—Jeff Michael & Johnny Williams' version, originally Lloyd Chandler 1920's
Well what is this I cannot see
With icey hands taking hold of me
Well I am death none can excel
I open the doors to heaven or hell
Oh I come for to take your soul
To leave your body and leave it cold
To drop the flesh from off of your frame
The earth and worms both have their claim
Oh death oh death please give me time
To fix my heart and change my mind
Your heart is fixed your doom is bound
I have the shackles to drag you down.
Too late, too late to all farewell
My heart is fixed and summoned to hell
As long as God in heaven shall dwell
My soul, my soul shall scream in hell
Verse:
| I | I | V | I |
| I-IV | I | I-V | I |
Ralph Stanley's version:
Oh death, Oh death
Won't you spare me over til another year
Well what is this that I can't see
With ice cold hands taking hold of me
Well I am death none can excel
I'll open the door to heaven or hell
Whoa death someone would pray
Could you wait to call me another day
The children pray the preacher preached
Time and mercy is out of your reach
I'll fix your feet til you can't walk
I'll lock your jaw til you can't talk
I'll close your eyes so you can't see
This very hour come and go with me
In death I come to take the soul
Leave the body and leave it cold
To drop the flesh off of the frame
The earth and worms both have a claim
Oh death, Oh death
Won't you spare me over til another year
My mother came to my bed
Place a cold towel upon my head
My head is warm my feet are cold
Death is a movin upon my soul
Oh death how you're treatin me
You close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin my body you make me cold
You run my life right out of my soul
Oh death please consider my age
Please don't take me at this stage
My wealth is all at your command
If you'll remove your icy hands
Oh the young the rich or poor
All alike to me you know
No wealth no land no silver or gold
Nothin satisfies me but your soul
Oh death, Oh death
Won't you spare me over til another year
Won't you spare me over til another year
Won't you spare me over til another year