“Conversation with Death (Oh Death)”
Description
Death approaches the young person who is "unprepared for eternity." (S)he tries to buy Death off. It doesn't work. Death describes how it takes everyone and snuffs out their lives. The soon-to-be-dead person bids farewell
Notes
It is possible that this is a Holy Roller version of "Death and the Lady," but there are enough differences that I decided I had to separate them. There may be a "missing link" out there somwhere, though. - RBW
I think Boggs' version may well be the missing link you seek. A very similar version was recorded by the blues singer Charley Patton. Or it could be Vernon Dalhart's recording, but certainly the Boggs and Patton versions are fairly close to "Death and the Lady." - PJS
Cross references
- cf. "Death and the Lady" (theme)
- cf. "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" (tune of one version)
- cf. "Oh Death (III)" (lyrics)
Recordings
- Rich Amerson, "Death Have Mercy" (on NFMAla4)
- Dock Boggs, "Oh Death" (on Boggs1, BoggsCD1)
- Al Craver [pseudonym for Vernon Dalhart], "Conversation with Death" (Columbia 15585-D, 1930; rec. 1928)
- Rev. Anderson Johnson, "Death in the Morning" (Glory 4015, rec. 1953; on Babylon)
- Charlie Monroe's Boys, "Oh Death" (Bluebird B-8092, 1939)
- Charley] Patton & [Bertha] Lee, "Oh Death" (Vocalion 02904, 1935; rec. 1934)
- Dock Reed & Vera Hall Ward, "Death is Awful" (on NFMAla5) (on ReedWard01)
- Berzilla Wallin, "Conversation with Death" (on OldLove)
References
- Randolph 663, "Conversation with Death" (1 text)
- DT, OHDEATH*
- Roud #4933
- BI, R663