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17 messages

Lyr Req/Add: I Want to Die Easy

14 Jun 04 - 01:40 PM (#1207051)
Subject: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew

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

14 Jun 04 - 02:12 PM (#1207079)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: mack/misophist

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

14 Jun 04 - 02:37 PM (#1207098)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman

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

14 Jun 04 - 03:18 PM (#1207123)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew

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

14 Jun 04 - 09:36 PM (#1207360)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: The Fooles Troupe

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

Robin

15 Jun 04 - 09:54 AM (#1207702)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman

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

15 Jun 04 - 09:57 AM (#1207703)
Subject: ADD: I Want to Die Easy
From: Padre

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

15 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM (#1207743)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Deckman

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

16 Jun 04 - 01:03 PM (#1208704)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: GUEST,Stew

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

16 Jun 04 - 06:20 PM (#1208897)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Sandy Paton

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

16 Jun 04 - 11:22 PM (#1209054)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I want to die easy
From: Billy the Bus

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

05 Mar 06 - 05:02 AM (#1685433)
Subject: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo

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

05 Mar 06 - 11:42 PM (#1686168)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: Peace

Sounds like a modal tuning to me.

07 Mar 06 - 03:21 PM (#1687567)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo

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.

07 Mar 06 - 03:47 PM (#1687593)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: bigchuck

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

07 Mar 06 - 04:14 PM (#1687620)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Wanna Die Easy When I Die
From: oombanjo

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.

21 Aug 21 - 03:48 AM (#4117315)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: I Want to Die Easy
From: Joe Offer

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