It's Nobody's Fault but Mine
Blind Willie Johnson Lyrics
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Nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
I have a bible in my home,
I have a bible in my home
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Father he taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Ah, I have a bible of my own,
I have a bible of my own
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Oh, mother she taught me how to read,
Mother she taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
And sister she taught me how to read,
Sister she taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, mmm, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul'd be lost, mmm
Blind Willie Johnson's song "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine" is a spiritual blues song that offers a powerful message about personal accountability and responsibility. The lyrics suggest that salvation is possible through the reading of the Bible, but it is ultimately up to the individual to take ownership of their spiritual path. In the first verse, Johnson sings "If I don't read it my soul be lost," emphasizing the importance of taking action in one's own life. He acknowledges that he has the resources available, such as a Bible in his home and family members who have taught him to read, but it is ultimately his responsibility to make use of them.
The chorus, "Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine," further emphasizes this theme of individual responsibility. Johnson takes ownership of his situation and refuses to blame outside forces for the potential loss of his soul. Through personal accountability and the action of reading the Bible, he is taking the necessary steps towards salvation. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song serves as a reminder of this message.
Overall, "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine" is a powerful testament to the importance of personal responsibility and taking action in one's own life. The lyrics suggest that while others may offer guidance and resources, it is up to the individual to take ownership of their journey towards salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody's fault but mine,
It's not anyone else's fault, but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
It's not anyone else's fault, but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
I have a bible in my home,
I have a Bible in my house
I have a bible in my home
I have a Bible in my house
If I don't read it my soul be lost
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
Mmm, father he taught me how to read,
My father taught me how to read
Father he taught me how to read
My father taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul, and it's not anyone else's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
It's not anyone else's fault, but mine, Oh Lord
If I don't read it my soul be lost
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
Ah, I have a bible of my own,
I have my own Bible
I have a bible of my own
I have my own Bible
If I don't read it my soul be lost
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
Oh, mother she taught me how to read,
My mother taught me how to read
Mother she taught me how to read
My mother taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul, and it's not anyone else's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
It's not anyone else's fault, but mine, Oh Lord
If I don't read it my soul be lost
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
And sister she taught me how to read,
My sister taught me how to read
Sister she taught me how to read
My sister taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul, and it's not anyone else's fault but mine
Ah, mmm, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
It's not anyone else's fault, but mine, Oh Lord
If I don't read it my soul'd be lost, mmm
If I don't read the Bible, I will lose my soul
Lyrics © ALPHA MUSIC, INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Blind Willie Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DeepBlue2107
Nobody's fault but mine,
Nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
I have a bible in my home,
I have a bible in my home
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Mmm, father he taught me how to read,
Father he taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Ah, I have a bible of my own,
I have a bible of my own
If I don't read it my soul be lost
Oh, mother she taught me how to read,
Mother she taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul be lost
And sister she taught me how to read,
Sister she taught me how to read
If I don't read it my soul be lost, nobody's fault but mine
Ah, mmm, Lord, Lord, nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read it my soul'd be lost, mmm.
@edward2359
MR. Sherman1030
Believe when I say that some of us do know The Name BLIND WILLIE JOHNSON!
My family is mixed... and came from TX to California in 1706. I started playing guitar at 8 and had a strong connection to the blues and didn't know why. Later in life I lost half my vision, but gained a strong connection to GOD and started studying the bible..... A lot!.
I grew up with the nick name Willie, and I know what it means to have life turn upside down way too many times for a single life time.
My grandmother is named Johnson.... and I'm partly African and I come from multiple tribes... I'm partly the White man, and many others like the Native Mexican. Yes its true, People have stole WILLIE's style..... ALL THE WAY DOWN TO LED ZEPPELIN and many more.... but a lot of us know and people like me are not quite about it!
So he wont be forgotten.
@mrsherman1030
This is my great grandfather. He died poor in Beaumont Tx. Love his music. All of the blue acts of and after his time. Stole his style. He doesn't get the credit he deserved. We will always keep your legacy alive.
@CoolDudeMusic
mrsherman1030 that’s awesome. Thanks for your comment!
@seanstewart8773
Why you lying?
@jeffmoore9487
Do you think about what times were like when he and others were making this music up? We all maybe think our lives as kinda normal but "normal" then is another world for us. Guys like him have influenced everything we hear but long after they gone. What would they think? When do you think he might have recorded this?
@matthewbulls1375
mrsherman1030 Hey man, if you are his great grandson I would love to get together and talk about your ggf. I grew up in the area of Pendleton, where he was born and have been fascinated by him and his music most of my life.
@mrsherman1030
Im not into making false claims. I come from a very historical Famiy. I don't mind speaking about him. Or any of my hall of fame relatives. Mr Johnson has a late grandson. Who was honored by the city of waco. My uncle Ray Charles Johnsons.
@touchtoomuch1000
If ever a man had the right to sing the blues, it was Blind Willie Johnson.
@Frankincensedjb123
Why? Explain
@touchtoomuch1000
@Frankincensed He went blind when he was a young boy, he lived through the Spanish flu, he was black during segregation, he made hardly any money off of his recordings, his house was gutted by fire and he died alone in its burned out shell.
@mapperdesintra5944
@touchtoomuch1000 What's wrong with being black?