Glenn Kaiser has been singing the blues—and sometimes soul, R&B or rock—sin… Read Full Bio ↴Glenn Kaiser has been singing the blues—and sometimes soul, R&B or rock—since he was twelve years old.

Growing up in a poor family living and hand-to-mouth in central Wisconsin, Glenn eventually gravitated to Milwaukee’s local music scene where he fronted over a dozen bands, and wrote and performed solo acoustic music-—all before turning nineteen years of age.

With his adolescence plagued by drug and alcohol abuse, Glenn got clean through following Jesus after a life-changing spiritual confrontation around his eighteenth birthday. During this time his music got heavier and in many ways, deeper. His former song writing motif celebrating drugs, sex and other vices gave way to lyrics about spiritual struggle, personal temptation, institutional sin, poverty, exploitation, racism, materialism and other issues that few musicians seemed willing to tackle.

Now, after more than three decades of making original music, Kaiser is known for his raw, bluesy vocals, fiery guitar playing, bottleneck slide and harmonica work on thirty recordings and innumerable live shows. Glenn and his family have lived in Chicago’s inner city for over thirty years doing mission work with people not unlike he once was. Kaiser has released several acoustic-based CDs between his electric blues and blues/rock albums. His seminal delta blues projects Trimmed and Burnin’ and follow-up Slow Burn (both with harp player/singer Darrell Mansfield) established him as a singular and authentic Christian bluesman.

Three contemporary worship albums, along with the folk-pop Time Will Tell, fill out the acoustic discography. Acoustic cuts also comprise half of Kaiser’s critically acclaimed Ripley County Blues project which was recorded in a log cabin lodge in rural Missouri.

Glenn’s most recent recording, the acoustic-based Bound For Glory features his unique arrangements of old hymns and spiritual choruses done mostly in the blues tradition he so loves.

Crossroads
Glenn Kaiser Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
Begged the Lord above for mercy, "Save me if you please."

Well, I went down to the crossroads, tried to play it right.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to play it right.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed on by.

Down at the crossroads, I saw the sun sinking down.
I went down to the crossroads, I saw the sun sinking down.
Lord above your mercy, I need your mercy now.

I went down to the crossroads, I looked East and West.
I went down to the crossroads, I looked East and West.
I finally looked to heaven, to the One who loved me best.

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I begged the Lord for mercy, "Won't You save me if you please."

Overall Meaning

Glenn Kaiser’s song “Crossroads” is a blues-inspired track that speaks to the spiritual struggle of seeking redemption at a symbolic intersection. The lyrics describe the singer’s journey to the crossroads, where he fell on his knees and begged the Lord above for mercy. Despite his effort to play it right and seek salvation, nobody seemed to know him, and everyone passed by. This is a poignant moment in the song that reflects the feeling of isolation and desperation that one can feel when facing profound spiritual struggles.

With the sun sinking down, the singer looks east and west, desperately seeking a way out of his situation. But it is only when he looks to the heavens and the One who loved him best that he finds the mercy and salvation he was seeking. The song is a testament to the power of faith and the belief that redemption is possible, no matter how lost one might feel. The lyrics serve as a call to action for anyone who may be struggling with spiritual uncertainties, encouraging them to turn to their faith for guidance and support.

Line by Line Meaning

I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees.
I turned to God for help and guidance.

Begged the Lord above for mercy, 'Save me if you please.'
I humbly asked God to show me mercy and save me.

Well, I went down to the crossroads, tried to play it right.
I tried to live my life the right way, without harming others.

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed on by.
Despite my efforts to do good, no one recognized or acknowledged me.

Down at the crossroads, I saw the sun sinking down.
I felt like my life was coming to an end, like the sun was setting on me.

Lord above your mercy, I need your mercy now.
I prayed to God to show me mercy and help me in my time of need.

I finally looked to heaven, to the One who loved me best.
I turned to God, the one who loved me more than anyone else.

I begged the Lord for mercy, 'Won't You save me if you please.'
Once again, I pleaded with God for mercy and salvation.

Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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