Blind Willie Johnson and Led Zeppelin, although from different eras, shaped the music landscape through raw emotion and powerful sound.

Johnson’s haunting gospel-blues voice and slide guitar style influenced generations, bridging the sacred and secular in American roots music.

Decades later, Led Zeppelin redefined rock music with their thunderous riffs, drawing inspiration from the blues tradition.

Their shared musical intensity created a timeless connection between spiritual sorrow and electric rebellion.

While Johnson laid the groundwork with soul-stirring hymns, Led Zeppelin amplified that foundation into arena-filling anthems, showing how one man’s spiritual grit could echo in a band’s global rock legacy.

About the Song

The lyrics of It’s Nobody’s Fault but Mine center on the theme of personal responsibility for one’s salvation and moral choices.

Blind Willie Johnson’s version employs biblical language to convey regret over not reading the Bible, rendering it a spiritual lament.

Led Zeppelin’s adaptation retains this core message but presents it with a darker, more intense tone, emphasizing inner struggle and self-blame through blues-infused rock and haunting vocal delivery.

It’s Nobody’s Fault but Mine Lyrics by Blind Willie Johnson

Intro

It’s nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody’s fault but mine
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost

Refrain

I have a Bible in my home
I have a Bible in my home
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost

Verse 1

Mmm, father, he taught me how to read
Father, he taught me how to read
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost
Nobody’s fault but mine

Chorus

Now, Lord
Nobody’s fault but mine
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost

Refrain

Ah, I have a Bible of my own
I have a Bible of my own
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost

Verse 2

Oh, mother, she taught me how to read
Mother she taught me how to read
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost
Nobody’s fault but mine

Chorus

Ah
Lord, Lord
Nobody’s fault but mine
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost

Verse 3

And, sister, she taught me how to read
Sister, she taught me how to read
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost
Nobody’s fault but mine

Chorus

Ah
Mmm
Lord, Lord
Nobody’s fault but mine
If I don’t read it, my soul will be lost
Mmm

Nobody’s Fault But Mine Lyrics by Led Zeppelin

Chorus

Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

Verse 1

Oh, nobody’s fault but mine
Nobody’s fault but mine, yeah
Trying to save my soul tonight

Refrain

Oh, it’s nobody’s fault but mine

Verse 2

Devil he taught me to roll
Devil he taught me to roll-oll-oll, oh
How to roll the lot you like

Refrain

It’s nobody’s fault but mine

Chorus

Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

Harmonica Solo

Verse 3

Brother he showed me the gong
Brother he showed me the ding dong ding dong
How to kick that gong to life

Refrain

Oh, it’s nobody’s fault but mine

Verse 4

Got a monkey on my back
M-m-m-m-m-monkey on my back, back, back, back
Gonna change my ways tonight

Refrain

Nobody’s fault but mine

Guitar Solo

Chorus

Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aah, aah, ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

Outro

Aah, aah, ah, aah
Aah, aah, ah, aah
How to kick that gong to light
N-n-n-n-n-n-n-nobody’s fault

Similar Songs Like It’s Nobody’s Fault but Mine

Here are other songs that offer a variety of sounds while maintaining the energy and emotionality found in Nobody’s Fault but Mine:

• In My Time of Dying: This song builds slowly, beginning with a bluesy slide guitar and evolving into a lengthy, powerful jam filled with emotion and grit.
• Since I’ve Been Loving You: With heartfelt vocals and a slow-burning guitar, this track shows the band’s deep connection to classic blues and emotional storytelling.
• Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground): Driven by heavy drums and a haunting harmonica, this track delivers a dark and profound sound that lingers long after.
• The Lemon Song: It mixes funky bass lines with raw blues lyrics, showcasing the band’s playful yet strong musical chemistry in a free-flowing jam style.

Similar Artists Like Blind Willie Johnson & Led Zeppelin

These artists blend raw blues emotion and gritty guitar work, echoing the spiritual fire of Blind Willie Johnson and the rock power of Led Zeppelin:

• Muddy Waters
  Genre: Chicago blues
  Top Albums: The Best Of Muddy Waters (1958), Folk Singer (1964)
• Howlin’ Wolf
  Genre: Chicago blues
  Top Albums: Moanin’ In The Moonlight (1959), The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions (1971)
• Blind Lemon Jefferson
  Genre: Country blues
  Top Albums: Blind Lemon Jefferson Vol. 2 (1927), Black Snake Moan (2003)
• Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
  Genre: Blues-Rock Country
  Top Albums: Okie Dokie Stomp (1969), The Original Peacock Recordings (1983)
• Robert Johnson
  Genre: Delta blues
  Top Albums: King Of The Delta Blues Singers (1961), The Complete Recordings (1990)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Led Zeppelin Choose to Cover this Particular Song?

The song’s themes of personal responsibility and redemption were connected by their blues influences and spiritual exploration during that era.

How do the Vocal Styles Compare Between the Two Artists?

Johnson’s rough, preacher-like delivery contrasts with Plant’s more melodic approach, yet both convey great emotional and spiritual intensity.

Which Version Better Shows the Song’s Spiritual Message Today?

Blind’s raw lyrics reflect lived events, while Zeppelin’s version brings the message to broader audiences through accessible rock arrangements.