JUDGEMENT DAY
Charles L. Johnson Lyrics
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If I had possession, over judgment day
Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes would see
Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long
Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
(spoken: I didn't like the way she done)
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day one"
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me
The song "Judgment Day" by Charles L. Johnson reflects the painful emotions of a man who has lost the woman he loves to another man. In the opening lines of the song, the singer confesses that he wishes he had possession over the judgment day, and that his lover would not have any right to pray. The regretful words show the singer's desperation to control the situation and prevent his lover from leaving him. This wish of eternal judgment and authority over his lover's life becomes even more apparent when the singer sings about going to the mountain to look as far as his eyes could see.
The following verse paints a picture of a hopeless and lonely man, who has lost his love to someone else. He describes rolling, tumbling, and crying through the whole night long. The sorrowful music and lyrics convey the singer's desperation and deep heartache. In the end, the singer walked away, thinking that his trouble would come some day one. The song portrays the singer's sadness and disappointment in a beautiful, melancholic way, making it an exemplary blues classic.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had possession, over judgment day
If I had control over decision-making when it comes to determining right from wrong
Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray
I would be so powerful that the woman I love would have no say in her own spirituality
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see
I ventured to a high point to see as far as possible
Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me
Another man stole my woman and now I feel deeply sad
And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long
I was in such emotional pain that I physically tossed and turned and cried throughout the whole night
Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone
I woke up to find something important and valuable to me was missing
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
I had to physically leave the situation and let it go
I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day one"
I realized that eventually the person who caused me pain will also face consequences
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
Come over here and sit on my lap
I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me
I want to explain the unfair treatment that I have received
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON, WOODY PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind