Crossroads
Mark Knopfler & Eric Clapton Lyrics
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I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy, Save me if you please
I went down to the crossroads, 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'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down
The song "Crossroads" by Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton is an adaptation of Robert Johnson's 1936 blues classic "Cross Road Blues". The song's lyrics capture the essence of the blues, which is a genre that has traditionally been associated with hardship and struggle. The singer of the song finds himself at a crossroads, a metaphor for a turning point in his life when he has to make a difficult decision. He pleads with the Lord for mercy and salvation, hoping that he will be saved from his troubles.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer is shown falling down on his knees at the crossroads, which is a biblical reference to the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. He is seeking redemption for his sins, and he believes that the Lord will show him mercy. The second verse of the song shows the singer trying to flag a ride, but nobody seems to know him or care about his plight. This is a reflection of the loneliness and isolation that comes with being down and out.
The final verse of the song sees the singer heading down to Rosedale with his rider by his side. He seems to have found a measure of comfort and solace in the arms of his loved one, as he sings about barrelhousing on the riverside. However, the last line of the song reveals that the singer is still struggling. He believes he is sinking down at the crossroads, signaling that his troubles are not yet over. The song represents the perennial struggle between hope and despair that is at the heart of the blues.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
The singer is seeking spiritual guidance and falls to their knees in desperation.
Asked the Lord above for mercy, Save me if you please
The singer is pleading for mercy and help from a higher power.
I went down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
The singer is attempting to leave their current situation and find a new path.
Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
The artist feels isolated and forgotten, with no one recognizing or acknowledging their struggle.
I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
The artist is embarking on a new journey with a partner or companion by their side.
You can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside
The singer is optimistic about the future and believes there will be opportunities for joy and celebration.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
The singer is acknowledging that they may not be able to control their fate and is leaving the outcome to chance or others.
And I'm standing at the crossroads, believe I'm sinking down
The artist is still struggling and unsure of their path or fate, despite their attempts to seek guidance and companionship.
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.