The Wailing Boat - Blind Willie McTell

You must lay some flowers on my grave

You must lay some flowers on my grave

My mother and father have gone

Left me in this world alone

You must lay some flowers on my grave

My father was a roll sport and a gambler too

And he loved makin' and just singin' the blues

I hope my heart will change

I don’t want to die the same

You must lay some flowers on my grave

Put a wreath of flowers at my right side

Then you’ll know that McTell’s satisfied

Put a bouquet in my breast

You know poor boy’s gone to rest

You must lay some flowers on my grave

Now when this old building is fallin' down

Just lay me six feet in the cold, cold ground

Wrap me up in the solid clay

'Cause I come here to die one day

Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

What a moaning glory at my hidden feet

Then you’ll know that McTell’s gone to sleep

On my headboard write my name

I leave 'em many girl’s heart in pain

Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Don’t snatch the pillow from under my head

Don’t grieve and worry after the days I’m dead

When I bid you this last goodbye

Don’t none of you womens cry

You just lay some flowers on my grave

Now when I’m gone, come no more

And

When you hear that coughing sound

You’ll know McTell is in the ground

Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Now when the poor boy’s dead and gone

I’m left in this old world all alone

When you hear that church bell toll

You’ll know McTell’s dead and gone

Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave