This is a song about Johnny Shines, a bluesman who traveled with the legendary Robert Johnson at times. Robert would go to some town with Johnny, stay and play a few gigs and then leave and go somewhere else without saying anything. Johnny would eventually catch up with Robert somewhere else. Then, Robert would leave again without saying anything. It reminds me of a man who does that to his wife or girlfriend, although sometimes he leaves in an emotional sense instead of a physical sense; he’s there but he’s not there, if you know what I mean. This song kind of melds the Robert Johnson/Johnny Shines relationship as well as the other type.
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
That man’s going to leave you in New Jersey or New York
But shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
That man’s going to leave you in Memphis or Arkansas
That man’s got to ramble. Lord, he’s got to be alone
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
That man, you know he come and go as he please
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
I know that man, he bring you to your knees
He keeps his running shoes with him when he sleeps.
But shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
But shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
That man took the last nickel from your nation sack
But shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
He swore one day that he would put it back
Even though he wants to, you know that man just can’t
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
That man, you know he’s as good as they say
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
But that man says he sold his soul along the way
Only the good Lord knows it on Judgment Day
So shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
Old Honeyboy tell you that your man is dead and gone
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
A jealous husband, that man he did some wrong
Don’t believe him till you see that cemetery stone
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on, Johnnie. Shine on
