—The Carter Family
Oh they carried my mother to the burying ground ( x3 )
And watched the pallbearers let her down
Chorus:
Oh today has been a lonesome day ( x3 )
And tomorrow's gonna be the same old way
Did you ever hear a church bell toll ( x3 )
You may know by that she's dead and gone
Oh dig my grave with a silver spade ( x3 )
And mark the place where I must lay
There's one kind favor I ask of you ( x3 )
That's to see that my grave is kept green
Red Allen's version:
Oh they carried my girl to the burying ground ( x3 )
I cried oh Lord they lowered her down
Chorus:
Today has been a (long) lonesome day ( x3 )
Tomorrow's gonna be the same old way
Go dig my grave with a silver spade ( x3 )
And mark the spot where I must lay
Did you ever hear those church bells toll ( x3 )
That means by then I'm dead and gone
Verse:
| I – V | I | IV | I |
| IV | I | I – V | I |