Blind Willie Johnson Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning

[taureanbullz]

Pure evil and beauty at the same time.



[gloryboundkev]

thanks for the upload. :) It won't be long now.

[xxplayer482xx]

thanks to my school choir I know this song

[rnmchl9]

the tenor lady is haunting

[4440ch]

Brilliant aint the word for it. Wow.

[artsychild1351]

I think that The White Stripes (Jack and Meg) should have covered this song

[515742617000027]

@artsychild1351 they did it live but not an actual studio recording. wish they'd make a studio recording and put it on a cd. watch?v=90fe4U80yX4

[gmartinz01]

Is this Black Willie Johnson's song, Reverend Gary Davis' song, or a folk song with no known author?

[teh0wenzor11]

unreal

[ELVIS4221]

INFINITELY SACRED

[pakmanmanc]

Wish i was around when thismusic was about.

[arizonaboy77]

God blessed us with this man

[RaananVolesPianist]

Enough comments about religion--what exactly does "keep you lamp trimmed and burning" mean? Burning, I can understand (even with an older type of lamp, like a gas jet or a kerosene lamp), but where does "trimmed" come in?

[Scoomps]

@RaananVolesPianist Matthew 25:7 says "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. Luke 12:35 says "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning," The Bible uses a metaphor of Jesus as the Bridegroom and devoted Christians are to "keep their lamps trimmed and burning" waiting for Jesus' arrival. Trimming a wick on an oil lamp conserves oil. A frayed, unruly wick wastes oil. I don't know, I guess thats what these lyrics are referencing. Just my $0.02. Cheers!

[schs19947]

@Scoomps Yes ur right bout the scripture but parable was teaching was just before His return some people will have the oil lamps full meaning saved and ready for Christ and some won't have their lamps trimmed or full of oil which represents the Spirit of God not be saved and they'll b running tryin to get oil or try to change their lives around when it will b too late when the bridgegroom calls u got to be ready for in a moment in a second in a twinkling of an eye the saints will be gone.

[Ledvolta]

@Scoomps thank you. :)

[Devrominums]

i agree, but if i have to listen to another white man playing texas shuffle blues, a la SRV i'll cry. SRV was great but come on now. you know who you are.

[elizabethbrown7540]

Some of us blues musicians are just putting food on the table. Some things don't change, and the real music doesn't change. The work is almost done.

[justinpaloma]

I'm quite sick of music snobs, stop ruining a good thing.

[TheDanification]

@justinpaloma thank you for having a head on your shoulders. i hate when people try to tear down music/ art/ culture/ belief.

[dolo167]

i like to rap music. when i ran into this song it just caught my mind soul and help me feel these tuff times

[kinggarus]

@dolo167 listen to some lead belly, or some blind willie mctell. if you like this you will definitely like those, turn your friends on to this. this music is dying, and it is sad.

[pretty9reenpark4]

@kinggarus the fact the we are visiting this page and talkin there name shows there spirit lives on this is music from the sould and for the soul. in my eyes music today is dead i educate people all the time about blues players.

[shelbygish]

We're singing this song in my choir class(: I love it!

[futurewolf42o]

I used to play with Willie back before he became black

[edj4500]

praise god......slide 1:41

[drewwiner]

I'm not a man of religious beliefs, but I cannot deny my spirituality, especially after listening to something as powerful as Blind Willie Johnson. Christians, Muslims, Jews, any religion cannot deny the power of this music.

I can't imagine how many people this man had helped through the great depression with his music. Its too bad Columbia never helped him, thats quite a sad story, actually.

[Repulver]

this is the real deal ! i would convert to any religion if the priest plays a song like this ;)

[metalmagic213]

This music is so good! I love the Ol' Blue's Git Fiddle. What an honest & talented man, Cheer's to Willie! This make's Beer drinkin' Great!!!

[noodlam]

They sang about the Lord because those songs were OK with Massa during slavery. No drums though!!

[psychkoala]

One of the greatest singers I've ever heard, and possessed of a powerful, resonant voice. His singing is soulful and dramatic, and his timing and sense of rhythm are perfect. Also, a great slide player. His songs are outstanding, too.

What a brilliant artist !

To God be the glory !

[nineveh420]

I saw a comment about someone sharing the belief in atheism/agnostic etc. but couldn't understand why they all had to go to every religious song page and bash. You are so right. At times I think people are just unsure of their end and it makes them feel good to talk about it and to try and get others to listen. It's hard to be alone... The music s beautiful and inspired by a mans heart and belief, if you can't hear that, your ears are broken and your mind is not far behind.

[arizonaboy77]

There is a God. His son is Jesus. Mr Johnson sings to are Lord. RIP

[TheMusicInMyBrain]

A lot of white stripe's sound sounds like it's inspired from this.

[slideharp1]

@exploitedtryout. Hey, where you gone? I thought you had some revelatatory information for everyone. About All The Worlds Leaders having a Big "Gathering" in Babylon...... What happened?....Did you run away or just run outta gas?

[theoccupant]

Quit arguing about religion and listen to the music you twats.

[oceanbeing]

It took getting used to voice, but now I can't get enough of it. There is such sole in it and the melodies are wonderful. I love these gritty recordings.

[pruane1forever]

@oceanbeing I agree,they sound old,Digital rerecording, or noise reduction would ruin it.

[gaboy12964]

FYI - Your actually hearing a digital representation of the original analog sound. So it kind of is digitally re-recorded

[slideharp1]

@exploitedtryout. Tell me more cos you're really interesting. When was the Gathering of 'All The World Leaders' in Babylon. And where were the ones who attended from.I wanna look up all the flood myths, as you suggest, where is this information. The Flood isn't in the New testament(Life of J.C.) It's in the Old Testament (Story of the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews) That's why you wouldn't have found it in the N.T. (you Did look,didn't you). What earlier books is The Bible a crappy version of?RSVP ASAP

[Konig200]

religion was a very good thing years ago, it established rules and morals for everyone, and without it we would probably not be here today. though, today people take it a bit too far and take stories as fact.

[noodlam]

Wow.  Beautiful. Great tune. Deep deep.

[almanacofsleep]

can people stop bible bashing, i don't care if you got to prove that Dawrin was wrong by quoting him outta context i don't wanna hear it

[TripolarProductions]

...know God

[olderbluesfan]

There is no invisible man! such a tale is absurd!Read and get knowledge not the stories made up thousands of years ago by Men uninformed about earthquakes lighting, droughts plate tectonics,the solar system microbiology germs etc etc. Throw another virgin in the volcano The loving god guy needs more goats blood scattered or there is no forgiveness. I'm shaken in my boots

[cf9113]

olderbluesfan, you're cute, keep it up. lol

[TripolarProductions]

Just because you lack the imagaination and heart, it don't mean millions don't know.

[Tairant]

You can hear where God's gonna cut you down came from

[jojojosmart]

Which one of the previous books do you prefer to the crappy version? Keep searching. Jesus said, "If you seek the truth you will find it. And it will set you free."

[grevis020160]

None of what you say seems very "smart" to me. Infact your certainty borders on the arrogant. An arrogance born of ignorance and rudeness. I'm guessing you are an American. If that's the case, you can play out your end days on your own in your own sordid little country. The rest of us in the real world will do better without you and your kind.

[jojojosmart]

The truth remains the truth regardless of what you believe to be the truth. No matter what you believe can not change the truth.

[nineveh420]

@grevis020160 You are simple and as confused as those you try to bash, we should stick all chumps like you in a room and let you deal with each other. I don't agree with much of the USA's policy domestic or foreign, but you should 'try' to open your mind a bit. Are you from this planet? Be glad that you aren't living in Nazi germany, because you would be w/o the usa. It's a big place and there are many different people here. Is everyone in your country like you? my candle's burnin'.

[blackarawak83]

I wish I was blessed as this genious was with his guitar slide and voice. People don't realised how Blind WJ,R Johnson, T. Johnson, Blind L Jefferson and Leadbelly took the Country Blues to such a imaginable high level thaR influenced just about any aspiring musician who heard 'em play back then(and now). W/O 'em there wouldn't be any rock/rockabilly without mention a lot of the bluegrass/country/honky tonk sound too. (Country first Jimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams respected these guys)

[olderbluesfan]

I agree! Religon has done nothing but hinder humanity,

"There are no moons aruond jupiter"

"the earth is not moving, take it back or will kill you"

ect. ect. What a narrow Veiw of this awsome life they have!

[ehustee]

"religion is slavery"

[biggbaddjohn]

sin is slavery. I'm not into religion much either, I'm into the living God who is Jesus Christ

[ehustee]

sweeet song, even better religious war starting in text, you guys should murder eachothers people and keep true to the history books for sure

[PeaceAndJustice357]

Damn this song is nice. Show's you how God Moved through people even in those time of some serious hardships!!!!!

[EuphoricApathy]

I personally respect the song and just about everyone of this mans more blues oriented songs most if not all of his songs have a Christian element to them. Just enjoy it for the haunting elements of a master of the slide guitar with deep vocals that pull at your emotions and please stop this inane argument that has no place here!

[scottandproud]

who cares, god or no god. This guy is the best at what he did.

[olderbluesfan]

DNA link us to all the other mammals! It took the church 500 years to admit Copernicus was right, how long til Darwin is forgiven for telling the truth?!

[USAPatriotX]

olderbluesfan asks how long til Darwin is forgiven for telling the truth? Here are a couple of Darwin quotes for you. Is it these you are talking about?

Blacks and Aborigines occupy a sub-species between Apes and Caucasians. Charles Darwin

The extinction of blacks and gorillas to advance the white "race" is good. Charles Darwin

Was Darwin telling the truth then? Wonder what the philosopher exploitedtryout says. At 24 yrs of age he's got all the answers!

[jojojosmart]

How bout Darwin's that evolution would be proven by the fossil record. More than a 100 years later, we have no shred of evidence in the fossil record suggesting evolution.

[RaananVolesPianist]

@olderbluesfan

There can be evolution and God also

[BetodeTampico]

This guy was great and I respectfully disagree about there not being a God. God is present in every note.

[Arschbit]

exactly, be a gentleman and forget about this ignorants

[olderbluesfan]

This guy was great and there is no god

[jojojosmart]

Psalms 14:1- "A fool has said in his heart,'there is no God'"

[awsell]

@olderbluesfan Funny you say that. I guess Blind Willie is singing to you in his songs of exhortation. Regardless. Hardly any blues artist had half the soul and hard life as Blind Willie. He lived and died in poverty, serving his lord, looking forward to a better life

[Droohie]

I hate how much people bring God into BWJ vids, sure he was a priest but dying of pneumonia in your burned down house doesn't really support the existence or interference of a loving God.

[Tmano2001]

Droohie, this man kept the faith regardless of his conditions. Many great men in the bible suffered and died as did their Lord and example, Jesus. Their eyes were set on a different place far from a fallen world. The inference of dying such a miserable death is the reminder we live in a world in rebellion against God. I hope to meet him some day in heaven, laugh as you might against this concept.

[martyjdionne]

doesn't disprove it either. i don't have a shred of godly faith but the comment was tasteless.

[nineveh420]

@martyjdionne beyond... darwin fanboy who knows everything... Darwin was foolish and said so many stupid, assinine things that I can't believe people give him 1 ounce of respect or legitamacy, he's like the George W. Bush of scientists

[worthysteward]

it wasn't just a house it was the church he preached in to .

[KataarSolo]

id never heard of this dude, he has my name!!!

random, but ultimately awesome

i love robert johnsons blues, man was a genius

[jojojosmart]

This my fellow pickers is as good as it gets. The reason- God inspired.

[bluegsp]

You sure the devil wasn't making deals at the crossroads like he did for Robert Johnson?

[jojojosmart]

Check out the words to each artists songs.. Blind Willie was not on the fence- He was sold out to Jesus,

[sivvybee]

Can you imagine how good they sounded live in the Juke Joints.

[mHwwaahH]

@sivvybee wish some one had a wire wheel recorder with a mic right up front there :D

[Yeah999Right]

@mHwwaahH least you know ur stuff have wire recordings of b w johnson @ other artists will upload them need a a-d converter recordings from street pre and post war v rare post under blues mix dr feelgood 1716 b w j under b w j ok dont understand the comments below phil

[Yeah999Right]

@mHwwaahH 

[Jazsngr]

I absolutely love this. I could listen to this for hours!

[babieyqurl03]

were singing this sonqq for chrous i likee it alott!

[AeroDream1]

yeah same here

[jobroslove1]

i am 2

[MrBruceBarham]

Thats HOW ya play it,

[ramsaymillar]

Makes the hair at the back of my neck stand up brilliant!!!

[bluesgurugod]

This is what real music is about. These guys were dirt poor and made just enough to put food on the table (if they were lucky). Anyone referring to BWJ as ripping off other artist is a cretin without a clue. BWJ is one of the most hauntingly soulful players of all time. If the pretentious, scumbag, greedy bands of today (Oasis, Bon Jovi, Nickelcrap) has one 1/100th of the soul of this man they might actually be worth listening too. God bless these immortal bluesmen!

[mrgabest]

Amen!

[RadicalWhig]

Well said!

[Fenderkicksass]

You can't forget the fact how much religion played such an important impact on BWJ's music

[lesyouri]

@bluesgurugod

Finally a decent comment about comparing blues with modern music

[sarayarus1]

@bluesgurugod

amen,my friend 

[nomiclas]

ttalk about the ultimant crulety -from a person and rising fron the depths of desperity to give us this wonderful music

[Daschwarz0]

wow dude, will you stop making immature jokes about a legend. Its funny when you aint blind you ass

[worthysteward]

dylan, lennon,and marley ya but rj thats a joke he's a bigger rip off then blind willie will ever be .ever hear of skip james and he was a preacher and married so probly not gay even so he's amazing . Nothing in music is origanal anyways every one should know that

[GBrady43229]

Dick jokes...what a genius. :P

[leicestergux]

sorry my dick joke wasent up to your far reaching interlect mate, i guess big willy johnson has been putting a smile on your face for years!!!

[worthysteward]

does any one else think you are a small minded person who obviously dosn't know what your talking about if you dont know blind willie or blues dont comment if you did you would know that he is one of the greatest blues preformers of the 20th centery his album soul of a man was sent on the voyeger to repersent america in the 20th centery why dont you learn something before you go insulting something other people enjoy

[SeventhCOG]

He sings like someone who knows the trials of soul and of spirit. So coool!! When you don't know the Lord you get the blues and when you do know the Lord you can really get the blues!! Longing for Jesus to come!! check out Test for Atheists by blessedone333 on utube

[leicestergux]

god help the aliens when they find that and crack open a blind willy cd.... (only the f@/king yanks!!!)

i enjoy the music myself mate im just saying he was a trad singer not a prolific songwritter like led belly and stuff, he's not even as good as mance lipscome who he has blatently robbed!!!

[lostintheblues]

You are right about everything worthysteward, but if I'm not mistaken, only the song 'Dark was the night, Cold was the ground' was sent up,... But that would be nice if the entire album was sent, it is one of the greatest collections of music you will ever find :)

[angelamariecarmen]

your right thanks for the correction . i was in quite a huff and didn't realize my mistake

[acidcasual07]

he might have been.  but does it matter nope.

[3joeygo]

1:20, the guitar is unreal!