Stones In My Passway
Robert Johnson Lyrics


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I got stones in my passway
And my road seem dark as night
I got stones in my passway
And my road seem dark as night
I have pains in my hearts
They have taken my appetite

I have a bird to whistle
And I have a bird to sing
Have a bird to whistle
And I have a bird to sing
I got a woman that I'm loving
Boy, but she don't mean a thing

My enemies have betrayed me
Have overtaken poor Bob at last
My enemies have betrayed me
Have overtaken poor Bob at last
And here's one thing certainly
They have stones all in my pass

Now you trying to take my life
And all my loving too
You laid a passway for me
Now what are you trying to do?
I'm crying please
Please let us be friends
And when you hear me howling in my passway, rider
Please open your door and let me in

I got three legs to truck home
Boys, please don't block my road
I got three legs to truck home
Boys, please don't block my road




I've been feeling ashamed 'bout my rider
Babe, I'm booked and I got to go

Overall Meaning

In Robert Johnson's "Stones in My Passway," the singer reveals that he is dealing with significant challenges in his life. The song's opening line, "I got stones in my passway," is a metaphor for the obstacles that he is currently facing. He feels as though he is in a dark place and can't see the way out. This is reinforced when he says, "And my road seem dark as night." Johnson's reference to having "pains in my heart" implies that he is struggling emotionally as well.


The song's second verse is interesting because it appears to indicate that there are still some positive things in Johnson's life, such as his ability to whistle and sing. However, he also highlights a relationship with a woman who is not giving him what he needs. It is unclear whether she is causing him further pain and heartache or if he is simply dissatisfied with the relationship in general.


The third verse of the song introduces the concept of enemies who have betrayed Johnson. He feels as though they have triumphed over him and that they are the reason why he is currently struggling. Johnson even suggests that they have put stones in his passway, further reinforcing the idea that they are hindering his progress.


Overall, "Stones in My Passway" is a song about overcoming adversity. Johnson describes how he is dealing with a tough situation, but he also hints at some of the positive things in his life. The song shows that even in the darkest of times, there are still reasons to keep moving forward.


Line by Line Meaning

I got stones in my passway
I'm facing obstacles in my path


And my road seem dark as night
I'm feeling lost and uncertain about my future


I have pains in my hearts
I'm suffering emotionally


They have taken my appetite
My problems are affecting me physically


I have a bird to whistle
I have something to lift my spirits


And I have a bird to sing
I have something to express myself through


I got a woman that I'm loving
I have someone I care about deeply


Boy, but she don't mean a thing
But she doesn't reciprocate my feelings


My enemies have betrayed me
People I trusted have turned on me


Have overtaken poor Bob at last
They've succeeded in hurting me


And here's one thing certainly
One thing is clear


They have stones all in my pass
They've made my life difficult


Now you trying to take my life
You're trying to harm me


And all my loving too
And take away everything I care about


You laid a passway for me
You've created a situation where I'm vulnerable


Now what are you trying to do?
What's your motive?


I'm crying please
I'm begging you


Please let us be friends
Let's reconcile


And when you hear me howling in my passway, rider
When I'm in trouble and need your help


Please open your door and let me in
Please be there for me


I got three legs to truck home
I have a long journey ahead


Boys, please don't block my road
Don't make it harder for me


I've been feeling ashamed 'bout my rider
I regret how I've treated someone important to me


Babe, I'm booked and I got to go
I have things I need to do, even though it hurts to leave




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Robert Leroy Johnson, ROBERT JOHNSON

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

@joselitolloren8073

I got stones in my passway
And my road seem dark as night
I got stones in my passway
And my road seem dark as night
I have pains in my hearts
They have taken my appetite
I have a bird to whistle
And I have a bird to sing
Have a bird to whistle
And I have a bird to sing
I got a woman that I'm loving
Boy, but she don't mean a thing
My enemies have betrayed me
Have overtaken poor Bob at last
My enemies have betrayed me
Have overtaken poor Bob at last
And here's one thing certainly
They have stones all in my pass
Now you trying to take my life
And all my loving too
You laid a passway for me
Now what are you trying to do?
I'm crying please
Please let us be friends
And when you hear me howling in my passway, rider
Please open your door and let me in
I got three legs to truck home
Boys, please don't block my road
I got three legs to truck home
Boys, please don't block my road
I've been feeling ashamed 'bout my rider
Babe, I'm booked and I got to go



All comments from YouTube:

@bluesborn

I've been listening to this song since I was 15 years old and am now in my 50s.The longer I live the more I understand the depth of Roberts seminal genius.

@natedawg17

You're not lying. Only 33 and it's a completely different song than what I was listening to in High School.

@kaecake9575

Been listening to Robert Johnson since I was 12. I'm 26 still enjoy him everyday:)

@reaganwiles_art

pinnacle of blues; comparable to the peak of any art any time

@matiasrodriguezisern4714

2020 and I'm still on this

@TheGuitarMan71

Matias Rodriguez- Isern Guess what:
We will always be on this

@jarleshaas3570

Que música ! Esse cara realmente colocou a alma em suas canções.

@jizzy_san399

E o diabo...

@ronaldothomejunior3702

His voice remember me Jimi Hendrix. Nice to see how these both guys had made history with his songs;)

@jalen1418

His voice is much better than Jimi’s

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