“Go And Dig My Grave”

Description

"Go and dig my grave both long and narrow, Make my coffin neat and strong... Two, two to my head, two, two to my feet, Two to carry me, Lord,when I die." "My soul's gonna shine lie a star... I'm bound for heaven when I die."

Notes

Fred W. Allsopp, in _Folklore of Romantic Arkansas_, Volume II, p. 159, reports an item in _Harper's Magazine_ in 1878 with the chorus

Soul shall shine lak a star in de mornin',

Soul shall shine lak a star in de mornin';

Oh, my little soul's gwine to rise an' shine,

Oh, my little soul's gwine to rise an' shine.

Whether that is related to this I do not know. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "The Little Beggar Boy" (floating verses)

Recordings

• Unidentified men from Andros Island, "Dig My Grave" (AAFS 502 B1, 1935; on LomaxCD1822-2)
• David Pryor, Henry Lundy et al, "Dig My Grave" (AFS, 1935; on LC05)
• John Roberts & group, "Dig My Grave Both Long and Narrow" (on MuBahamas2)
• Pete Seeger, "Dig My Grave" (on PeteSeeger04)

References

1. Silber-FSWB, p. 350, "Dig My Grave" (1 text)
2. DT, GO&DIG
3. Roud #15633
4. BI, FSWB350B