Bury my heart in a shallow grave
cover me over like dew on the ground

Wake me on Saturday in the old juke joint way
with a song of down home, country head rocking blues
then pray and shout me heavenward bound, Sunday
When they sing the spiritual in the "Sweet By and By"

Bury my heart in a  shallow grave
cover me over like dew on the ground

Tell them throw no flowers on my open grave
if they could not give them to me when I could see
what good are they to me just cause they grieve

I say bury my heart in a shallow grave
cover me over like dew on the ground

Then send me off toasting the old fashion way
place my picture at the head of the feasting table
serve me fried chicken and mashed potatoes
place a napkin, to catch tears and gravy drippins

Bury my heart in a shallow grave
cover me over like dew on the ground

Had my muddy river water baptism a long ago
don't worry bout where my soul might go
cause now it's bout yours, don't you know

Just bury my heart in a shallow grave
cover me over like dew on the ground