Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie
Eternal Rest on the Open Plains
Lyrics
Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie
Expresses a wish not to be buried on the desolate prairie.
These words came low and mournfully
Describes the utterance as quiet, sorrowful, and melancholic.
From the pallid lips of a youth who lay
Attributed to a pale, dying youth.
On his dying bed at the close of day
Specifies the setting as the end of the day, possibly emphasizing the approaching death.
"Oh, bury me not", and his voice failed there
Continuation of the youth's plea, halted by his failing voice.
But they took no heed to his dying prayer
Indicates disregard for the dying request by those present.
In a narrow grave just six by three
Details the small, confined grave prepared for the deceased.
They buried him there on the lone prairie
Specifies the burial location as the desolate prairie against the dying wish.
Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie
Reiterates the plea not to be buried in the lonely prairie.
Where the coyotes howl and the wind blows free
Highlights the harsh conditions of the prairie with howling coyotes and free-blowing winds.
Where there's not a soul that will care for me
Expresses the fear of being forgotten and uncared for in death.
Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie
Restates the plea against being buried on the lonesome prairie.
And the cowboys now as they roam the plains
Introduces cowboys wandering the plains, possibly searching for the youth's resting place.
For to mark the spot where his bones were lain
Describes the cowboys marking the location where the youth's remains lie.
Fling a handful of roses over his grave
Depicts a symbolic act of remembrance – tossing roses over the grave.
With a prayer to god for his soul to save
Connects the gesture with a prayer for the deceased's soul to be saved by God.
With a prayer to god for his soul to save
Reiterates the prayer for divine salvation for the departed soul.
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