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"Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right"
Single by Blind Willie Johnson
Released c. 1930
RecordedAtlanta, Georgia, April 20, 1930
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)Unknown

"Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1930 by Blind Willie Johnson with backing vocals by Willie B. Harris, who may have been his first wife. [1] The song was released in 1930 on Columbia 14597 as B-side to " Go with Me to That Land". [2]

The chorus consists of the lines:

Everybody should treat a stranger right, long ways from home,
Everybody should treat a stranger right, a long way from home.

The verses comment on that idea, notably with reference to the Three Wise Men offering gifts to the Christ-child in the manger.[ citation needed]

In 2018, Ry Cooder recorded the song for his album The Prodigal Son. [3] He commented that it was "one of Blind Willie Johnson’s great songs – he’s the go to guy". [3]

References

  1. ^ "Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right". Smithsonian Folkways. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  2. ^ Charters, Samuel (1993). The Complete Blind Willie Johnson (CD booklet). Blind Willie Johnson. New York City: Columbia Records/ Legacy Recordings. C2K 52835.
  3. ^ a b "Video Premiere: Ry Cooder "Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right" (Live in studio)". Relix. April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.