Rosewood Casket

Cat. #0382 (MFH #356) - As sung by Mr. Dillard Reeves, Huntsville, Arkansas on July 30, 1959

VERSE 1
In a little rosewood casket
That is resting on a stand
Is a package of ole letters
Written by a lovers hand

VERSE 2
Will you go and get them, Sister
Will you read them o'er to me
For oft' times I've tried to read them
But for tears, I could not see

VERSE 3
You have got them now, dear Sister
Come an' set, beside my bed
An' press gently to your bosom
My poor throbbing, aching head

VERSE 4
Tell him that, I never blamed him
Not an unkind word was spoke
Tell him tell, O, tell him Sister
That my heart is cold and broke

VERSE 5
Read each precious line, so slowly
That you will not miss a one
For th precious hand that wrote them
His last word to me is done

VERSE 6
Tell him, that I never blamed him
Tho' to me he proved untrue
Tell him, that I'll never forget him
Till I bid this world adieu

VERSE 7
When I'm dead an' in my casket
An' my shroud around me fold
An' my narrow grave is ready
In some pleasant church yard go

VERSE 8
Place his letter an' his locket
All together on my heart
And that little ring, he gave me
Never from my finger part

VERSE 9
You have finished now, dear Sister
Will you read them o'er again
While I listen to you read them
I will lose all sign of pain
While I listen to you read them
I will gently fall asleep
To awake again with Jesus
Darling Sister, do not weep

Variants