—The Carter Family
When death shall close these eyelids
And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay this soul to rest
In a flowery boundary tree
Chorus:
Will you miss me? (miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me? (miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me? (miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
When these lips shall never more
Place a kiss upon thy brow
When my eyes close still in death
Will you love me then as now?
Or perhaps you'll plant some flowers
On my cold and unworthy grave
Come and sit alone beside me
When the roses nod and wave
Verse:
| I | I | IV | I |
| I | I | V | V – I |
Chorus:
| I | I | 1/2 measure | IV | I | 1/2 measure |
| I | I | 1/2 measure | V | V – I | 1/2 measure |
Original Carter lyrics (1935):
When death shall close these eye lids
And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay me down to rest
In some flowery bound retreat
Chorus:
Will you miss me? (Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me? (Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me? (Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
Perhaps you'll plant a flower
On my poor unworthy grave
And come and sit alone beside me
When the roses nod and wave
When these footsteps ne'er are heard
And these lips are pale and cold
In a winding sheet of daisies
This frail body you'll enfold