Crossroads
Rush Lyrics

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I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees|Down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees|Asked the Lord above for mercy, save me if You please||Standin' at the crossroads, tried to flag a ride|Down to the crossroads, tried to flag a ride|Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by||Well, I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side|I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side|You can still barrel house baby, on the river side||Well, I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side|I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rush's song "Crossroads" are a reference to a popular blues theme of selling one's soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for fame or success. The main character in the song is down on his luck and seeking divine intervention to save him from his troubles. He goes to the crossroads, a place of spiritual significance in blues lore, on his knees, asking for mercy from the Lord. However, he finds no assistance from those passing him by, suggesting the cruel indifference of the world.

The lyrics then shift to a more upbeat tone, as the main character declares his intention to go to Rosedale, a town known for its lively music scene. He plans to take his rider, possibly a reference to a significant other, with him, and they will have a good time listening to music and partying on the river side. This section of the song reflects the hope and optimism of youth that a good time can fix everything.

Overall, "Crossroads" is a blues-infused rock song that explores themes of spiritual struggle, societal indifference, and youthful optimism. It's a powerful combination of music and lyrics that captures the spirit of the blues and the enduring appeal of this genre.

Line by Line Meaning

I went to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
In a moment of desperation, I went to the crossroads and humbly bowed down

Asked the Lord above for mercy, save me if You please
With a heavy heart and mind full of anguish, I pleaded to God for divine mercy and salvation

Standin' at the crossroads, tried to flag a ride
Standing at the crossroads, I tried to flag down a ride

Nobody seemed to know me, everybody passed me by
Despite my efforts, no one acknowledged me and everyone continued to pass me by

Well, I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
I've decided to go down to Rosedale with my companion by my side

You can still barrel house baby, on the river side
Even in Rosedale, we can enjoy the lively atmosphere of a barrel house on the river side

I'm going down to Rosedale, take my rider by my side
Once again, I affirm my plan to travel to Rosedale with my companion by my side

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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