John the Revelator
The Son House Lyrics
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Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Well, who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
And he refused to answer, because he's naked and ashamed
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
You know Christ had twelve apostles, and three he led away
Said "Watch with me one hour, 'til I go yon' and pray"
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
Christ came on Easter morning, Mary and Martha went down to see
"Go tell my disciples, to meet me in Galilee"
Tell me who's writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seal
"John the Revelator" is a classic gospel-blues song that has been covered by many famous musicians like Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, and Warren Zevon. The lyrics of the song are based on the biblical book of Revelation and are an ode to the prophet John, who wrote the book of the seven seals. The song begins with a repetitive question of "Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator?" to which the answer is "wrote the book of the seven seal."
The song goes on to reference biblical stories such as when God called out to Adam in the Garden of Eden and when Christ had twelve apostles and led three of them to pray with him. The song also mentions Christ's resurrection and his disciples' instructions to meet him in Galilee. The lyrics of the song evoke images of biblical stories and create a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Son House's rendition of "John the Revelator" is considered one of the best versions of the song due to his powerful vocals and haunting guitar riffs. The song's influence can be seen in several other songs, including Bob Dylan's "Blind Willie McTell" and Led Zeppelin's "In My Time of Dying."
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Asking who is the author behind the Book of Revelation.
wrote the book of the seven seal
Refers to the seven seals on the scroll in the Book of Revelation, which describes events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ.
God walked down in the cool of the day, called Adam by his name
Describes the moment that God conversed with Adam in the Garden of Eden.
And he refused to answer, because he's naked and ashamed
Adam's disobedience led to shame, and subsequently, his inability to answer and face God.
Christ had twelve apostles, and three he led away
Jesus selected twelve apostles to preach and spread his word. However, he had a smaller group of three apostles who were especially close to him - Peter, James, and John.
Said 'Watch with me one hour, 'til I go yon' and pray'
Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to stay with him and keep him company during his time of prayer before he was betrayed and crucified.
Christ came on Easter morning, Mary and Martha went down to see
Mary and Martha were two of the women who visited the tomb of Jesus on the morning of his resurrection.
"Go tell my disciples, to meet me in Galilee"
After his resurrection, Jesus instructed his disciples to meet him in Galilee.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Son House, Tom Waits
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Well, who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
You know God walked down in the cool of the day, and called Adam by his name
And he refused to answer, because he was naked and ashamed
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
You know Christ had twelve apostles, and three he laid away
He said "Watch with me one hour, while I go yonder and pray"
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Christ came on Easter morning, Mary Margaret was down to see
"Go tell my disciples, to meet me in Galilee"
Tell me who's writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
@Snookyooz
Thank you for these lyrics. I listened closely and just did a couple of corrections. Here it is again:
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Well, who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
You know God walked down in the cool of the day, and called Adam by his name
And he refused to answer, because he was naked and ashamed
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
You know Christ had twelve apostles, and three he led away
He said "Watch with me one hour, while I go yonder and pray"
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Christ came on Easter morning, Mary and Martha was down to see
"Go tell my disciples, to meet me in Galilee"
Tell me who's writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Who's that writin', John the Revelator
Tell me who's that writin', John the Revelator wrote the book of the seven seals
@strayjones458
The Blues Brothers 2000 showed me this masterpiece
@doctorwhofan6340
Same here this version is pretty cool as well.
@gost4995
This isn't made beautiful because of the absence of instruments. It's beautiful because he didn't need any to say what he needed to say.
@avivarosenthal9712
Like Lead Belly doing Black Betty. Just him slapping his thigh and stomping, and it's perfect.
@christoforosmikhael9289
Because God spoke words first to man and man in return writ
@Irene-xv6nh
✅✅✅
@columbiariverpussycat3769
You sound like a idiot
@sydbarret7765
he did used the drumming to express himself, awesome master of percussion
@malinibai1133
Never fails to give me the chills. Real American music history right here.
@FlexBeanbag
https://youtu.be/Bmc9NFfhx74