If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day

Album: King Of The Delta Blues (1936)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Recorded November 27, 1936, this is as close to a religious song that Robert Johnson ever came to writing. According to Dave Rubin in Robert Johnson - King Of The Delta Blues, the verse is 17 measures long although it feels like 16 due to the two measures in 2/4 time. This makes it vaguely similar to the much later Deep Purple blues track "Why Didn't Rosemary?" >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Oldpink from Farmland, InThanks so much for adding more entries for this music legend.
    This song is just great, with RJ's intensity of singing and wonderful riff.
    We all are so fortunate that Columbia had high quality available for both of his sessions.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.