[B-Chan]

“Oh Death” [Vocalion Vo02904]
Charley Patton and Bertha Lee

Oh Death
Oh Death
Oh Death
Just look, just look, just look, see what the Lord done, done
Just look, just look, just look, what the Lord done, done
Just look, well, Lordy, just look, just look what the Lord done done
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, somebody's calling me
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, somebody's calling me
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, somebody's calling me
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

Oh, death, oh, death, oh, death, oh, death done stole my mother and gone
Oh, death, oh, death, oh, death, oh, death done stole my mother and gone
Oh, death, oh, death, oh, death, oh, death done stole my mother and gone
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

Oh, move my pillow, then turn my bed around
Oh, move my pillow, then turn my bed around
Oh, move my pillow, then turn my bed around
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush somebody is calling me
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush somebody is calling me
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush somebody is calling me
Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long

[As recorded in New York City, 1 February 1934]

Source

[Straight Vermonter]

I was thinking of the Camper van Beethoven song O Death

My name is death and I excel
I can open the gates to heaven or hell
Cast aside the flesh of the
Cast aside and set you free
Oh-oh death, oh-oh-oh death,
Can’t you spare me over till another year
I lock their jaws so they can’t talk,
Stiffen their legs so they can’t walk
Close their eyes so they can’t see
The chill you feel, it comes from me
Oh ma-ma mama come to my bed
Place a cold rag on my head
My eyes are aching and I cannot see
I feel the sheet pulling over me