Geeshie Wiley's 'Last Kind Words'

Geeshie Wiley
(c. 1908–c. mid-1950s)

Last Kind Words
recorded 1930: MP3

Transcription by Charles Bernstein:

The last — kind words —
I hear’d my — daddy say — 
Lord — the last kind words —
I — hear’d my daddy say:

“If I die — if I die — 
in the — German war —
I — want you to send my body —
send it — to my mother, Lord.

“If I get killed — if I get killed —
please don’t — bury my soul.
I — prof’er just leave me out —
let ya buzzards eat me whole.

“When you see — me comin’ —
look ’cross the —  rich man’s field —
if — I don’t bring you flour —
I’ll — bring you bolted meal.”

I went — to the depot —
I looked up — at the stars —
cried — some train don’t come —
there’ll be some walkin’ done.

My ma-ma — told me —
just before she died —
Lord — precious daughter — 
don’t you be so wild.

The Missis-sippi river — 
you know it’s — deep and wide —
I — can stand right here —
see my babe from the other side.

What you do — to me baby —
it never gets outta me —
I — may not see you — 
after I cross the deep blue sea.