Bury Me not on the Lone Prairie
Composer:
American folk song
Genre: World / Folk
Decade: before 1923
Submitted by: Russell Ambrose
Description:
From Wikipedia"Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" is a cowboy folk song. Also known as "The Cowboy`s Lament", "The Dying Cowboy" and "Bury Me Out on the Lone Prairie", the song is described as the most famous cowboy ballad. Based on a sailor`s song, the song has been recorded by many artists, including Moe Bandy, Johnny Cash, Burl Ives, Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers and William Elliott Whitmore.Contents 1 History2 Premise3 Lyrics3.1 Alternative versions4 Recordings5 References[edit]HistoryThe ballad is an adaptation of a sea song called "The Sailor`s Grave" or "The Ocean-Burial" which began "O bury me not in the deep, deep sea." Originally collected with different music than that widely known today, it first appeared in print with the present melody in 1932, with a likely origin of North Carolina, though the speaker at that time requested—contrary to other renditions—to "bury me out on the lone prairie."[6]The song has been a popular recording, having been released on album by Moe Bandy, Johnny Cash, Burl Ives, Tex Ritter, and Roy Rogers, among others.[7][8] Even avante-garde musicians, The Residents, have covered the song for live performances. Under the alternate title "Bury Me Out on the Lone Prairie", it has been recorded by Johnnie Ray.A version of this song was used in the popular video game Red Dead Redemption, sung by William Elliott Whitmore.[edit]PremiseThe song records the plaintive request of a dying man not to be buried on the prairie, away from civilization. In spite of his request, he is buried on the prairie. As with many folk songs, there are a number of variations of that basic theme.LyricsThis version of the lyrics date back to the early 19th century."O bury me not on the lone prairie."These words came low and mournfullyFrom the pallid lips of the youth who layOn his dying bed at the close of day.He had wasted and pined `til o`er his browDeath`s shades were slowly gathering nowHe thought of home and loved ones nigh,As the cowboys gathered to see him die."O bury me not on the lone prairieWhere coyotes howl and the wind blows freeIn a narrow grave just six by three—O bury me not on the lone prairie""It matters not, I`ve been told,Where the body lies when the heart grows coldYet grant, o grant, this wish to meO bury me not on the lone prairie.""I`ve always wished to be laid when I diedIn a little churchyard on the green hillsideBy my father`s grave, there let me be,O bury me not on the lone prairie.""I wish to lie where a mother`s prayerAnd a sister`s tear will mingle there.Where friends can come and weep o`er me.O bury me not on the lone prairie.""For there`s another whose tears will shed.For the one who lies in a prairie bed.It breaks me heart to think of her now,She has curled these locks, she has kissed this brow.""O bury me not..." And his voice failed there.But they took no heed to his dying prayer.In a narrow grave, just six by threeThey buried him there on the lone prairie.And the cowboys now as they roam the plain,For they marked the spot where his bones were lain,Fling a handful o` roses o`er his graveWith a prayer to God his soul to save.
by: Russell Ambrose