And when I die, dear Lord in Heaven
If on this earth not much I own
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
Please let me see the sunshine one more time
When will I lay these burdens down
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
I have the love of my sweet children
Yeah, when I die, dear Lord in Heaven
When oh when will it be over
An old plow mule, a shovel and a hoe
And when I die, dear Lord in Heaven
When will I lay these burdens down
When oh when will it be over
And I still hear my dear old mother cry
When will I lay these burdens down
I have no shame, I feel no sorrow
When late that night they came and told her
He'd lost his life down in the Big Shoal Mine
When oh when will it be over
And when I die, dear Lord in Heaven
I still grieve for my poor brother
Please take my soul from 'neath that cold dark ground
I say a prayer to my dear Savior
