Lonesome Graveyard
Resting in the Arms of Time: Lightnin' Hopkins' Lonesome Graveyard Tale
Lyrics
Sleep on, sleep on, sleep on
Sleep peacefully, rest in eternal slumber
Little girl, sleep on, just sleep on
Addressing a young girl, encouraging her to continue sleeping
Sleep on, sleep on
Repetition of the encouragement to sleep peacefully
Little girl, just sleep on, sleep on
Continuation of the encouragement for the girl to sleep
Well, I know you're dead, resting darling, but one day
Acknowledgment of someone's death and their rest
I know the graveyard gonna be my home
Recognition that the graveyard will be the final resting place
Every living people got to die, human beings
Reflection on the inevitability of death for all humans
Mama was rocking by the window howling
Description of a mother grieving by the window
“My poor child is dead, yes, she's dead
Mother expressing sorrow for the death of her child
Yeah, you know my poor child is dead and gone”
Affirmation of the child's death
But made me feel so good, she said this
The mother's words bring comfort or solace to the speaker
Sleep on, sleep on, son
Continuation of encouraging someone to rest in peace
Do you know your mother is coming on?
Awareness of the mother's presence or spirit visiting
The graveyard ain't too beautiful
Acknowledgment that the graveyard may not be visually appealing
But it will give you a home so long
The graveyard provides a lasting home despite its appearance
I wouldn't mind dying
Expression of acceptance towards death
Poor Lightnin' would just have to lay dead so long
If Lightnin' dies, he would remain dead for a considerable time
Wouldn't mind dying
Reiteration of acceptance towards the idea of dying
But I'd have to lay dead so long
Acknowledgment of the prolonged period of being deceased
That I wouldn't have a chance
Expressing the extended absence in death
To come back here and tell my friends
Inability to return to the living world after death
No, nobody, what is going on
No communication or revelation about the afterlife to the living
Told my baby, don't worry if I die
Assurance to a loved one not to worry if the speaker dies
Darling, I know I'm gonna leave your little bed warm
Confidence that the speaker will leave a warm memory behind
Don't worry if poor Lightnin' lay down and die
Reiteration of the request not to worry about the speaker's death
'Cause I'm gonna leave your little bed very warm
Promise to leave a comforting memory for the loved one
You know, I can't worry when I'm dead and gone, but one thing
Expressing an absence of worry in the afterlife
Little girl, I know you is coming home
Anticipating the return or reunion with a loved one in the afterlife
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