Artwork

Content provided by Syracuse University Library. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Syracuse University Library or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Dark Was the Night…

1:30
 
Share
 

Manage episode 155224902 series 1150782
Content provided by Syracuse University Library. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Syracuse University Library or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

One of the most revered and renowned recordings in music history.

You’re listening to Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground by Blind Willie Johnson. Music historians cite the song as a retelling of Christ’s crucifixion. Hard to be completely sure, though, with Johnson’s characteristic humming, and moaning in place of lyrics.

There’s a parallel to be drawn between the song and Johnson’s life. He was blinded as a boy, during a domestic dispute, and though a huge influence in both Gospel and the Blues, he’d remain penniless much of his life. So much so that when his house burned to the ground in 1945, he stayed put. Sleeping on a wet bed in dry heat will get you malaria, and that’s what killed Blind Willie Johnson at the age of 48.

Try to stump our crack musicologists…request an episode right now at sound beat dot org.

  continue reading

274 episodes

Artwork

Dark Was the Night…

Sound Beat

published

iconShare
 
Manage episode 155224902 series 1150782
Content provided by Syracuse University Library. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Syracuse University Library or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

One of the most revered and renowned recordings in music history.

You’re listening to Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground by Blind Willie Johnson. Music historians cite the song as a retelling of Christ’s crucifixion. Hard to be completely sure, though, with Johnson’s characteristic humming, and moaning in place of lyrics.

There’s a parallel to be drawn between the song and Johnson’s life. He was blinded as a boy, during a domestic dispute, and though a huge influence in both Gospel and the Blues, he’d remain penniless much of his life. So much so that when his house burned to the ground in 1945, he stayed put. Sleeping on a wet bed in dry heat will get you malaria, and that’s what killed Blind Willie Johnson at the age of 48.

Try to stump our crack musicologists…request an episode right now at sound beat dot org.

  continue reading

274 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Quick Reference Guide