The Man Who Made A Deal With The Devil

Years ago, the renowned country singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize winner, Bob Dylan, gave a disconcerting interview on 60 Minutes. When asked why he continued to perform after a career spanning five decades, Dylan revealed that he had made a pact long ago and was simply honoring his end of the bargain. Curious about the details of his bargain, the interviewer inquired further, only to receive an unexpected answer. Dylan confessed that he had made a deal with the chief of this world and the unseen world. This revelation was not the first of its kind from Dylan. In 2008, he mentioned that he had traveled to the crossroads and made a deal that transformed him into the man he is today, with extraordinary musical talent and immense fame.

Such stories of individuals striking bargains with mysterious entities are not uncommon in the music industry, particularly in the realm of blues. Legends abound of musicians going to the crossroads and emerging with exceptional musical prowess, as seen with blues musicians like Robert and Tommy Johnson. In Martin Scorsese's documentary "No Direction Home," which delves into Dylan's life, a childhood friend shares a captivating comment. According to the friend, Dylan used to play at parties and was average, but upon returning from a few months in New York, he exhibited astonishing musical skills that left his friends astounded. One even referred to him as a shape-changer or a man possessed. Thus, the ordinary Robert Zimmerman, known by Dylan's real name, embarked on his journey to becoming the legendary Bob Dylan.

However, the identity of the "chief of the earth and the world we cannot see," with whom Dylan claims to have made a pact, remains shrouded in mystery. While one might assume that Dylan was referring to God, it is worth noting that the New Testament presents the idea that the devil, rather than God, is the Prince of this world. Throughout history, various myths, legends, and firsthand accounts have surfaced about individuals making deals with the devil. Now, let's delve into some allegedly true stories of people who purportedly signed contracts in blood, making deals with the devil. Brace yourself, as some of these tales may leave a lasting impression.

Before we explore these unsettling accounts, let's briefly touch on the concept of the devil. Known by various names like Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Mephistopheles, the devil appears in multiple religions and cultures worldwide. Generally, the devil personifies evil, acting as a hostile and destructive force. Deception and temptation are his primary weapons. While some consider the devil a literal fallen angel, others perceive it as a metaphysical manifestation of humanity's vices, serving as a reminder of the potential consequences of selfish inclinations.

One of the most famous legends of a person striking a deal with the devil is the story of Faust. This tale has been recounted by writers such as Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust, a morality tale warning against the perils of worldly ambition, portrays a man who, in his quest for ultimate knowledge, falls into despair and strikes a deal with the devil. Interestingly, the story of Faust is based on a real historical figure, Johann Georg Faust. Faust was a mysterious and enigmatic figure in the 15th and 16th centuries, traveling throughout Europe, performing magic tricks, offering horoscopes, and claiming to possess profound knowledge. He was widely regarded as someone in league with the devil, capable of extraordinary feats. Faust's life took a truly bizarre turn when he died in a chemical explosion, and his heavily mutated body led many to believe that the devil's evil had contorted him prior to the explosion. His strange after-death experiences, including his body continuously turning to face the bow.

Faust's strange after-death experiences, including his body continuously turning to face the bowels of Hell, added fuel to the belief that he had indeed made a pact with the devil. This story became the basis for the Faustian bargain, a term used to describe a deal or agreement in which a person sacrifices their moral values or integrity in exchange for personal gain, power, or success.

Another notable figure associated with a supposed pact with the devil is the blues musician Robert Johnson. According to the legend, Johnson, an aspiring blues guitarist in the early 20th century, felt frustrated with his lack of musical skill. Desperate for talent and success, he allegedly made a deal with the devil at a crossroads near Dockery Plantation in Mississippi. The specifics of the encounter vary in different accounts, but the common thread is that Johnson exchanged his soul for unparalleled mastery of the guitar. Afterward, his musical abilities seemingly transformed overnight, propelling him to legendary status in the blues world. Songs like "Cross Road Blues" and "Me and the Devil Blues" allude to his pact with the devil.

Similarly, the story of Tommy Johnson, another blues musician from the same era, involves a deal with the devil. Tommy Johnson, who was unrelated to Robert Johnson, claimed that he went to a crossroads at midnight and played his guitar, where he was approached by a large black man. The man took the guitar, tuned it, and played a few songs flawlessly. In return for this display of skill, the man offered Tommy Johnson the ability to play the guitar as well as he did. Tommy Johnson supposedly accepted, leading to his remarkable musicianship.

These legends surrounding musicians and their alleged pacts with the devil add an air of mystery and intrigue to their exceptional talents. While these stories may have originated as a way to explain the extraordinary skills of these musicians, they have endured and become part of the folklore surrounding the blues genre.

It's important to note that these accounts of making deals with the devil are rooted in folklore, mythology, and oral tradition. They are not verifiable historical events. It is likely that these tales arose as a means of attributing supernatural talent to musicians who had an extraordinary gift for their craft. They serve as cautionary tales and contribute to the allure and mystique of these musicians' legacies.

In conclusion, the notion of individuals making pacts with the devil has permeated various aspects of culture, including music, literature, and folklore. The stories of Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, and the mythical figure of Faust represent enduring examples of this concept. While these accounts add intrigue to the lives of these musicians, it's essential to approach them with skepticism and appreciate them as part of the rich tapestry of human mythology and storytelling.