In March of 1965, Dr. C.J. Johnson recorded an original song, “I Want to Go… Read Full Bio ↴In March of 1965, Dr. C.J. Johnson recorded an original song, “I Want to Go Where Jesus Is,” for Savoy Records. Sung a cappella and with thunderous enthusiasm by a jubilant congregation, the sound was so raw and primitive that one might have assumed it was recorded forty years prior by Alan Lomax and came straight from the Library of Congress archives. The composition itself sounded as if it was from the pages of Kentucky Harmony. But sure enough, it was recorded at the same time as other Savoy gospel hits of the day, by artists such as Alex Bradford, the Caravans, the Roberta Martin Singers and James Cleveland.

A succession of singles and albums established Dr. C.J. Johnson as one of the country’s foremost hymnologists. His recordings were at once anachronistic and refreshing at a time when gospel music focused squarely on hard-singing leads and heavy instrumental backing. Dr. Johnson’s commitment to the old time sound – straight congregational singing with occasional slaps of the tambourine – earned him an invitation to sing at the White House on three separate occasions.

Wish You Were Here
C.J. Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wish you were here
With your diamonds
Wish you were here
With your pretty dress

Wish you were here
My heart starts crying
Wish you were here

But you're so far away

It's hard to live
This life without you
It's hard to live
From day to day

Wish you were here
No more crying
Wish you were here
But you're so far away

Wish you were here
There'd be no more crying
Wish you were here

But you're so far away
So far away

Overall Meaning

The song ‘Wish You Were Here’ by C.J. Johnson, is a melancholic piece about missing someone who is no longer present. The singer expresses his longing for a person who was once a big part of his life. The repeated lines “Wish you were here” emphasize the singer’s sense of emptiness and sadness since the person is no longer around.

The first verse mentions wanting the person to be there with their “diamonds” and “pretty dress”, which suggests that this person was important and glamorous. The second verse puts the emotions of the singer in perspective, as he confesses how hard it is to live life without this person. His days have become a struggle without them, and they are sorely missed. The chorus repeats the wish for the person to return, with the line “no more crying” hinting at the sadness that the singer is feeling.

The final chorus reiterates how far away the person is and how desperately the singer wishes for them to return. Throughout the song, the performer’s vocals are heartfelt, and the lyrics express a relatable feeling of longing for someone who is out of reach. The song’s universal subject matter and Johnson’s impassioned delivery create an emotional resonance that makes it an affecting and memorable tune.

Line by Line Meaning

Wish you were here
I deeply desire your presence

With your diamonds
I long for your luxurious possessions

Wish you were here
I ache for you to be by my side

With your pretty dress
I yearn for your elegance and beauty

Wish you were here
My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow without you

But you're so far away
You are geographically distant from me

It's hard to live
My existence is challenging

This life without you
My life lacks fulfillment in your absence

From day to day
Every moment feels unbearable

Wish you were here
I desire to have you in my life

No more crying
I want to stop shedding tears for you