The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98701   Message #1957469
Posted By: Richie
04-Feb-07 - 10:47 AM
Thread Name: Lry. and Origin of Spiritual: When I Die
Subject: RE: Lry. and Origin of Spiritual: When I Die
Susan,

Thanks for the link; I'm reposting the lyrics on this thread. Blevins song and this song are from around the same time peiod 1930, but seem older.

WHEN I DIE

Who's gonna make up muh dyin' bed?
Who's a gonna make up muh dyin' bed?
Whos a gonna make up my dyin' bed,
When I die, when I die?
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed, (3 times)
When I die.

Who's goin' down in duh grave wid me?
Who's a goin' down in duh grave wid me?
Who's a goin' down in duh grave wid me,
When I die, when I die?
Jesus goin' down in duh grave wid me (3 times)
When I die.

Who's gonna sing that las' song?
Who's a gonna sing that last song?
Who's a gonna sing that last song,
When I die, when I die?
Jesus gonna sing that las' song (3 times)
When I die.

Who's gonna pray that las' prayer?
Who's a gonna pray that las' prayer?
Who's a gonna pray that las' prayer,
When I die, when I die?
Jesus gonna pray that las' prayer, (3 times)
When I die.

Who's gonna take muh soul to Heaben?
Who's a gonna take my soul to Heaben?
Who's a gonna take muh soul to heaben,
When I die, when I die.
Jesus gonna take muh soul to Heaben (3 times)
When I die.

I'm gonna treat ev'ry body right,
I'm a gonna treat ev'ry body right;
I'm a gonna treat ev'ry body right,
Tel I die, tel I die.
I'm gonna treat ev'ry body right,
I'm a gonna treat ev'ry body right;
I'm a gonna treat ev'ry body right,
Tel I die.

I'm gonna stay on the battlefield,
I'm a gonnastay on the battlefield;
I'm a gonna stay on the battlefield,
Tel I die, tel I die.
I'm gonna stay on the battlefield,
I'm a gonna stay on the battlefield;
I'm a gonna stay on the battlefield,
Tel I die.

I'm gonna take a soldier's fare,
I'm a gonna take a soldier's fare;
I'm a gonna take a soldier's fare,
Tel I die, tel I die.
I'm gonna take a soldier's fare,
I'm a gonna take a soldier's fare;
I'm a gonna take a soldier's fare,
Tel I die.

Grissom, Mary Allen, 1930 (1969), The Negro Sings a New Heaven, pp. 4-5, with sheet music. A very interesting version, with much repetition suggestive of an older song.