If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
Robert Johnson Lyrics


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If I had possession, over judgment day
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
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 day one"

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robert Johnson's song "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day" are layered with meaning and themes of heartbreak, revenge, and despair. The song is steeped in the folklore of African-American blues culture and is a testament to Johnson's early and influential contribution to the genre. The song opens with Johnson wishing for power over judgement day, indicating that he has been wronged by someone, and he seeks retribution. He believes that if he had control over judgement day, he would prevent the woman he loves from praying, as he considers her actions hypocritical.


As the song progresses, Johnson describes his journey to the mountain, where he hoped to find solace and answers as he looks out to the vast horizon. However, he discovers that someone else has taken his lover, leaving him alone and full of sorrow. Johnson's fear of losing his loved one is palpable, and he cries out in pain as he recounts his experience of rolling and tumbling in despair, feeling a profound sense of loss.


The song concludes with Johnson recalling the infamous incident where his lover betrayed him by stealing his biscuit roller, a symbol of their shared love and life together. Johnson admits that he had to walk slowly away, indicating his desire for the woman he loves, but is aware of the trouble that will come her way eventually. In total, the lyrics of "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day" form a narrative of betrayal, loss, and heartbreak that has a profound impact on anyone who listens to Johnson's powerful voice.


Line by Line Meaning

If I had possession, over judgment day
If I had control over my fate and the consequences of my actions


Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray
If I had such control, I wouldn't worry about the prayers or opinions of the woman I love


And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see
I searched high and low for my woman


Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me
I am heartbroken and lonely because another man has stolen my woman


And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long
I suffered and wept throughout the night with no relief


Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone
I woke up to find that the one thing that brings me comfort and joy is missing


Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away
I had to accept the situation and leave it behind, regardless of how much it hurt me


I said in my mind, "Yo' trouble gon' come some day one"
I know that eventually the person who hurt me will have their own troubles and face consequences


Now run here, baby, set down on my knee
Come sit with me and listen to what I have to say


I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me
I want to share my struggles and how I was mistreated with you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT JOHNSON, WOODY PAYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@undertaker9336

If I had possession over Judgement Day
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' far as my eyes could see
And I went to the mountain lookin' far as my eyes could see
Some other man got my woman and the lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled and I cried the whole night long
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
I didn't like the way she'd run
Had to fold my arms and I slowly walked away
I said in my mind, "You're trouble gone come someday"
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



All comments from YouTube:

@tyezillaOG

I love my culture and all the contributions that helped shape this great country.... which still stands today

@undertaker9336

If I had possession over Judgement Day
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' far as my eyes could see
And I went to the mountain lookin' far as my eyes could see
Some other man got my woman and the lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled and I cried the whole night long
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
I didn't like the way she'd run
Had to fold my arms and I slowly walked away
I said in my mind, "You're trouble gone come someday"
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

@shagadelic4210

Hahaha I love how he mentions the biscuit roller just because nobody really rolls their biscuits anymore ya just pop em in the oven if they're those ready to go store ones😅really captures differences in our times just in less than a hundred years, crazy.

@kaecake9575

"My biscuit roller gone"

I felt that

@vigadotibrand1677

​@@shagadelic4210he's talking about his woman lol

@shagadelic4210

Obviously lmao, The comment was about the specific antique item used for the metaphor😂

@musfutmuj

This song hits me dude...really hits me.

@Streetwalker216

Likewise!!! It's even more powerful slowed down.

@shagadelic4210

Great taste brođŸ€˜his guitar work is ALWAYS just so sexy!! and the vocals are so surprisingly amazing too when ya first catch it but it makes ya wish he lived longer so that audio recording technology could do his work justice huhđŸ€”đŸ˜Œ

@rojkoffs

The only possession is Love

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