Crossroads Woman

Verse 1

Went down to the river 'fore the sun could rise

Went down to the river 'fore the sun could rise

Brought nine black feathers and my tears for a price

Verse 2

Laid his picture face down in the red clay dirt

Laid his picture face down in the red clay dirt

Wrapped it in my hair, Lord, soaked it with hurt

Chorus

I been to see the conjure woman, she said bring me something he's worn

She said love gone cold as iron, child, can be reborn

Or it can be taken, broken, burned down to the bone

Honey, you just tell me which you want — the man or him alone

Verse 3

I took his old blue necktie, knotted it three times

Mmm, took his old blue necktie, knotted it three times

Every knot a question — yours, or mine, or blind

Verse 4

Put a lodestone under my left side of the bed

Put a lodestone under my left side of the bed

Draw him back to me living, or draw him back dead

Chorus

I been to see the conjure woman, she said bring me something he's worn

She said love gone cold as iron, child, can be reborn

Or it can be taken, broken, burned down to the bone

Honey, you just tell me which you want — the man or him alone

Verse 5

That new woman got him, think she's safe and sound

Mmm, that new woman got him, thinks she's safe and sound

But I got roots working, and they work underground

Verse 6

Sprinkled red pepper across her welcome mat

Sprinkled red pepper across her welcome mat

Let her wonder why he keeps looking back

Bridge

My grandmother knew things they don't teach in church

My grandmother knew things they don't write in church

She said a woman scorned with knowledge, Lord

Ain't a woman — she's a curse

They call us crazy, call us weak, call us wrong

But a woman who knows the old ways, baby

Has been strong all along

I ain't asking heaven, and I ain't asking you

I'm asking the dirt, the river, and the root

To bring me what is due

Verse 7

Candle burning red now, burning through the night

Red candle burning, burning through the night

By morning he'll be restless, by midnight he'll be right

Verse 8

If he comes back willing, I'll cut those knots loose

If he comes back willing, Lord, I'll cut those knots loose

But if he comes back broken — that's his own noose

(Final Chorus)

I been to see the conjure woman, paid her with silver and time

She said child, you got the power, it was yours all down the line

Love can be a healing, love can be a blade

Depends on which hand holds it

And which prayer gets made

Outro

So if you see him wandering, confused about the road

Eyes a little distant, heart a little cold

You tell him nothing, honey, just smile and walk on by

The river knows his name now

And the roots don't lie