John the Revelator (song)
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- For the Depeche Mode single, see John the Revelator / Lilian
John the Revelator is a traditional[1] gospel/blues call and response song. In the chorus, John of Patmos, the traditional author of the Book of Revelation, is writing "the book of the seven seals." (In Christian tradition, John of Patmos is generally considered the same person as John the Apostle and John the Evangelist.)
The song was recorded in 1930 by Blind Willie Johnson[1]; this version is included in the Anthology_of_American_Folk_Music [2] [3]. Son House recorded several a cappella versions in the 1960s.
The song has been covered by numerous bands and musicians, including The Blues Brothers, Beck, John Mellencamp, Gov't Mule, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, R.E.M., The White Stripes,Phil Keaggy and many others. A song of the same name by Depeche Mode, though inspired by this traditional gospel song, is not a cover.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Sleeve notes from Dark Was The Night" CD by Blind Willie Johnson, Columbia/Mojo Working Blues 1998
- ^ Keefer, Jane. Folk Music - An Index to Recorded Resources
- ^ Anthology of American Folk Music, Volume 2: Social Music, Track 52, JOHN THE REVELATOR, Blind Willie Johnson
