“What Evil Have I Done”, is a phrase taken from Phonograph Blues by Robert Johnson. The image shows the Delta Blues Man walking away from a certain “house of ill repute”, hat in hand and guitar slung over his back. In life, Robert was no stranger to keeping company with women who were employed in “the world’s oldest profession”. The life that he lived was full of his three favorite things, playing the blues, drinking whisky, and keeping company with women wherever he could find them. Some may judge and condemn Robert on this alone. Yet, in the same instant would readily forgive and embrace the preacher man after even worse sins. One must remember that it was a prostitute that Jesus saved from a crowd who was ready to stone her to death….maybe it was because He noticed that the crowd who “caught her in the very act”, was there to judge her and not the man as well. Likewise, why has Robert been relegated to the lost sinner’s chorus to join in the wailing and gnashing of teeth? Is it because he is an easy target like the sex worker of Jesus’ time? We must remember, it was his wife’s family who told him at the age of 19, that it was his fault she and the baby died, and that it was primarily due to him playing “that devil’s music”. Like Job’s friends who were, in the words of Job himself, a group of “miserable comforters, all of you!”, Robert was surrounded by people who blamed him for his own misfortune. It was after that tragedy that Robert was known to openly blaspheme God. However, in the the very song that many point to as proof positive that he “sold his soul to the devil”, Robert says he fell down on (his) knees, and “cried out, LORD have mercy on poor Bob if you please”. In addition to that, the very last note he left for the world, bore his personal statement on his faith. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth King of Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He will call me from the Grave”.
“What Evil Have I Done”, is created by Artist Andre LeMoyne Miller on 30" x 40" gallery wrapped canvas...LARGE SCALE ARTIST ENHANCED CANVAS PRINTS will be available for $1200 each...