See That My Grave is Kept Clean

Words and music attributed to Lemon Jefferson, 1927.

Well, it’s one kind favor I ask of you;
Well, it’s one kind favor I ask of you;
Lord, it’s one kind favor I’ll ask of you;
See that my grave is kept clean.

It’s a long lane, that’s got no end;
It’s a long lane, that’s got no end;
It’s a long lane, ain’t got no end;
There’s a bad wind that never change.

Lord, it’s two white horses in a line;
Well, it’s two white horses in a line;
Well, it’s two white horses in a line;
Goin’ take me to my buryin’ ground.

My heart stopped beatin’ and my hands got cold;
My heart stopped beatin’ and my hands got cold;
Well, my heart stopped beatin’, Lord my hands got cold;
It was a long, old story that the Bible told.

Have you ever heard a coffin sound?
Have you ever heard a coffin sound?
Have you ever heard a coffin sound?
Then you know that the po’ boy is in the ground.

Oh, dig my grave with a silver spade;
Well, dig my grave with a silver spade;
Well, dig my grave with a silver spade,
You may lead me down with a golden chain.

Have you ever heard a church bell tone?
Have you ever heard a church bell tone?
Have you ever heard a church bell tone?
Then you know that the po’ boy is dead and gone.

Collected from Paramount 12608, as sung by Blind Lemon Jefferson, recorded c. February 1928,