Although critically acclaimed, John Hammond has had only moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, he enjoys a strong fan base and has earned respect from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Roosevelt Sykes, Duane Allman, Robbie Robertson, and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom have contributed their musical talents to Hammond's records. In addition, he is the only person who ever had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, even if it was only for five days in the 1960s when Hammond played the Gaslight Café in New York. To his regret, they never recorded together.
John Hammond has had a longstanding friendship with songwriter Tom Waits, and has performed Waits' songs on occasion. In 2001, he released Wicked Grin, an album entirely of Tom Waits compositions. Waits himself provided guitar work and backing vocals as well as producing the project.
2. John Hammond was a old time banjo player from the 1920's. He recorded the bluegrass classic 'Little Birdie' in 1925.
JUDGEMENT DAY
John Hammond Lyrics
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If I had possession, over judgment day
Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes would see
Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long
Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
(spoken: I didn't like the way she done)
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day1"
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me
The opening lines of the song "Judgment Day" by John Hammond speak of the desire for control over the judgment day, which is a reference to the day of reckoning or the end of days. The singer yearns for the power to make decisions and judge others in the afterlife. The repeated line "If I had possession over judgment day" emphasizes this longing for command and dominance over the fate of others. The next line "Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't have no right to pray" reflects a misogynistic worldview, suggesting that the singer's controlling desires extend to his romantic relationships.
The second verse of the song sees the singer seeking solace in the mountains after his lover has left him for another man. The line "And these lonesome blues got me" speaks of the loneliness and pain that he feels as a result of his situation. He then laments through the lines "And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long. Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone" which represent his lack of appetite and inability to sleep due to his heartbreak.
The bridge of the song sees the singer emotionally disconnecting from his lover "Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away. I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day" perhaps indicating that she will eventually face the consequences of her actions. The last verse of the song sees the singer trying to evoke sympathy from his lover with the lines "Now run here, baby, set down on my knee. I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me" perhaps in the hopes of winning her back.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had possession, over judgment day
If I had control over my own fate and destiny
Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray
I would not let anyone stand in the way of my happiness, not even God Himself.
And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see
I searched for a way out of my troubles, looking for a solution.
Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me
Another man has taken my love interest, and I am left feeling sad, lonely, and defeated.
And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long
I was so distressed that I could not find any comfort or solace, and instead lay alone crying all night long.
Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone
I found myself alone once again, my partner having left me.
Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
I had no choice but to accept the situation and move on.
I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day1"
I knew that there would be consequences for the way I have been living, and they would come back to me eventually.
Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
Come to me, my love, and let me speak to you.
I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me
I want to share with you the pain and suffering I have experienced in my life.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.