—Gravesite of Robert Johnson—
—Stop #1—
We pulled into the Gravel and Mud parking lot of “Little Zion M.B. Church” in Greenwood, Mississippi.
I had been in a “Writing Funk” and needed some inspiration, So my Older Brother, Dad, and I piled into my brother’s truck and took off to Greenwood and Clarksdale, Mississippi, on a Road-Trip.
Road-Trips are great at getting me out of any “Funk” I’m in.
Taking parts of the Blues Highway as we drove, the trip took over four hours.
Along the way, we talked, laughed, and napped.
Our first stop was to see the Gravesite of Blues Legend “Robert Johnson.”
Robert Johnson was born May 8, 1911, and Died August 16, 1938.
He was Twenty-Seven years old.
There are many legends attached to Blues Singer Robert Johnson. —None of which I believe. Don’t get me wrong; Johnson is a Music legend. However, I don’t believe the other “Legends” surrounding him. But allow me to explain:
I don’t know who started it, but legend has it that Robert Johnson went down to the Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and sold his Soul to the devil. Yep. The legend says that the devil showed up at Midnight and presented Johnson with an offer.
In exchange for Johnson’s Soul after Death, Robert would become a Master at the Guitar and the Blues. It was said that up until then, Johnson was a poor guitar player and songwriter.
Johnson agreed, and the devil took the Guitar out of Johnson’s hands, tuned it, played it a little, and handed it back to Johnson. The deal was sealed as well as Johnsons Fate.
But, again, I don’t believe it.
There are many different stories of Robert’s sudden death at the young age of Twenty-Seven. Like most of Robert’s life, his death is a Mystery. There are even different stories of where his body was buried after his death.
“The National Endowment For The Arts” have concluded that Robert Johnson is buried at “Little Zion M.B. Church” in Greenwood, Mississippi.
Mr. “Robert Plant,” Lead Singer for “Led Zepplin,” even flew to the U.S. to Visit Robert Johnsons Grave at Little Zion Church.
“Mr. Plant” has given Robert Johnson credit for being a significant influence in “Plants” Music Career.
Many Music Artists give Robert Johnson credit for their Music Career.
Artists such as “Muddy Waters,” “Elmore James,” and “The Rolling Stones” have said that Johnson’s Music inspired them in some way.
Eric Clapton covered at least one of Robert Johnsons Songs.
So, it is clear that Mr. Robert Johnson had a Big Influence on Music and, more specifically, Blues Music.
Recordings were hard to come by in the 1920s and 30s. So, only 29 Songs were recorded of Robert Johnson playing and singing.
Imagine having only twenty-nine songs and changing the Music World forever. It’s hard to imagine. Twenty-Nine Songs in his whole Music Catalog, and he changed Music with them.
The Church is small. The parking lot is dirty.
Graves are spread out in all different directions with no rhyme or reason.
Some Graves are in the “Woods Part” of the Property, with trees and bushes growing all around.
Burial Vaults were not widely used until later in the 1900s. As a result, many Graves have collapsed, leaving a “Dip” in the ground.
In fact, there are “Dips” even in spots not marked with a Grave Marker leaving us wondering if someone is buried in those spots as well.
These “Dips” were all over the Graveyard.
We walked around looking at Headstones and searching for Johnson until I heard Dad Holler, “Here it is.”
We all hurry over to that Grave, and sure enough, the Headstone is for Robert Johnson.
Here I am, standing at his Grave. Standing where Robert Plant has stood, and many Blues Legends—looking at the Headstone of Mr. Robert Johnson.
There is a story that Robert Plant paid for the Headstone. I am curious to know if that is accurate. It is a very nice Headstone.
Born May 8, 1911 — Died August 16, 1938
Found on Johnson’s body after his death was a Hand-Written Note that read: ” Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He will call me from the Grave.”
The found Hand-Written Note is very telling of what Robert Johnson truly believed and leads me further to think that Johnson did not sell his Soul to the devil.
The Hand-Written Note is inscribed on Johnson’s Headstone.
I stood there and took this moment in as best I could.
Then, it was on to our next stop.
Our next stop?—”The Crossroads” in Clarksdale, Mississippi
