John the Revelator
Dirty Dozen Brass Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Wrote the book of the seven seals

Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)
Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)
Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)

He wrote the book of the seven seals

(O yes, tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
(Tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
(Tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
Wrote the book of the seven seals

Look, God walked down the hill one day
Called Adam by his dame
And Adam wouldn't answer
'cause he was naked and ashamed

(Tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
(Tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
(Tell me who's that writin') John the Revelator
Wrote the book of the seven seals

You know Christ (Christ) had twelve apostels (spirit willing)
Three he layed away (O but the flesh was weak)
He said watch me while I walked (Ooh)
While I go out and prey

Listen

Well Christ rose on Easter morning (Hallelujah)
Mary mother came down to see (the resurrection)
He said Go and tell my disciples (Ooh)
To meet me in Galilee

Yes

Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)
Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)
Who's that writin' (John the Revelator)
Wrote the book of the seven seals
He wrote the book of the seven seals (Ooh)
Yeah, yes he did

Tell me why I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
Tell me why I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
Tell me why I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
(wrote the book of the seven seals)

Tell me what I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
Tell me what I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
Tell me what I'm shouting (John the Revelator)
(wrote the book of the seven seals)

(The revelation of Jesus) You know I thought I was a policeman
(The revelation of Jesus) An officer of the law
(The revelation of Jesus) But then I had a revelation
(The revelation of Jesus) Because of what I saw
(The revelation of Jesus) The air was always so gloomy
(The revelation of Jesus) Every day was dull and grey
(The revelation of Jesus) But now I see very clearly
(The revelation of Jesus) O, o, o, o happy day
(The revelation of Jesus) Jesus

(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) My God my God
(Jesus) Jesus
(Jesus) Jesus
(The revelation of Jesus)
My my my my my my
(Jesus) My my my my
(Jesus) My my my my my my my my
(Jesus) My my my my my God
(Jesus) Yeah yeah
(Jesus) My my my my my God

(The revelation of Jesus) O
John the Revelator

Overall Meaning

The song "John the Revelator" by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a gospel-style blues tune that pays homage to the biblical figure who wrote the Book of Revelation. Throughout the song, there is a call-and-response pattern between the lead and backing vocals. The lead vocals ask, "Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator?" and the backing vocals respond with "He wrote the book of the seven seals."

The lyrics of the song reference several biblical stories, including the creation story of Adam and Eve, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Revelation. The song seems to suggest that John the Revelator was a messenger of God who recorded divine revelations that were meant to be shared with the world. The repeated refrain of "Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator" highlights the importance of his writings and the role that he played in spreading God's message.

Overall, "John the Revelator" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that celebrates the figure of John the Revelator and his contributions to the Christian faith.

Line by Line Meaning

Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Asking for the identity of the writer of the book of the seven seals - John the Revelator.

Wrote the book of the seven seals
Referring to the author of the book of the seven seals.

Called Adam by his dame, And Adam wouldn't answer, 'cause he was naked and ashamed
God called out to Adam and Eve, but Adam didn't answer because he was embarrassed about being naked.

He said watch me while I walked (Ooh), While I go out and prey
Christ asked his apostles to keep watch while he went to pray.

Mary mother came down to see (the resurrection), He said Go and tell my disciples (Ooh), To meet me in Galilee
After rising from the dead, Christ instructed Mary to tell his disciples to meet him in Galilee.

He wrote the book of the seven seals (Ooh), Yeah, yes he did
Affirming that John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals.

Tell me why I'm shouting (John the Revelator), (wrote the book of the seven seals)
Questioning why one is shouting about John the Revelator, who is known for writing the book of the seven seals.

(The revelation of Jesus) You know I thought I was a policeman, (The revelation of Jesus) An officer of the law, (The revelation of Jesus) But then I had a revelation, (The revelation of Jesus) Because of what I saw, (The revelation of Jesus) The air was always so gloomy, (The revelation of Jesus) Every day was dull and grey, (The revelation of Jesus) But now I see very clearly, (The revelation of Jesus) O, o, o, o happy day
Describing a personal revelation - realizing that life was dark and gloomy, but now they have a newfound joy since discovering the revelation of Jesus.

(Jesus) Jesus, My God my God
Exclaiming awe and devotion towards Jesus Christ.

(The revelation of Jesus) O, John the Revelator
Associating the song's narrative of personal revelation with the book of the seven seals, which was written by John the Revelator.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARTIN LEE GORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS