From an article by Stephen J. Nichols:
He was born with sight. But, when he was seven his stepmother threw lye into his face making him blind. Unable to work the fields, he took up a guitar, playing for the rows of sharecroppers picking their way through the cotton fields. He sang mostly gospel, but in a style that was all blues. I don’t know of any who would label Blind Willie Johnson a theologian. But I certainly would.
I've been listening to a lot of Blind Willie lately, and can see now why Nichols said what he did. Here are the lyrics to one of Blind Willie's more well-known songs, "Praise God I'm Satisfied."
Praise God I'm satisfied,
For me he bled and died,
Well I'm glad to know that he loved me so,
For me he was crucified
Lord I'm satisfied,
For me he bled and died,
Well I'm glad to know that he loved me so,
Praise God I'm satisfied.
Up on the mountain dreary
I wandered sad and alone,
And how well my Saviour found me,
For to claim me for His own.
Placed His arms about me,
And he drawed me to His side, all right,
I might be a child of His,
Praised God I'm satisfied
Well it gave me joy and gladness,
For the clouds He rolled away.
While am I left on earth singin' His praises,
How glad I am today.
Oh such a need had sinners,
For me he bled and died, bled and died, all right,
Now I know I'm a child of His,
Praise God I'm satisfied.
