Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)

Robert Johnson's 'Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)' is a profound exploration of the blues as both a musical genre and a deeply personal experience. The song opens with the evocative image of the blues walking like a man, personifying the emotion as a living, breathing entity that haunts the singer. This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the blues is depicted as an almost supernatural force that grips the soul and refuses to let go. Johnson's use of the phrase 'worried blues' and the request for its 'right hand' suggests a desire for some form of companionship or understanding in the face of overwhelming sorrow.

The lyrics delve deeper into the impact of the blues on the singer's life, describing it as a 'low-down shakin' chill' and a 'low-down achin' heart disease.' These descriptions highlight the physical and emotional toll that the blues takes on an individual, likening it to a chronic illness that slowly consumes the person from within. The mention of 'consumption,' an old term for tuberculosis, further emphasizes the debilitating nature of this emotional state. Johnson's spoken interjections, such as 'Yes, preach 'em now' and 'Do it. now. You gon' do it? Tell me about it,' add a conversational and almost sermonic quality to the song, reinforcing the idea of the blues as a shared, communal experience.

In the final verses, Johnson speaks of studying the rain and driving his blues away, suggesting a search for solace or escape from his torment. The reference to going to the 'stil'ry' (distillery) and staying there all day implies a turn to alcohol as a means of coping with his pain. This portrayal of the blues as an inescapable, all-consuming force is a recurring theme in Johnson's work and is reflective of the broader African American experience during the early 20th century. The song captures the essence of the blues as both a personal lament and a universal expression of suffering, making it a timeless piece that continues to resonate with listeners today.