Crossroads
Eric Clapton feat. Mark Knopfler Lyrics
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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 went down to the crossroads
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Ask the Lord above for mercy
Save me if you please
I am going down to Rosedale
Taking my rider by my side
I am going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
They call us on the riverside
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I believe I'm sinking down
The lyrics of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck's song Crossroads describe a protagonist who has gone to a crossroad, trying to get a ride. Nobody seems to know who he is, and everyone ignores him. The persona falls on his knees and asks the Lord above for mercy, to save him. He then decides to go down to Rosedale, taking his rider with him. He is a bluesman, and they are still barrel-housing, even though they are by the riverside. Despite his efforts, he cannot outrun his problems, and he is sinking down as he stands at the crossroads.
The crossroads in this song likely refer to the intersection of Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, which is considered by many to be the place where the blues was born. The crossroads became a legendary spot in the blues world because of the story of Robert Johnson, who was said to have sold his soul to the devil there in exchange for unsurpassed guitar skills. The lyrics of the song echo this legend and suggest that the singer is at a critical juncture in his life, seeking salvation or a way out of his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads
I traveled to a place where paths diverge
Tried to flag a ride
I attempted to catch a ride from someone passing by
Nobody seemed to know me
No one recognized or acknowledged me
Everybody passed me by
Everyone ignored me and continued on their way
Fell down on my knees
I dropped to the ground on my knees
Ask the Lord above for mercy
I pleaded with God for forgiveness and compassion
Save me if you please
I begged to be rescued from my troubled situation
Taking my rider by my side
I am accompanied by my companion as we continue our journey
You can still barrelhouse, baby
We can still have a good time and play music together
They call us on the riverside
People refer to us and our music by the riverbank
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Inform my friend, Willie Brown, of my circumstances
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I find myself still at the point of divergence
I believe I'm sinking down
I feel as though I am in a downward spiral
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sfeddie1
I was there. This is how they opened the show, with EC riffing back stage with the lights out and then taking the stage under one spot light. It was magic. Especially opening with Crossroads. The crowd on the lawn at Shoreline never sat down for the whole show. What a great concert.
sfeddie1
Would have been worth it my friend. I have been a Clapton fan since seeing Cream live at Winterland in San Francisco, 1967. Broke a string on his Fool psychedelic SG during one of his hard solos and never missed a beat.
Brian Burket
That kind of talent on one stage is incredible!!
Lite Sleeper Music
4:52 The greatest improvised guitar riff ever
Petru Carp
Beautiful music!
Huub Vervoort
Great video by two great guitarists can't wait to see the rest.
Ida Giorgi
Auguri al genio musicale di Mark Knopfler
Bleudour
Have you noticed that 0 people don't disliked this video? ^^ THAT is music!
Alec D.
Cool rock n' roll-esk version. Wish there was more Clapton and Knopfler on youtube, maybe doing some dire straits songs...besides Money For Nothing, the only search result of mine that keeps popping up no matter what.
HITMANfirdaus
Clapton is God... NO Mark Knopfler & Eric Clapton are both Guitar Gods.