8 Reverend William “Blind Willie” Johnson (1890-1947) “Motherless Children” 1927

A Baptist preacher, telling how it is: “Nobody on earth can take a mother’s place when Mother is dead, Lord.” Johnson's songs (such as “If I Had My Way I'd Tear the Building Down”) have been performed and recorded by Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Bruce Springsteen (http://www.allsavedfreakband.com/). His 1927 recording of “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” is listed on the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. 

Willie Johnson "Motherless Children"

Willie Johnson "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground"