Lyr Req/Add: I Want to Die Easy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: I Want to Die Easy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 21 - 03:48 AM

Thread #130508   Message #2941499
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
07-Jul-10 - 08:54 PM
Thread Name: St. Helena Island Spirituals Permathread
Subject: I Want to Die Easy when I Die

17. I Want to Die Easy When I Die

I want to die easy when I die (when I die)
I want to die easy when I die (when I die)
I want to die easy when I die
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to die easy when I die (when I die).

I want to see muh mother when I die
I want to see muh mother when I die
I want to see muh mother when I die
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to see muh mother when I die.

"Other verses may be had by using the words father, brother, sister, deacon, pastor."

The song concludes with the following verses.

I want to see muh Jedus when I die (repeated as in verse 2)
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to see muh Jedus when I die
I want to go to heben when I die (repeated as in verse 2)
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to go to heben when I die.

"Note 1. The rhythmic alterations required by verse 2 and succeeding verses are attended by a slight change in the melody as follows:"
[Examples given- I want to see my mother etc.]
"Note 2. The words "when I die" are repeated as shown above by other voices against the sustained tonic and dominant."

Also in Johnson, Second Book of Negro Spirituals

Recording from Sharon Mountain Harmony from Folk-Legacy Records: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yIMTnzE7oA

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 04:14 PM

Thanks bigchuck I'll give it a try. If anyone wants to check out the old time scene over here in the uk try this site. www.FOAOTMAD.org.uk click on the Sacrewell interactive site, log in the members login with. ( sacrewell_camp and password visitor ) check out the site and photo's, Cheers to all Oombanjo.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: bigchuck
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 03:47 PM

Sounds to me like Em on the guitar. I make the chords to be:
Em      /Em       B7    / Em            Am / Em       Am B7 Em/.
Maybe you can come up with a tuning that could fit that pattern.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 03:21 PM

Thanks Peace I tried dropping the B to G minor and putting it up to a C for G modal, the nearest I get is capo 5 in modal but the sound is to high, maybe I should de tune to F modal. Thanks for the help. JY.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: Peace
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 11:42 PM

Sounds like a modal tuning to me.

Subject: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 05:02 AM

Does anyone know what tuning this old gem is played out of. Cheers Oombanjo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 11:22 PM

My recollection of the song from half a century back is akin to that of Padre. As to the sentiment of "dying easy", I'll always treasure a comment from my old mate "Tonks" - who, thankfully, passed away in the same way.

"He went to sleep, and woke up dead"....

Oh, that we all could do the same. There's a thought in there for song spinners who 'want to die easy'...

I'm toasting "Tonks" with a VERY LARGE whisky..

May we all 'Die Easy' -despite our sins....

Slainté - Sam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 06:20 PM

The Rock Creek version is on "Sharon Mountain Harmony" - Folk-Legacy CD-86.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 01:03 PM

I thank you all for your input. I know the tune a little better now. I think Dwight Diller revised the song a bit to suit his style as it differs in meter somewhat, but he definitely based his version on the older spirtual.
Stew

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM

Yes, that's the version that Sam Hinton recorded. Bob

Subject: ADD: I Want to Die Easy
From: Padre
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:57 AM

Rock Creek used to sing a version that went:

I WANT TO DIE EASY

I want to die easy when I die (x2)
I want to die easy when I die, shout salvation as I fly
I want to die easy when I die

I want to see my mother when I die (x2)
I want to see my mother when I die, shout salvation as I fly
I want to die easy when I die


{The rest was zipper verses (father, sister, brother) ending with}

I want to see Jesus when I die

Padre

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:54 AM

Stewart, I just e-mailed you about this record. Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 09:36 PM

It's easy to do these days. You can get the stuff in a bottle. Natural fibers work best though.

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 03:18 PM

The version I have starts out:

I want to die easy when I die,
I want to die easy when I die,
When the room goes dark and death creeps into your heart,
I want to die easy when I die.

A bit depressing it would seem, but a nice melody just moves it right along.

Is this the one you have Deckman?
Thanks Stew

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 02:37 PM

Stew, I have an old Sam Hinton record where he is singing a song by this title. Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: mack/misophist
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 02:12 PM

Can't find the words but Dover Paperbacks has a book in print that has them: Best Loved Negro Spirituals. Sorry.

Subject: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 01:40 PM

I have an old cassette with Dwight Diller singing this tune. His words are not understandable in most of the verses. Hopefully someone is familiar with this song and could post the lyrics. Thanks for any help.
Stew