Dark Was the Night

In 1927, a man named Blind Willie Johnson, from Brenham, Texas, wrote and recorded a song that would later be hailed as the “most soulful and transcendent piece of American music.”

A gospel musician with great spiritual convictions, Johnson used his guitar and lungs to vocalize the emotions of his inner being — and this song in particular was no different. He usually sang with great energy and grit and was often accompanied by a woman who echoes his words. On this note, however — the song of 1927 was without equal.

There are no words. There is no great energy, no grit. There are only moans and humming to depict sadness, a slight shaking of the head and perhaps a peaceful acceptance of what is and the knowledge of what is to come.

The song is entitled “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” and was written in reflection of Christ’s crucifixion. As was common of the church in that time, a wordless hymn was the only appropriate response to the horrors of the cross. The anguish that Christ endured was not lost on Johnson, but instead overwhelmed him.

Please take a moment to listen.

When Eric introduced me to this song a few months ago, I was so convicted. Growing up in a Christian home, I’ve heard the story of Christ’s crucifixion many times. I’ve attended 24 Easter services, I’ve seen The Passion of The Christ and I’ve participated in countless communions. The gospel of the cross was indeed “good news,” but, I’m ashamed to admit, it had also become old news.

Let me explain. I am a follower of Christ. I love to worship. I have no doubt that God directs my path and that every good thing I have comes from Him. When I find myself in a tough spot, I know God will see me through. He always has. I believe in His death and resurrection and His power to save even me.

This is all well and good, but what about the cross? When was the last time I let the reality of Christ’s death permeate my mind? To grasp what He willingly did for me? To be overwhelmed by His sacrificial love? The mocking, the pain, the utter loneliness.

[Christ] had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that — a crucifixion. (Philippians 2:6 – 8, MSG)

Easter should be more than pretty dresses and egg hunts. It should move me. Move me to wordless praise.