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Blind Willie JohnsonBlind Willie Johnson-Mother's Children Have A Hard Time (December 3, 1927)

Recorded on December 3, 1927 in Dallas, Texas. The title of this tune was a garbled translation of someone trying to decipher Johnson's singing, the title should have been "Motherless Children Have A Hard Time." Indeed, it is reputed that Johnson was blinded as a child by his stepmother in a fit of anger after she was discovered in bed with another man by Johnson's father, who then beat her.


This audio is part of the collection: 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings

Artist/Composer: Blind Willie Johnson
Date: 1927-12-03 00:00:00
Source: 78rpm>CD>MP3
Keywords: Music; Acoustic; Blues; Gospel; Acoustic Country Blues; Christian; 78rpm

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Reviewer: tuwa - - September 1, 2004
Subject: wonderful song
Blind Willie is in charge here: funky slide guitar; the lyrics are poignant; the melody bounces along; the vocal delivery is raw but probably works better for it.

Reviewer: rfd - - October 21, 2003
Subject: What it is all about
This is it. Listen and hear why the Blues is the most relevant original music created in America. Very chilling in its time and too often true today. A true master of instrument and pain. Blind Willie Johnson's music will transcend many more generations to come.