Lyrics:
Cypress Grove Blues [Live version (a)]:
[From August 6, 2002 version]
I would rather be buried, buried in some Cypress grove
I would rather be buried in some Cypress grove
Then have some ??
Going away now, I'm going away to stay
I'm going away now, I'm going away to stay
What's the matter baby? You're gonna leave me someday
I would rather be dead, six feet in my grave
I would rather be buried six feet in my grave
Gonna be around here baby, ??
When your kneebone's aching, mind is gonna go
When your kneebone's aching, and your mind is gonna go
??? fall under Cypress grove
[From August 6, 2002 version]
I would rather be buried, buried in some Cypress grove
I would rather be buried in some Cypress grove
Then have some ??
Going away now, I'm going away to stay
I'm going away now, I'm going away to stay
What's the matter baby? You're gonna leave me someday
I would rather be dead, six feet in my grave
I would rather be buried six feet in my grave
Gonna be around here baby, ??
When your kneebone's aching, mind is gonna go
When your kneebone's aching, and your mind is gonna go
??? fall under Cypress grove
The Song:
"Cypress Grove" is an old blues song by Skip James, one of Beck's favorite musicians.
Beck played the song live three times in August 2002, after having recorded it for a soundtrack in July. However, his recording for the film went unused, as Beck also did a version of James' song, "I'm So Glad" at the same time. That's the song the movie used. And thus, Beck's recording of "Cypress Grove Blues" remains unreleased.
Beck has also released his covers of Skip James' "Devil Got My Woman" and "Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader." For more about James, check out those pages.
"Cypress Grove" is an old blues song by Skip James, one of Beck's favorite musicians.
Beck played the song live three times in August 2002, after having recorded it for a soundtrack in July. However, his recording for the film went unused, as Beck also did a version of James' song, "I'm So Glad" at the same time. That's the song the movie used. And thus, Beck's recording of "Cypress Grove Blues" remains unreleased.
Beck has also released his covers of Skip James' "Devil Got My Woman" and "Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader." For more about James, check out those pages.
Live:
Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: August 6, 2002
Latest known live version: August 14, 2002
On the versions I've heard of this, Smokey played some bluesy slide guitar, and as always, Beck sounds great when he sings the blues.
Played live 3 times:
Earliest known live version: August 6, 2002
Latest known live version: August 14, 2002
On the versions I've heard of this, Smokey played some bluesy slide guitar, and as always, Beck sounds great when he sings the blues.
the original
Notes:
- Lyrics from Skip James' original (thanks John M.):
I would rather be buried in some cypress grove
I would rather be buried in some cypress grove
Than 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