Sadie Damascus sang this song today, and I think I've heard Arlene Immerman sing it. Sadie said this is NOT a version of "O Death," but I dunno - heck, it's a Conversation with Death, isn't it? Sadie said she got the song from Deborah Sandler, so I asked Deborah for the lyrics. Here's her response. Anybody know anything more about this, or the German song/tale it came from?

I don’t actually know the title of the song. I just call it the Death Song. I got it from the singing of Pete Cooper, when he used to sing and perform with Holly Tannen - way back in the day. It is apparently an adaptation of an old German folk tale. I can’t remember if he was the one who set it to music or not.

Anyway, here are the words:

DEATH SONG

If you don’t believe me, friends, that’s fine,
But last night I sat drinking wine.
Death came in without a sound,
Death came in and he sat him down.

Chorus:
Hop hop hop hop, fa la la la,
Don’t you believe that Death was there?
Hop hop hop hop fa la la la la la, la la la la la la la.

He shook the robe back from his head,
His face a skull, his eyes flashed red.
“Put down that bottle, you’ve had your spree,
Put down that bottle and come with me!”

Chorus

“Well, Death, I’d gladly heed your call,
But I have scarcely lived at all.
Alone I sit here every night,
I drink and read by candlelight.”

Chorus

“I’ve studied hard now, many’s the year,
Medicine shall be my career.
To you, dear Death, if I may live,
Half my patients to you I’ll give.”

Chorus

“Very well,” says Death, “It’s agreed.
A long life, Doctor, you may lead.
Serve me of your own free will,
Until of life you have had your fill.”

Chorus

He took the glass in his long bony hand.
“Here’s a health to the plague in every land!
Here’s a health to sickness in every town!”
And then he drained the glass and he smashed it down!

Chorus (twice)

I didn’t know other people were singing this song too! It’s probably getting folk processed all over the place. These words are true to the way I learned it - I don’t think the words or tune have been changed at all from how I originally heard it.