During the spring of 1968, Cream came to America for their second US tour; after their first concert in Santa Monica on March 23, they played a string of dates at the Winterland Auditorium in San Francisco (Feb 29, and March 1, 2, 8, 9, 10 (all dates with two shows), with two dates at the Fillmore West on March 3 and 7 (both dates with two shows as well). It was during the first set of the March 10 show that Cream recorded "Crossroads". Arranged by guitarist Eric Clapton, the Cream version had a faster tempo than the original, and included two lines borrowed from Johnson's "Traveling Riverside Blues."
Unlike Cream's usual arrangement with bassist Jack Bruce singing, guitarist Eric Clapton took the vocals on this recording. Clapton's explosive guitar solos cemented his reputation as a guitar legend; his work from the track was named by one critic the greatest live rock solo ever. Bruce's fluid bass playing, blurring the line between rhythm and melody, has been similarly honored as the second-best live bass performance.
It was placed at #409 on the 2004 List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and #3 on the 2008 RS Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time lists.
Crossroads
Cream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to the crossroads fell down on my knees
Asked the lord above for mercy, "take me, if you please"
I went down to the crossroads tried to flag a ride
Down to the crossroads tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
Well, I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
You can run, you can run tell my friend boy Willie Brown
Run, you can run tell my friend boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads believe I'm sinking down
Thank you, Eric Clapton lead, uh vocal
The song Crossroads by Cream is a blues classic that speaks about going to the crossroads, a mythical place where blues musicians were rumored to have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for their extraordinary musical gifts. The lyrics describe the singer's journey to the crossroads in search of divine salvation. The first stanza describes the singer's plea to the lord for mercy, possibly in reference to the biblical story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. The second stanza speaks of the singer's difficulty in finding a ride, representing the struggles of life.
The singer then declares his intention to go to Rosedale with his partner, where they can continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of barrelhouse music by the riverside. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the idea of faith and reliance on the divine for guidance. The final stanza, however, adds a darker note to the song, as the singer feels that he is sinking down and tells his friend Willie Brown that he is standing at the crossroads.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as an allegory for the human struggle to achieve salvation and redemption from sin. The crossroads represent the turning point in one's life where one must make a difficult decision that can lead to either salvation or damnation.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
I traveled to the crossroads and dropped to my knees
Down to the crossroads fell down on my knees
I made it to the crossroads and kneeled to the ground
Asked the lord above for mercy, "take me, if you please"
I pleaded with a higher power to take me and show me mercy
I went down to the crossroads tried to flag a ride
I ventured to the crossroads and attempted to hitchhike
Down to the crossroads tried to flag a ride
I went to the crossroads and tried to signal for a ride
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
No one recognized me and everyone ignored me
Well, I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I'm headed to Rosedale with my companion by my side
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I'm going to Rosedale with my partner by my side
We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
We can still have a wild party by the river
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I'm going to Rosedale with my companion by my side
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I'm headed to Rosedale with my partner by my side
We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
We can still have a wild party by the river
You can run, you can run tell my friend boy Willie Brown
If you see my friend Willie Brown, tell him he can run
Run, you can run tell my friend boy Willie Brown
Inform my friend Willie Brown he can escape
And I'm standing at the crossroads believe I'm sinking down
I'm at the crossroads and sense my life is spiraling down
Thank you, Eric Clapton lead, uh vocal
Appreciation expressed to Eric Clapton for his contribution to the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apleasantsymmetry
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy
"Save me if you please"
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
I went down to the crossroads
Tried to flag a ride
Nobody seemed to know me
Everybody passed me by
I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
I'm going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
On the riverside
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
Believe I'm sinking down
@TheRealForrestGeorge
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by.
Well I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
Going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.*
Run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.*
And I'm staying at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down.
I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, save poor Bob, if you please."
Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy, dark gon' catch me here
oooo, ooee, eee boy, dark gon' catch me here
I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that love and feel my care
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.
You can run, tell my friend-boy, Willie Brown.
Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe, I believe I'm sinking down.
@terrybane6206
Note to grand kids: THIS is why paw paw can't hear anymore.
@hokeypokeyalso1783
Exactly! 😎
@Scoodlee
Why do Americans say paw paw lol to Australians that's lip balm
@pf6875
@@Scoodlee it's funny you think it's the stranger of the two
@Scoodlee
@@pf6875 it's funny that I don't give a fuck ya knob
@mattlaflamme1162
Best comment I've read in a long while.
@kenneth-pc7mf
I was 15 years ild when this song was released.I am 70 now and I still rock out to it.
The 1960s was a great decade for music.
@gloriapascoe2614
From Australia 🇦🇺 just a bit older. We lived in a brilliant era of 🎉music . Melody is lacking and creativity not the same. Today you can hear a great voice but don't remember it because there is no melody
@user-jy2cn3cn4t
@gloriapascoe2614 ,you are 100% correct, my Aussie friend.❤😊
@cantankerish9399
Ur wrong bruh it was the 70s stupid old man