“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”
Description
Singer, dying, asks that his grave be kept clean, that his grave be dug with a silver spade, and that he be lowered with a golden chain.
Notes
In 1870, Gus Williams composed an item "See that My Grave's Kept Green"; I have no idea whether it affected this song. - RBW
I've seen the sheet music for Williams's piece, and the only thing it has in common with this song is the title phrase. The rest is a sentimentally melancholy bit of Victoriana. - PJS
For those who want to hear the song itself, there are several 78 recordings, one by Bela Lam & his Greene County Singers (OKeh 45126, 1927) and a variety by the Carter Family (as "Sad and Lonesome Day": Victor 23835, 1933; Melotone 7-04-53/Conqueror 8735, 1937; Zonophone [Australia] 4379, n.d.). - RBW, PJS
Recordings
- [Joe] Evans & [Arthur] McClain, "Two White Horses in a Line" (Oriole 8081/Perfect 182/Romeo 5081, 1931; on BefBlues1)
- Blind Lemon Jefferson, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (Paramount 12608B, 1928; on AAFM3; improperly listed as "Two White Horses" on the CD reissue cover though not in the notes; also on Jefferson01, JeffersonCD01)
- Mike Seeger, "Sad and Lonesome Day" (on MSeeger01)
- Hobart Smith, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (on LomaxCD1704)
- Ruby Vass, "Lonesome Day" (on Persis1)
References
- Asch/Dunson/Raim, p. 92, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Cohen/Seeger/Wood, pp. 114-115, "Sad and Lonesome Day" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Courlander-NFM, p. 139, "(One Kind Favor)" (1 text)
- Gilbert, p. 81, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (1 partial text)
- Darling-NAS, pp. 300-301, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (1 text)
- Roud #7382
- BI, ADR92