"John t… Read Full Bio ↴more on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Revelator_(song)
"John the Revelator" has been called "one of the most powerful songs in all of pre-war acoustic music ... [which] has been hugely influential to blues performers".
Blind Willie Johnson recorded "John the Revelator" during his fifth and final recording session for Columbia Records in Atlanta, Georgia on April 20, 1930.
Accompanying Johnson on vocal and guitar is Willie B. Harris (sometimes identified as his first wife), who sings the response parts of the song. Their vocals add a "sense of dread and foreboding" to the song, along with the chorus line "Who's that a writin', John the Revelator" "repeated like a mantra".
Subsequently a variety of artists have recorded their renditions of the song, often with variations in the verses and music.
The song's title refers to the early Christian, John, the author of the Book of Revelation, and quotes several passages from the Bible in the tradition of African-American spirituals. Traditionally, this author has been considered the same person as John the Apostle and John the Evangelist, although some modern scholars attribute the book to another person, referred to as John of Patmos.
John the Revelator
Blind Willie Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Tell me what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
Now who art worthy, crucified and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judea's Lion
He redeemed us, Jesus bought us with
His blood
Now tell me who's that a writing? John The
Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well Moses to Moses, Watching 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
Now tell me who's that a writing? John The
Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Blind Willie Johnson's "John The Revelator" is a gospel-blues song that focuses on the biblical figure John the Revelator and his book of the seven seals. The lyric repeats the questions "Who's that a writing?" and "What's John a writing?" as the singer seeks to understand the nature of John's writings. The repeated lines emphasize the mystery and importance of John's work, and the fact that it is a book of the seven seals adds to its mystical power.
The second verse refers to Jesus' crucifixion and redemption, describing him as "worthy, crucified, and holy." The use of "Daughter of Zion" and "Judea's Lion" harkens back to Old Testament prophesies about Jesus. The verse ends with the assertion that Jesus "bought us with his blood," a reference to the Christian belief in his sacrifice on the cross.
The final verse alludes to the story of Moses and the burning bush, emphasizing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. Moses is described as a shepherd, and God chooses him from among his flock. This imagery of being chosen by God recurs throughout the song, further emphasizing the power and importance of divine revelation.
Line by Line Meaning
Well who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Asking about the identity of the person writing the book of the seven seals, indicating its importance and divine nature
Tell me what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
Seeking information about the content of the book, emphasizing the need to learn and understand its message
Now who art worthy, crucified and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judea's Lion
He redeemed us, Jesus bought us with
His blood
Praising and referring to Jesus Christ who suffered and died for our sins, emphasizing his redemption through his sacrifice
Now tell me who's that a writing? John The
Revelator
Repeating the importance of the writer and the book's divine nature, highlighting its significance as a source of religious knowledge
Well Moses to Moses, Watching 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
Referencing the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush, emphasizing the role of chosen individuals in delivering a message from God
Well what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
Reiterating the need for understanding of the book's content, highlighting the importance of seeking knowledge and religious guidance
Lyrics © ALPHA MUSIC, INC.
Written by: WILLIE JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@branislavpuletic355
Well who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Tell me what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Now who art worthy, crucified and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judea's Lion
He redeemed us, Jesus bought us with
His blood
Now tell me who's that a writing? John The
Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well Moses to Moses, Watching 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
Now tell me who's that a writing? John The
Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
Well what's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals
@davidsatterwhite5812
The best version of John the Revelator . The haunting sound reminds one of the angels singing
@susanrita1
His intense suffering, giftedness, and spirituality combine to make this a masterpiece. You know that Blind Willie's music has been sent out into space, one of the representations of world culture to other beings and galaxies. Someday here on earth had the good taste to include it...
@brettldouglas
The contrast of their voices is amazing.
@thibaux561
The honesty and realness of the lead vocal makes me weep.
@michaelbyrne8860
Never heard of this version of John the Revelator! Like it! Mr. Johnson was born exactly 59 years before me to the very date!
@DG-gu9je
It's one of many on the folkways anthology of american folk music --
@gregusmc2868
Absolutely haunting and apocalyptic. BWJ—one of the GIANTS of the blues. 🫡❤️
@DucksDeLucks
Dear Willie, you died penniless of pneumonia many decades ago after writing all these great songs, but in 2013 there are five people who dislike you. Have a heart anyone??
@1blastman
I think this is the first and still my favorite recorded version of this song. BWJ is hypnotic, the call and response is brilliant, so simple, yet so powerful. This man was a vocal genius. .
@maniswolftoman
He has an incredible sense of theatrics, his verse sections here are almost like recitative or Byrne’s spoken word verses on Once in a Lifetime.
He understands intrinsically these universal elements in music that are captivating to all listeners of any type of music.