The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #81119   Message #1484063
Posted By: Jim Dixon
13-May-05 - 08:30 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Cyprus Grove (Ed Kuepper)
Subject: Lyr Add: CYPRESS GROVE BLUES (Skip James)
Spelling seems to be the problem, although it's not your mistake; it's either Kuepper's or his record publisher's.

According to allmusic, there is indeed a song on Ed Kuepper's album "The Wheelie Bin Affair" called CYPRUS GROVE BLUES. This should be CYPRESS GROVE BLUES.

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean; cypress is a type of tree that is traditionally a symbol of immortality. It is therefore often planted in cemeteries. The song uses "cypress grove" as a metaphor for "cemetery."

Skip James wrote CYPRESS GROVE, also known as CYPRESS GROVE BLUES. Many people have recorded some version of it. One version is in the DT (click the link) but I don't think it's very close to what Skip James sang. This is probably better:

Copied from Harry's Blues Lyrics Online:

CYPRESS GROVE BLUES
Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James

I would rather be buried in some cypress grove.
I would rather be buried in some cypress grove,
[Than] to have some woman, Lord, that I can't control.

And I'm goin' away now. I'm goin' away to stay.
And I'm goin' away now. I'm goin' away to stay.
That'll be all right, pretty mama. You gonna need my help someday.

And the sun goin' down, and you know what your promise means.
And the sun goin' down, you know what your promise means.
And what's the matter, baby, I can't see.

I would rather be dead and six feet in my grave.
I would rather be dead and six feet in my grave,
Than to be way up here, honey, treated this-a-way.

And the old people told me, baby, but I never did know.
The old people told me, baby woman, but I never did know:
"The good book declare you got to reap just what you sow."

When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold,
When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold,
Means you just gettin' ready, honey, for the cypress grove.