnson,” says the man.
Robert Johnson, feels the moonlight bearing down on his head and the back of his neck as the moon seems to be growing bigger and bigger and brighter and brighter. He feels it like the heat of the noonday sun bearing down, and the howling and moaning of the dog in the ditch penetrates his soul, coming up through his feet and the tips of his fingers through his legs and arms, settling in that big empty place beneath his breastbone causing him to shake and shudder like a man with the palsy. Robert Johnson says, “That dog gone mad.”
The man laughs. “That hound belong to me. He ain’t mad, he’s got the Blues. I got his soul in my hand.”
The dog lets out a low, long soulful moan, a howling like never heard before, rhythmic, syncopated grunts, yelps, and barks, seizing Robert Johnson like a Grand Mal, and causing the strings on his guitar to vibrate, hum, and sing with a sound dark and blue, beautiful, soulful chords and notes possessing Robert Johnson, taking him over, spinning him around, losing him inside of his own self, wasting him, lifting him up into the sky. Robert Johnson looks over in the ditch and sees the eyes of the dog reflecting the bright moonlight or, more likely so it seems to Robert Johnson, glowing on their own, a deep violet penetrating glow, and Robert Johnson knows and feels that he is staring into the eyes of a Hellhound as his body shudders from head to toe.
The man says, “The dog ain’t for sale, Robert Johnson, but the sound can be yours. That’s the sound of the Delta Blues.”
“I got to have that sound, Devil-Man. That sound is mine. Where do I sign?”
The man says, “You ain’t got a pencil, Robert Johnson. Your word is good enough. All you got to do is keep walking north. But you better be prepared. There are consequences.”
“Prepared for what, Devil-man?”
“You know where you are, Robert Johnson? You are standing in the middle of the crossroads. At midnight, that full moon is right over your head. You take one more step, you’ll be in Rosedale. You take this road to the east, you’ll get back over to Highway 61 in Cleveland, or you can turn around and go back down to Beulah or just go to the west and sit up on the levee and look at the River. But if you take one more step in the direction you’re headed, you going to be in Rosedale at midnight under this full October moon, and you are going to have the Blues like never known to this world. My left hand will be forever wrapped around your soul, and your music will possess all who hear it. That’s what’s going to happen. That’s what you better be prepared for. Your soul will belong to me. This is not just any crossroads. I put this “X” here for a reason, and I been waiting on you.”
Robert Johnson rolls his head around, his eyes upwards in their sockets to stare at the blinding light of the moon which has now completely filled tie pitch-black Delta night, piercing his right eye like a bolt of lightning as the midnight hour hits. He looks the big man squarely in the eyes and says, “Step back, Devil-Man, I’m going to Rosedale. I am the Blues.”
The man moves to one side and says, “Go on, Robert Johnson. You the King of the Delta Blues. Go on home to Rosedale. And when you get on up in town, you get you a plate of hot tamales because you going to be needing something on your stomach where you’re headed.”
Postscript
From the Crossroads Blues Society, Rosedale, Mississippi
People say that the crossroads where Robert Johnson made the pact with the devil is in Clarksdale where Highway 49 intersects with Highway 61. But, as can be seen from the events described above, that’s not the case. The crossroads, the one and only crossroads, where the Delta Blues emerged as a manifest entity in the person and music of Robert Johnson is at the south end of Rosedale where Highway 8 intersects with Highway 1. This will be disputed, as some people will dispute that Robert Johnson ever even made a deal with the devil. But the preacher man, Son House, knew. Even though he wasn’t a preacher. And, if Son House were alive today, he would set the story right.
Truth is, nobody was there when the deal went down but Robert Johnson and the devil. This statement will likely cause some people to say ‘well, just where in hell did the events described above come from if nobody was there to witness them?’ A reasonable question about a spiritual event. Realms must be observed. Or, at least, felt. The events described were witnessed in a Vision. With a capital “V”. Not just any vision, but a visual spiritual experience more real and true than the reality and truth encountered on a day to day basis in the everyday physical world in which life goes on. A spiritual Vision about a spiritual event. Both in the same realm. Plus, the devil hangs close to the Mississippi River, and putting down his “X” as far away from the River as Clarksdale is simply something that would not happen. Voodoo oozes from New Orleans for a reason.
There will be always naysayers and doubters. But most of these can be counted among those people who would have you “define” the Blues. Well, you can’t define the Blues. You feel the Blues, you are seized by the Blues. You are possessed by the Blues. The Blues is music like a Cadillac is a car, There’s just more to it than that, a transcendence, an essence unmeasurable, unspeakable. The essence of Rosedale is the essence of the Delta Blues. Rosedale is not just a delta town. Come on down and see.
The Crossroads Blues Society is headquartered in Rosedale at Leo’s Market, sitting alongside Highway 1 where Highway 8 intersects. Right across the Highway from where the log was so many years ago. Right at the spot where the Devil put the “X” and sat to wait on the soon-to-be Great Robert Johnson. Where else could such a Society be headquartered except here? The Crossroads Blues Society is dedicated and devoted to celebrating and experiencing the Delta Blues. There is no understanding or defining the Delta Blues, but experiencing the blues, feeling the blues, theorizing about the blues, discussing and talking about the blues, and listening to the blues – all spiritual experiences of differing decrees of intensity – is the mission of the Society. This occurs in Rosedale. And when this occurs in Rosedale, you are riding in a Cadillac, top down, with Robert Johnson at your side.
The source of the Delta Blues is this crossroads in Rosedale. Rosedale is the City of the Blues. The Blues have been in the Mississippi Delta forever, hovering over the land like an ether, a vapor. The Blues ware here before Hernando DeSoto, before the planters and their slaves, even before the Indians, who were indeed floating down the Great River when DeSoto “discovered” the Mississippi. How so, Hernando? DeSoto discovered the Mississippi the same way John Handy discovered tie Blues before jumping on a train for Memphis in Tutwiler. The Blues and the River were already there. And people still don’t and never will understand either one nor the essential connection between them. Both can be experienced in Rosedale.
April 16th, 2004 at 6:47 am
After reading that passage 30 seconds ago I walked over to my cd player and popped in my “King of the Delta Blues” CD. Looks like I’ll be a bit late for work ’cause once that CD starts I can’t go anywhere till the last song is over.
Great story!
April 19th, 2004 at 7:37 pm
Here
November 7th, 2005 at 7:59 pm
I have the little L1 that Robert holds in the photograph, it’s a magical guitar, who knows maybe the crossroads story may just be true.
November 24th, 2005 at 7:53 pm
im goin there soon im gone sell my soul, im serious
November 26th, 2005 at 6:22 am
that was a great story and robert johnson was and still is the greatest blues guitarest ever.
November 26th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
Well, it seems as if Clapton actually combined the lyrics of Johnson’s “Crossroads Blues” with the Rosedale reference from his “Traveling Riverside Blues” to make the Cream song “Crossroads.” They are 2 different songs.
Here is a URL to Robert Johnson’s lyrics:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2541/blrjohns.htm
Clapton took what Johnson started and took it to other places. But not many of us would be playing guitar now and there wouldn’t be any such thing as rock and roll if it weren’t for Johnson.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:39 am
“there wouldn’t be any such thing as rock and roll if it weren’t for Johnson”
Lets not get carried away now..
January 6th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
he’s dead..
January 13th, 2006 at 6:07 am
My memaw lives in Rosedale. I just returned from their. Leo’s is closed, but they have a new juke joint there called the Blue Levey Cafe. It serves all the old white ladies at dinner and heats up as a juke joint on Friday and Saturday nights. As a youn boy I spent every summer in this mystical place. Folks their have an unnatural reverence for “Old Man River”. I have always known in my heart that my musical ability comes from my connection to this place. After this last trip I have no more doubts. Highway 1 and Highway 8 will always be the crossroads.
June 24th, 2006 at 8:29 am
GOODAY IS IT POSIBLE 4 SOMEBODY TO SELL IS SOUL TO THE DEVIL AND STILL REMAIL POOR
July 17th, 2006 at 1:21 am
I’m going down there myself in a few months. Though I don’t expect the Devil will be there to do a deal with me. For if such a being there be, my soul is surely already his.
July 22nd, 2006 at 2:56 pm
there is no deal done at the crossroads,this is all man’s imagination.Johnson was just a very talented guitar player.
January 20th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
God gives the “talent” to play the guitar. It’s up to us to practice, develope & refine.
January 23rd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
What a great version. This story like all through history have their roots in fact. Facts no one can explain. The blues is like that. You either feel it or not. And pity those who cant. The student cannot play the lesson. But he can play the blues, because… like the heart needs no instruction to beat, the soul need no instruction to feel the blues. I cant wait to go and feel the spirit.
January 24th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
We are all very complex creatures. That is one of the reasons Robert Johnson could play the way he did. The same applies to many others. I personally think the “blues” is a form of music. I truly “feel” it, like any other kind of music I play and/or listen to. Personal preference usually seems to dictate, though, in many instances that I have observed, the undeniable appealing “pull” that blues music has on players and listeners. I believe it is more so than most other kinds of music. I like alot of different styles of music.
February 10th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Wow. Cool blog entry, Potts. What a strange sidetrip from or backstory to Cream’s “Crossroads.” I agree with Paul and Mike, and I don’t necessarily think the land was the preternatural haven or haunt of blues. What about the Native Americans … or when the French-Canadians explored the river? All in all, a mythic story, and I have to check out Johnson. Watch out for those howling, violet-eyed dogs, ya’ll.
April 16th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
i sold my soul to the devil.but i was able to get it back by asking the lord for forgiveness and the help of a medicine man.I was drinking 1 night and got news of my mother being sick from cancer, she had just been in surgery and they called and said she had another form of cancer.i was mad cause my mom goes to church all the time and loves the lord.i screamed at the top of my lungs that i hated god and cussed him out, and blaming him for my moms illness,and i said what do i have to do for her to be alright sale my soul to the devil cause u arent helping her.well needless to say the next week or so i went through hell litterally, i have never been so scared in my life it is something icant begin to explain but lets just say the devil is the biggest liar, and he told me i had to do work for him which was makin people believe in him.I tried but people were like man your crazy what are you on.i was sober and i wasnt on drugs but the things i witnessed are just plain crazy.i actually thought i was gonna go to the crazy house.but i told my dad what happened and he called my moms priest and with help from another guy they healed me.I just want u guys who say im gonna sell my soul to the devil know that it isnt anything like u expect, money, women, riches, depression loneliness and coldness is what to expect.but i thank the lord for letting me back in his life and him back in mine
May 15th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I am from Rosedale, and I was a waitress at Leo’s Market along with my mother. Leo’s is now closed, but the Crossroads Blues Society lives on… I know this story and I am glad it is out there for all to hear! I am a believer and everyone should be too!
May 15th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
I am from Rosedale, and I was a waitress at Leo’s Market along with my mother. Leo’s is now closed, but the Blue Levee is now in its place. Still a great place to eat and visit! The Crossroads Blues Society lives on… and I hope it always will. I know this story and I am glad it is out there for all to hear! I am a believer and everyone should be too!
October 28th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
This was a amazing story. many people may not believe these story’s, About famous guitar players. But I do know it seems almost as true as you may think it is. After listening to Led zepplin. And Robert Johnson Playing that guitar, I knew It wasn’t ever possible, for someone to pick at that guitar that good. So, You will never rely know. But it does seem like that is what happened. And him dyeing at the Age of 27, You know the devil came to take him, As his deal was up. I play the guitar my self. And I am good. But I do no I would never trade my soul to the devil. Great story once again
February 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am
hello there
can i really sell my soul to the devil in exchange for wealth?waiting to read from you as soonest
my email is blaiso2pac@yahoo.com
February 7th, 2008 at 9:38 am
hello there.
it is possible that i can sell my soul in exchange for money and how does it works .waiting to read from you.
contact:0023779687550.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
id like to sell my soul to the the devil, please help
email-chris_galen18@yahoo.com
March 28th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Id like to sell my soul to the devil, please help me.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
interesting read. I really enjoyed this story, but I’m affraid that a story is all it is. Robert Johnson sucked before this story and guess what….if he were here today, he would still suck. Peace!
July 30th, 2008 at 7:42 am
StratMan u suck, Robert Johnson DID sell his soul to the devil, and he’s the BEST bluesman there ever was and is. Your just plain stupid to understand that
August 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
The person represented in O brother where art thou was Tommy Johnson, another bluesman who also is said to have sold his soul.
October 5th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Hey, maybe he DID make a deal with the devil. We Dont know. That is what makes it soo awesome.
November 4th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Deal or no deal, Johnson was a unique musician who influenced a lot of other musicians during his age and onward to this day. I am amazed at his variety of styles of music,as well as his writing ability.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
You just have no idea….
March 24th, 2009 at 3:03 am
This is an awesome, whether or not you believe it or even if you don’t like the Blues. Thanks for this fascinating post!
March 28th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I cant honestly believe people want to sell their souls for ‘wealth’ im not a religious man by any means… but your soul is your wealth.
Look at it this way, you make a deal, things are great for the next 10 years.. but then oh dear… time runs out… you have to leave your life behind and suffer ETERNALLY. Not worth it. for anything the devil could offer you.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I am from ,and still live in MS, but Rosedaleisnt specifacly important. You just have to be at a crossroad. I believe in the crossroad spirit because there is so much unexplainable wonder.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’m gonna be the greatest guitarist that has ever walked planet Earth.
Watch me.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
When Robert sold his soul, it was to become a great bluesman. There was no mention of money involved, only women and whiskey. I wonder if Robert got his fill of either?
August 6th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
so, like…. can ya go to any crossroads cos im willing to sell my soul to the devil…. but i would add that i want plenty of money, might as well get as much out of him as i can….
August 14th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I dont know if selling your soul is true, but I had a friend tell me that he sold his soul. When asked he said he was just by himself at night in the middle of nowhere and he just talked to him. I never asked what he wanted since it was not my buisness. Sadly about 3 years later he killed himself. But I think he got it, and it scares the hell out of me. R.I.P. old friend
August 18th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
i been trying to sell my soul but nothing happens when i try. i would like to sell my soul. tell me how to
August 18th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
is there really devils? heaven and hell is it true. i am going try to sell my soul to satan again tonight. i hope it works this time. i realy want to sell my soul to satan.
August 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
satan i hope i see you today or tonight it does not matter but i hope we meet. i love you and you know that i hate jesus for a long time. please come today or tonight.
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
All you folks who say you wanna sell your souls to the devil are just plain crazy!!! First of all, Jesus said that the devil was & is a liar, a thief, & a murderer from DAY One!!! You folks have no idea what’cher sayin’ when you say, “I wanna sell my soul to the devil.”!! You have ABSOLUTELY no idea!!! How does the idea of bein’ lit on fire from head to foot for ALL ETERNITY & screamin’ in agony sound to YOU?!!! Sound like fun?!!! Not to me, & not to the average human bein’ w/ a lick of sense!!! I can tell you that if you go through w/ this (Sellin’ your soul to the devil, much less rejectin’ Jesus’s offer of Salvation through what He did on the cross for you people 2000 years ago), that that’s what’cher in for!! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS!!! Or to quote the guys in Stryper, “The De-vil’s not your fri-end! You play with fi-re, you fe-el the pa-in!”. Satan never pays with anything but emptiness, heartache, & pain in the end. Alistair Crowley found that out (As have so many others) the hard way at the end of his life: Here he expected for Satan to make him his right-hand man & in the end, he died penniless, broke, & is now burning & SCREAMING in HELL(!!!) even as we speak!!! Tell me, is that REALLY what you guys want for yourselves?!!! ‘Cuz, if it is, like I said, you’re all crazier than I thought!!! You wanna really learn how to play? Get with Jesus Christ: THE INVENTOR & ORIGINATOR of music: See, God originally created music to be used for HIS GLORY! Satan-when he fell from Heaven-just STOLE that gift, brought it down here with him, perverted it, & used it for his own nefarious purposes!! In my guitar practices, I’ve found Jesus to be THE BEST Music Teacher of all, not Satan!! Satan is A LOSER!! Always has been, always WILL BE!! If you guys can’t see that, then, GET A CLUE!!! YOU TRULY ARE BLIND!! ‘Nuff said!!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
P.S.: Jesus LOVES you all, very much!!! Satan HATES you, has no love for you & never did!! Why ANYONE would ever CONSIDER selling their soul to him is BEYOND ME!! Jesus invites you to give your heart/life over to him today. Why you hate Jesus so much, Michael, is also beyond me. He loved you enough to DIE for you on a cross 2000 years ago, so He’s NEVER done ANYTHING, not ONCE, to deserve your hate! But alas, even He said to us followers of His, “Don’t be surprised if the world hates you. For it hated Me first!” & also that, “They (the world) hated Me without reason.”. I’ll be prayin’ for you, dude, & hopefully, in the meantime, you’ll wise up, get some sense in that head of yours, & take Jesus up on His offer! Laters!
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
P.S.S.: And as for the rest of ya’s, I’ll be prayin’ for you too! Cya!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Lord, je suis allé à Rosedale au Mississippi,moi-meme j’ai rencontré ce vieux diable.Next time
November 6th, 2009 at 8:34 am
If you once sell your soul, you can’t never get it back.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:37 am
If anybody know that how we can get relief from a devil soul please send me your suggestions to gladiator_unbeaten@yahoo.com
December 26th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I grew up in the Delta. My family were share croppers. I went to school in Gunnison, Rosedale, Pace, Skeen, Boyle, Merigold and cleveland…as sharecroppers my family would move from plantation to plantation all over Boliver County thus explaining the number of schools. Even as a child I could feel the Delta, that spirit, that indescibable thing that wraps itself around you like a second skin you, FEEL it! I can remember standing in the yard of a shotgun house that we lived in on the Waldon plantation. Just out of Rosedale near Pace, and just standing there FEELING the Delta. I was only five at the time, so there was noway I could articulate what I felt. I am know fiftysix years old and still cant articulate it, but I know it is there! I dont know if it’s the air,or that muddy water, or that rich aluvian soil maybe all three, but the veil between the physical and the spiritual gets thinner the longer your there. That is the Delta.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Thanks to Charles -your post is really illuminating. I’m an Australian who loves blues music though it is totally alien to the my experience. I’m currently travelling in the South and drove through Rosedale today and felt weirdly ambivalent about the delta in general and Rosedale in particular. Asked a local young guy about the crossroads location -he genuinely had no idea (probably could have answered anything about rap?)-Main St Rosedale has effectively closed for business as has Gunnison (mentioned above). 46% population below the poverty level and so many communities looking like they are dying. I felt a haunting melancholy -as if the area is crushed by the weight of its own history but at the same time I got just a glimmer of what Charles describes.
We are so globalised and this authentic local connection gets lost in the mix of TacoBells/Exxon gas stations/Walmarts…….
December 29th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
ive gave up on god im tired of all the hurt and unanswered questions. satan will be my god. i just want to be happy. ive beggd god pretty much ever since my son passd, to just send me a sign! but he want. no help. no guidance. SATAN is my last resort and has givn me signs hes there. and if he can make me happy once again, i will write myself off 2 him.
SATAN YOU ARE MY FATHER HELP ME
January 17th, 2010 at 2:06 am
Has anyone ever noticed an odd parallel between two very popular men who started new directions of their music? Elvis Presley and Robert Johnson.
Robert Johnson, a black man who became a great guitarist. Elvis Presley; a white man who was said to have a black man’s voice in a white man’s body. They both died the same day, but different years!!!! Creepy…….
RJ- August 16, 1938
EP- August 16, 1977
39 years difference between the years of their deaths…RJ was 27, Elvis was 42. They were only 15 years apart in age when they died.
March 12th, 2010 at 6:15 am
@Van the devil was not always thought to be evil. In Ezekiel it is actually said that Lucifer was one of God’s most trusted angels. I’m not saying anything bad about your comment nor trying to disprove it. I am just saying, the devil was not thought to be evil since day one as you stated. Sorry, I’m Bah’ai and we revere to all religious texts as holy, so I read the Bible often(as well as the Upanishads, Torah, Qur’an, and just about every other holy book).lol
As for the whole selling your soul to the devil, don’t waste your time. There can only be one Robert Johnson.
March 31st, 2010 at 7:21 am
Ol Robert died at the age of 27. He sold his soul at the crossroads of highway 8 and highway 1. In numerology they both equal 9. 2+7=9 8+1=9. 9 Represent the three divine manifestations in the three plans: world of the spirit, world of the soul, world of the matter, which gives a triple manifestations of Trinity (3 x 3).
June 18th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Good story, Not true sorry to all the satan fans. Robert was an awesome guitar player who had really long fingers allowing him to perform all kinds of hard to reach chords most guitarists can’t reach. His skill was reached as a way out of phisical working and more than likley his way of overcoming his social limitations. I agree to listen to him play and sing is unbelievable and still sends chills down my spine. Remember Hellhound on my trail he makes many references to Christmas eve and Christmas day and having a good time. Not words of someone who “sold their sole”…Good story. Enjoy RJ
June 25th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
how could someone say that this man didn’t sell his soul to the devil when he stated it in one of his songs that he sold his soul to the devil. And I’m from this place and still live in this city where he sold his soul Clarksdale MS. So you need to listen to the information before you post something
July 19th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Guys he created a racket unheard of that the audience got mad because of the noise he was making, he can’t just become legendary overnight
August 6th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
@54
Because he is referring to the spirit Ellegua not to the devil of Christianity.
That it happened at the crossroads makes it clear that it is a voodoo or African religion thing, it has nothing to do with satanism.
August 19th, 2010 at 2:13 am
Didn’t happen in Clarksdale.
September 26th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Repent to Jesus, will get your soul back if you sold it. Satan is a LIAR your soul was never Satans to own.
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I can tell you for a fact that the crossroads were not at Hwy 1 and Hwy 8.. There has never been any crossroads at that intersection. Hwy 8 dead ends into Hwy 1. There is a road across the Hwy and about 50ft South of that intersection that leads to the Great River Road State Park. It wasn’t there until the mid 70′s though. There is also no place you can see the river from the levee. The river is still 1/2 mile from the levee in most cases unless you go about 3 miles North of Rosedale but even there you can’t see the river. Sorry to kill this but the facts don’t support it at all.
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
People are probably closer to the truth in Clarksdale. Why would he write about going DOWN to Rosedale if he is South of the town? I lived there many years. Someone drives through Rosedale and talks to a waitress at a restaurant and then writes a story without getting the facts straight. Do us all a favor and write about something that you have actually researched. That town has never been about the blues. Fishing, farming, and corn whiskey is the history of that town.
October 24th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Goin down to Rosedale can mean following the river down, it doesn’t have to be a literal translation of north and south.
Regarding the selling of your soul, well that is not so easy to do. Generally Satan ain’t gonna broker the deal, as he has a hard time manifesting his soul on the physical plain, rather he uses representatives who take care of all the details and paperwork. You will be sworn to secrecy, and if you reveal the ritual of the Order they will rip out your tongue, for a start…
There is plenty of commonality regarding the fortunes of many celebrities of yesterday and today, they belong to an Ancient Order of Scottish Rite if you need a hint. You can join them if you know two members who already belong, and then you can work out a deal for your soul after you pass the initiation. Note that most members of this Order have no idea who they serve, they are in it for the fraternity. But there are those who do know what is at their essence. They cannot simply leave this Order, they are members for Life. It would be easier to leave the Crips at 18. It would be easier to have a tattoo removed from your face.
Be wary those looking for fame and fortune, the Crossroads may come to you.
October 25th, 2010 at 8:50 am
im a northern boy from michigan and i heard of robert johnson when i was fishing with my buddy and his dad,
he popped in the tape and said listen to this guy, it was said that he sold his soul to the devil to become musically talented at the guitar.
when i heard his music right away i thought, wow,
(and became instantly hooked) this guy is special, even his voice the sadness in his soul told the story.
my whole family is religous, but i must be the black sheep, i just dont have that faith. im not saying im right, i just dont know what to believe, but im sure as “hell” i wouldnt sell my soul to the devil.
i just wish i could go back and time and witnessed this deal between robert and this devil man…
it sounds so intense. so cold. this world has so many mysteries that could all be bullshit, but sometimes you should just have the faith…
i dont know.
December 9th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
aparantly after he made the deal and it was close to when his time was up he was seeing things and then went missing later found he dead looked like he had been riped up by a hellhound or sunthing x
December 27th, 2010 at 5:18 am
To all of you people saying you want to sell your souls to the Devil,Here is something that you can try that you will get a responds to,Try giving your heart to God,Ask him to come into your heart,And tell him that you believe jesus died for us, and I promise you that he will be ther for you,That is unless your afraid to ask God,if you haven t gotton a response from satin maybe its because he already know your souls already his!!!!!!You want to play with the Devil,Give him a reason to make a deal with you.Hopefully you will understand how much God loves you.
January 14th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
IF HE DID SELL HIS SOUL. HE SOLD SOMETHING THAT DIDN’T BELONG TO HIM BECAUSE YOUR SOUL BELONGS TO GOD OR GODS WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE IN.
January 19th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
adora your comment makes no sense. you say “IF HE DID SELL HIS SOUL. HE SOLD SOMETHING THAT DIDN’T BELONG TO HIM BECAUSE YOUR SOUL BELONGS TO GOD OR GODS” ok that right there makes no sense at all. its not one or the other it can only be one if we go on the fact that you are talking about the devil. only religions that acknowledge the devil would be those that believe in a sole god because who is satan and where did he come from ah dah – god.
now lets look at your next statement “WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE IN.” going by your thought process which isnt even logical no matter what side your on, this once again isnt helping what your trying to say. so if one believes that their soul is theirs (and you’ve stated its whatever one believes in) then they do infact have the right to sell it.
so adora as we can all see -because you posted it on the internet for the whole world to see- you are not very bright and are 1. trying so hard either to be politically correct and not offend anyone (thats the only reason i can see giving a choice that just isnt there) 2. you spew out things without thinking them through and thats never encouraged. 3. you actually have some kind of medical reason or mental i dont know that keeps you from having any common sense, well whatever it is- that have just wasted a little bit of everybody time by posting your thoughts that have no merit.
please do not try and teach anybody about god because you will lead them astray and you will be responsible for their eternal demise.
February 16th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
hi guys satan is real but his wishes iant real he is a lair please dont try to sell ur soul
And his real name is eblees in arabic in quraan
satan wants u all to go to hell
Because when allah create adam allah makes all angels to bow to adam and satan refuse saying that how can he do that cuz humen made of sand and demons from fire so he dared allah sayin that he will make us not obyin allah
And for who sayin u sold ur sold to satan u didnt and talk to me on: hamoud_wwe@yahoo
February 25th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@59. Yeah that’s true now, but when RJ was alive it was a dirt road that extended way past highway 1. Some of the old roads were paved over but some were let go and thus…grew into the landscape.
April 8th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
God will not answer everyone’s prayers.
And people aren’t allow to have other options, as they’re be evil or ‘false deity’. And praying to them will meant going to hell and get burn.
God says he let people have free-will but when people hoped for a certain thing in life, he doesn’t give, is that still free-will? He don’t give having the reason it may not be the best for them or is against his wish, so can I say that God, actually wants us to follow what he had planned/expects? Is this still call “free-will”?
To me it sounds like, “you’re free to go now, but you cannot leave this house.”
If I were to sell my soul away, ever, it would be because I know following God would meant that I can NVR achieve somethings in life.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:53 am
First of all it is an INTERESTING STORY. BUTTTT some of you guys get your head out of your asses with this selling soul BS! Wake TFU!.. you’re cursing yourselves!!! seems like youre already his with that thought, just waiting to be damned because some of yous ARE DAMNED!!!
NO FAME..NO FORTUNE will last on this earth!!! Look at the sign of the times and how mankind is destroying himself! The world is devasted with natural disasters. WATCH THE FRIGGIN’ NEWS and there you will find the works of ‘your’ god (satan). Theres enough destruction and death here and yet here you guys want to come along for more of ???. I guess you can’t get enought hell than what is around you in this world already! and by the time you get what ya really wished for your days are numbered!!!Thats if you rely on the Fiend. SO if you surely want to sell your soul to the Fiend you are basically numbering your days. JUST REMEMBER YOUR ENJOYMENT WILL NOT HAVE ETERNITY IN IT. If it holds true that RJ sold his soul to the devil? then he took him early (27). The guy died young and not old. How much of his life to he really get to enjoy then??? Wow, seems like alot of you screwheads like want to be damned. WTF, he is THE enemy. he is the FATHER OF LIES and MASTER OF DECEIT. Just by reading some of this stuff, you guys need to mental help!
April 26th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Very interesting story and another devilish distraction! You don’t need to sell the devil your soul, because if you haven’t given your life to Christ, the devil has you anyway!! Check Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. The implication is, that he will give you the desiress of your heart either right or wrong! But for the good news check Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. So don’t get hung up on the devil. Choose Chist and chose life. He can make you a blues player or whatever He wants you to be, that will be way better than anything you could ask or think!!
May 7th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Robert gave us some good music I’m a bluesman too that’s all that matters he was good the best all the rest is crap remember the man for the gift of music he gave us that’s what matters its what Robert would say carry on the blues
June 7th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
I grew up in the Delta. My family was sharecroppers. I lived or went to school in Gunnison, Rosedale, Pace, Skene, Boyle, Cleveland and Merigold, and I can tell you from experience there is something that hangs over the Delta like an ether. I can remember as a small child standing in the front yard of a shotgun house we lived in just out side of Rosedale and feeling it, and at that time I had never heard of Robert Johnson or the blues as my family is white, and the only music I was exposed to at that point was country and gospel. I remember riding in a Studebaker with my oldest brother on Bogue Rd. at night with a bright full moon, and looking out across a cotton field, and having a strange and mystical feeling just wash over me. I don’t know what it is, but I defy anyone to go there, go out in the country at night, get out and just stand there for a while. You will feel it!
June 25th, 2011 at 2:34 am
i want to make a deal with the devil, i ask to be a famous rapper with a record deal along with a 64 million dollars and money keep comming to me fortune and fame good health long life, Respect from men and woman to like me as soon as they hear or see me. Come to me devil tonight in a dream to make the deal.
July 10th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
im gonna sell my soul when im just about old as dead, the ultimate sacrifiece for guitar, so u be ready for me devil
October 16th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Why is noone discussing the fact that Robert Johnson took guitar lessons from Ike Zimmerman? But I suppose it’s not so exiting when anybody learns anything in school (or by lessons) comapre to sell the soul to the devil.
November 30th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
why would you want to sell your souls for a few years on earth and have fame for a little while but then suffer for eternity which is never going to end??? the Lord says what is a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? you will be NOTHING!
December 9th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
IT’S WORTH IT TO SELL YOUR SOUL. HAVE EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED. I DID IT AND NEVER WILL I REGRET IT.
December 31st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Seriously I’m not contradicting anyone who either loves Satan or god, but I think everyone has a right to believe in what they want to. Religious beliefs go from Christ to Allah to Satan and even budda, and no one can tell someone that they can’t believe in them. Personally I’m still on the fence about god, heaven and hell, and to ne selling your soul to the devil sounds dodgy, so I wouldn’t do it. But that said…everyone believes in what they want to
January 6th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Some people say the devil sold his soul to Robert Johnson so he could play the guitar like him
January 10th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
i need you help with selling my soul to the devil and how i may find him
January 12th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
i wanna sell my soul for riches and all that good stuff that comes too. i need money
January 12th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
i wanna sell my soul for money and riches