After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
John the Revelator
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator!
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator!
Hey, the book of the seven seals
What's John a-writin'? About the revelation?
Hey, book of the seven seals
Well, I who or who would I be, thousands cried of holy
Found the fountain, son of our bible God
Daughter of Zion, Judah the lion
He redeemeth and he bought us with blood
John the Revelator, great advocator
Gets'em on the battle of Zion
Lord, tellin' the story, risin' in glory
Cried, "Lord, don't you love"
Well, Moses to Moses, watchin' the flock
Saw the bush, well, he had to stop
God told Moses, "Pull off your shoes"
I let the flock go, well, you I choose
Taj Mahal's song "John the Revelator" is a tribute to one of the most enigmatic figures in the Bible. The song asks the central question, "Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator!" repeating it three times to emphasize the importance of the message. The chorus establishes the context of the song by referencing the Book of the Seven Seals, one of the most cryptic books in the Bible, which describes the end of the world and the return of Jesus Christ.
The song goes on to describe the redemption and salvation of humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as the daughter of Zion, Judah the lion, and John the Revelator, great advocator. Taj Mahal makes a reference to the battle of Zion and describes John the Revelator as telling the story, rising in glory. The song ends on a reference to the story of Moses and the burning bush, as if to remind the listener that divine revelation can happen to anyone, even the most humble of people.
In essence, the song speaks to the timeless nature of John's message, which transcends time and space to speak to generations across centuries. Taj Mahal's homage to the Revelator speaks to the universal appeal of his message, which encourages people to seek redemption and live a more compassionate life.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that a-writin'? John the Revelator!
Asking about the identity of the writer of a text named John the Revelator
Hey, the book of the seven seals
Referring to a certain book that discusses seven seals
What's John a-writin'? About the revelation?
Questioning the content of John the Revelator's writing, suggesting that it is about a revelation
Well, I who or who would I be, thousands cried of holy
Expressing humility about one's identity in the presence of a holy entity
Found the fountain, son of our bible God
Discovering a source of enlightenment believed to be related to a biblical deity
Daughter of Zion, Judah the lion
Referencing iconic figures from Jewish and Christian traditions
He redeemeth and he bought us with blood
Describing a redemptive act that is somehow tied to blood
John the Revelator, great advocator
Praising John the Revelator as someone who strongly advocates for a particular cause or belief
Gets'em on the battle of Zion
Referring to a conflict or struggle that is associated with Zion, a term with various religious and cultural meanings
Lord, tellin' the story, risin' in glory
Depicting a divine being who is recounting a story and ascending to a position of glory
Cried, "Lord, don't you love"
Asking a divine being about the nature of their love
Well, Moses to Moses, watchin' the flock
Referring to a biblical character named Moses who is watching over a group of animals
Saw the bush, well, he had to stop
Describing an encounter with a bush that caught someone's attention
God told Moses, "Pull off your shoes"
Describing an interaction between a deity and a human in which the human is instructed to do something
I let the flock go, well, you I choose
Recounting a decision to choose a particular individual over a group of others after releasing the group from one's care
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Rusty Goodman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tattyshoesshigure5731
You can’t help but be moved by this wonderful rendition of John the Revelator... one of the best sequences in Blues Bros 2000!
@Akumaa2000
This is my favorite scene of the entire movie. 😎✌🏾
@RavensSoTired4081
@@Akumaa2000 mine too
@dickvirusthegreek
I can... Im not moved... what? who are you?
@tattyshoesshigure5731
@@dickvirusthegreek who, who… whoo are you… who, who…?!
@GavinJ37
Even haters would have to agree that this is the best scene in the whole film. If churches were like this...I would attend
@MisterRedBird
They're called Baptist Churches... They're pretty much like this
@MisterRedBird
Anders Gulowsen Oh Norway.... Uh no I think it might actually be an American thing.... I've never thought about it. They're very common in Southern U.S
@danver39
Anders Gulowsen the good news is God believes in you
@Xerock
danver39 Yes, a bronze age metaphor for the unknown "loves you"