Crossroads
Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 went down to the crossroads
I went down to the crossroads
Fell down on my knees
Ask the Lord above for mercy
Save me if you please
I am going down to Rosedale
Taking my rider by my side
I am going down to Rosedale
Take my rider by my side
You can still barrelhouse, baby
They call us on the riverside
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I believe I'm sinking down
The lyrics of the song "Crossroads" by Steve Winwood featuring Eric Clapton are about the singer's journey to the crossroads, where he tries to flag a ride but no one seems to know him. In desperation, he falls down on his knees and prays to the Lord above for mercy and to save him. The second verse sees him going down to Rosedale with his rider by his side, where they can still barrelhouse despite being called on the riverside. The last part of the song sees the singer asking his friend-boy Willie Brown to go and tell everyone that he's standing at the crossroads, sinking down.
The song is thought to be an interpretation of the legend of blues musician Robert Johnson, who was rumored to have sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for his instrumental talents. The singer in the song is perhaps looking for the same thing: to trade his misery for something better. The act of falling down on his knees is also an important motif in the song, symbolizing humility before a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the crossroads
I went to a place to make a deal with the devil
Tried to flag a ride
I tried to get a ride from someone to make it to the crossroads
Nobody seemed to know me
No one recognized me or was willing to help
Everybody passed me by
Everyone ignored me
Fell down on my knees
I humbled myself before the devil
Ask the Lord above for mercy
I begged for God's mercy despite seeking a deal with the devil
Save me if you please
I prayed to God to spare me from any wickedness
Taking my rider by my side
I bring my loved one with me to make the deal at Rosedale
You can still barrelhouse, baby
Despite making a deal with the devil, I'll still have fun and party
They call us on the riverside
People know we're having fun and partying
Go and tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Tell my friend Willie Brown that I'm in trouble and need help
And I'm standing at the crossroads
I'm in the middle of a decision and unsure which path to take
I believe I'm sinking down
I feel like I'm falling deeper into a dark hole by making a deal with the devil
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Darrell Kingsley
So the video director actually managed to get the two back up singers IN EVERY SHOT!!!!!! I hope he's looking for a new job......