Crossroads
Cream Lyrics
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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
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 © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theloniouscoltrane3778
2019
2024 (edit)
A lot of guitar players
would always choose Jimi over Eric...majority do that...
but personally Eric is
more melodic...
more articulate...
cleaner sound...
Both are great; but to each his own.
And EC is now pushing 80! Legend
@mrmott44
“ We were a jazz band. We just didn’t tell Eric “ — Jack Bruce
@ruiplas
“Eric played blues through jazz” - Ginger baker
@98mquinn
Love it
@SamiKrasniqi
Nice one!
@user-fe7mu9cc9r
Ha ha, I don't think Eric is that naive
@eightinches3671
Ginger Baker also said something to that effect in an interview, that they were a jazz band but Clapton never realized it 😆😆
@mickdevlin
Jack Bruce's playing is absolutely superb. RIP old boy.
@ObscureDiamond
You may hear this song a million times by clapton or the others but it will never sound right without the three of them.
@nickrobinson7283
I agree with you but surprisingly Skynyrd did a pretty fine rendition.
@keep_it_tidy56
And Rush, can’t touch Cream’s version from ‘68, but still pretty damn good