I would rather be buried in some cypress grove 
I would rather be buried in some cypress grove 
To have some woman, Lord, that I can't control 
And I'm goin' away now, I'm goin' away to stay 
And I'm goin' away now, I'm goin' away to stay 
That'll be all right, pretty mama, you gonna need my help someday 
And the sun goin' down, and you know what your promise means 
And the sun goin' down, you know what your promise means 
And what's the matter, baby, I can't see 
I would rather be dead and six feet in my grave 
I would rather be dead and six feet in my grave 
Than to be way up here, honey, treated this a-way 
And the old people told me, baby, but I never did know 
The old people told me, baby woman, but I never did know 
"The good book declare you got to reap just what you sow" 
When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold 
When your knee bone's achin' and your body cold 
Means you just gettin' ready, honey, for the cypress grove