: Despite his prodigious talent, Johnson spent most of his life as a street-corner evangelist. He lived and died in poverty; in 1945, his house burned down, and he died from malarial fever shortly after while living in the wet ruins because he was reportedly refused hospital treatment due to his race or blindness. Cultural Legacy: To the Stars
: The title and mood are inspired by the 18th-century hymn "Gethsemane," which describes the agony of Jesus Christ in the garden the night before his crucifixion. Blind Willie Johnson - Dark was the night...
: The track features no discernible lyrics. Instead, Johnson uses his "chest voice" to hum and moan in unison with his guitar, creating a sound described as "unison moaning"—a style common in Southern Baptist churches. : Despite his prodigious talent, Johnson spent most
: Born in Texas in 1897, Johnson was not born blind. According to legend, he was blinded at age seven when his stepmother threw lye in his face during a fight with his father. : The track features no discernible lyrics