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John Prine — Please Don't Bury Me
Album: Sweet Revenge
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1859









Released: 1973
Length: 2:46
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Woke up this morning
Put on my slippers
Walked in the kitchen and died
And oh what a feeling!
When my soul
Went thru the ceiling
And on up into heaven I did ride

When I got there they did say
John, it happened this way
You slipped upon the floor
And hit your head
And all the angels say
Just before you passed away
These were the very last words
That you said:

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have 'em cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size

Give my stomach to Milwaukee
If they run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box
Just get "em" out of here
Venus de Milo can have my arms
Look out! I've got your nose
Sell my heart to the junkman
And give my love to Rose

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have 'em cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size


Give my feet to the footloose
Careless, fancy free
Give my knees to the needy
Don't pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walking cane
It's a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have 'em cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size
Comments (236)add comment
This is on my memorial set list… that’s for sure!
Posted 1 month ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
People giving this a low rating should get free counseling or psychiatric care!
Posted 4 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:

Anyone know who's singing backup on the chorus?



? Guess ? Iris Dement. They seemed to have had fun singing together and she could really bring the twang to his songs.
Posted 4 months ago by mrsquid    [ Reply ]
ah....the mailman poet from chicago
Posted 5 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Brilliant!!
Posted 1 year ago by hightail    [ Reply ]
This is a fun song. Love the lyrics. 
Posted 1 year ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
best lyrics ever
Posted 1 year ago by sailboy707    [ Reply ]
With due respect to those that dig him…
PSD.
Posted 1 year ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
Anyone know who's singing backup on the chorus?
Posted 1 year ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 mattenuttall wrote:


I'm liking this: Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones needs to be in there. Something from Dylan? Maybe One More Cup of Coffee?



I'll see your Dead Flowers with the original version by Townes Van Zandt and raise you White Gardenias by Justin Townes Earl.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 tgalvinize wrote:


My funeral playlist includes Bird On A Wire (Leonard Cohen) and A Man Needs A Maid (Neil Young).  I'm a woman but I share Neil's sentiment, gender be damned.


I'm liking this: Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones needs to be in there. Something from Dylan? Maybe One More Cup of Coffee?
Posted 2 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
God how I hate that twangy Country & Western sound. 
Posted 2 years ago by reallylost    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:

OMG, what a great idea, a funeral playlist!  These are two excellent choices, what else do you have?


My funeral playlist includes Bird On A Wire (Leonard Cohen) and A Man Needs A Maid (Neil Young).  I'm a woman but I share Neil's sentiment, gender be damned.
Posted 2 years ago by tgalvinize    [ Reply ]
 mjbaumann wrote:


C and W? seriously!
 
Sounds like folk to me, and that's a good thing!!!
Posted 3 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 Athyrius wrote:

Me either.  More of RP's descent into the mire of Country and Western.
 

C and W? seriously! Bluegrass...maybe. John Prine was a treasure. RIP!
Posted 3 years ago by mjbaumann    [ Reply ]
whoo hooo I was just wondering when I will finally hear all the Prine in Bill's playlist. I true treasure I had the pleasure of seeing live.

I wonder if that was what he said that fateful day?

RIP John, smoke that 9 mi long cigarette and enjoy the Happy Johnny!
Posted 3 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
RIP Mr. Prine!  (an earlier post on a J Hiatt tune suggested Hiatt passed....) though I figured a John had....Long Live RP and short live this damn virus. 
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Yes, I agree that John would have appreciated this one being played. He wouldn't want us to mope.
Posted 4 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
I first saw John Prine in a small auditorium on the UT campus about 1974. He was witty, and humble. Rest in peace, and God speed Mr Prine. 
Posted 4 years ago by sbondy    [ Reply ]
Godspeed John. Thank you for your perspective and talent. 
Posted 4 years ago by eeastridge    [ Reply ]
RIP John.
Damn you covid.
Posted 4 years ago by slav    [ Reply ]
Goodbye to one of the special ones.
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
 Pilsenaaa wrote:
Today I ve learned of John's passing RIP
 
Noooo....

Posted 4 years ago by mrsquid    [ Reply ]
Today I ve learned of John's passing RIP
Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
RIP brother John
Posted 4 years ago by keelo    [ Reply ]
Get well soon!
Posted 4 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
Sing on Brother John. 
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
When my time comes, someone needs to remember to play this during my memorial party.... for real....
Posted 4 years ago by triskele    [ Reply ]
I see the negative ratings for this song -- I get it, it's not everyone's cup of tea. But as a shy geek at the University of Waterloo in the 70's, singing this song in front of my Co-Op residence with my friend Marty M was a breakthrough. With Scott D, the three of us made up harmonies on the chorus -- what a blast. And, of course, the lyrics are hilarious. (Marty would make a joke about encouraging people to sign the Organ Donor portion of their driver's licenses.) :)
Posted 4 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
This is on my list of songs to sing at the service.
Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Considering the title of this tune is "Please Don't Bury Me" Mr. Prine very well could have been filling out the Organ Donor form and then was worried his sickly pallor would expedite the donation (not that the DMV expedites much) - 

I'm liking this, might even go 7 to 8....actually I just did...Long Live RP!!
 
8 --> 9 Love the convo!!!

Posted 4 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 Highlowsel wrote:
Sometimes I wonder where the muse for a song comes from, don't you?  I wonder if Sir John of the Prine clan came by this one while standing in line to renew his license at the DMV and filling out the organ donor form while waiting?  Juuuuust sayin'.......

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 
Considering the title of this tune is "Please Don't Bury Me" Mr. Prine very well could have been filling out the Organ Donor form and then was worried his sickly pallor would expedite the donation (not that the DMV expedites much) - 

I'm liking this, might even go 7 to 8....actually I just did...Long Live RP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
My favorite lyrical tidbit?

Put my socks in a cedar box,
Just get 'em outta here!

Perfection.
Posted 4 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Sometimes I wonder where the muse for a song comes from, don't you?  I wonder if Sir John of the Prine clan came by this one while standing in line to renew his license at the DMV and filling out the organ donor form while waiting?  Juuuuust sayin'.......

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 4 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
I used to go caving in my 20s, this was our unofficial anthem.
Posted 5 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:
just think... this same gentleman wrote "Angel From Montgomery"... just saying there's a lot more to Prine than some of his off-the-cuff novelty songs
 
There's also a lot more to his off-the-cuff novelty songs than we might think.
Posted 5 years ago by sergeant_x    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Don't know how many times I've sung this out loud while driving. Great to hear it again!
 
How fun for you.  I'll have to try that next time!
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
If you do not dig John Prine, you are simply not cool.  Period.

 
Well said my friend, well said.
Posted 5 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
how did he write a song so dumb and so clever at the same time??

john prine is a national treasure.
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 maryte wrote:
Got tickets to the invitation-only Austin City Limits taping for tonight!  When it airs in a couple of months, look for my grey-haired bobbing head up front (because that's where I plan to be)!
 
{#Clap} Cool.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Don't know how many times I've sung this out loud while driving. Great to hear it again!
Posted 5 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Yes!  Thank you, Bill.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Back when singer song writers are bad asses and singing songs about "the man". 

Now a days, they schill for the "the man". 
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Got tickets to the invitation-only Austin City Limits taping for tonight!  When it airs in a couple of months, look for my grey-haired bobbing head up front (because that's where I plan to be)!
Posted 5 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
One of those cases in which I like the lyrics but do not care for the music, but I can appreciate the whole package nonetheless.
Posted 6 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
Digging the transition from Dead Flowers.  Tapping my feet at my desk.
Posted 6 years ago by diannemck56    [ Reply ]
Pure Joy
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Best organ donor song I've heard today, heck, all week!
Posted 6 years ago by floydpink    [ Reply ]
Almost everything Prine writes and sings is God-like
Posted 6 years ago by Slick    [ Reply ]
Amen
Posted 6 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
just think... this same gentleman wrote "Angel From Montgomery"... just saying there's a lot more to Prine than some of his off-the-cuff novelty songs
Posted 7 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
{#Eek}
Posted 7 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
I taught this song to friends as we went through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in southern Louisiana. Funny, the things that stick with you. I think I will always associate this song with that experience.
Posted 7 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
 Bananda wrote:
Awful.

 

WONDERFUL! FUNNY!


Posted 7 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Awful.
Posted 7 years ago by Bananda    [ Reply ]
 Athyrius wrote:

Me either.  More of RP's descent into the mire of Country and Western.

 
Singer-songwriters you don't either I guess.
Posted 8 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
"Have you ever noticed, when you're feeling really good
There's always a pidgeon, that'll come shit on your hood
Or you're feeling your freedom, and the world's off your back
Some cowboy from taxas, starts his own war in iraq"

Mr. Prine's a Joy!
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
If you do not dig John Prine, you are simply not cool.  Period.

 
His songs are so well crafted I'm puzzled how anyone could dislike him.
Posted 8 years ago by trevc    [ Reply ]
Interesting how "Hello in there" is not played on RP.  
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
If you do not dig John Prine, you are simply not cool.  Period.
Posted 8 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
I did not enjoy that
 
... I sure as hell did...
Posted 9 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
Ok, don't bury him but please bury this song  {#Sick}
Posted 9 years ago by Stylist    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
I did not enjoy that
 
Me either.  More of RP's descent into the mire of Country and Western.
Posted 9 years ago by Athyrius    [ Reply ]
I did not enjoy that
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
LOTS MORE PRINE PLEASE, BILL......{#Sunny}..( .iris too )...{#Dance}  {#Bananajumprope}

 
Oh yes, their album together is wonderful.
Posted 10 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
" TIME "  ( Has Come Today )  Chambers Brothers
 
'Bury Me Deep' by Poi Dog Pondering
'Dance On My Grave' by Seconds Flat 
Posted 10 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
When he says "look out, i got your nose' I laugh out loud every time.  Love me some John Prine!
Posted 10 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 philbertr wrote:

OMG, what a great idea, a funeral playlist!  These are two excellent choices, what else do you have?

 
" TIME "  ( Has Come Today )  Chambers Brothers










Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
LOTS MORE PRINE PLEASE, BILL......{#Sunny}..( .iris too )...{#Dance}  {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 tiggers wrote:
This sort of music is uniquely American or rather as a UK resident I wish it was!

 

because u brits only copy? or just KIDDING......because JP is a treasure.....
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
john prine is always worth a listen... and this is a brilliant tune.
Posted 10 years ago by docblume    [ Reply ]
Loved it! Keep playing please!!
Posted 10 years ago by daniel_rusk    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite Prine tunes
Posted 10 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 RobRyan wrote:

Funny, I don't even consider this to be "country music" per se. But DO keep playing it!

 

IF COUNTRY MUSIC WAS ALL THIS GOOD I WOULD MOVE THERE{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
This sort of music is uniquely American or rather as a UK resident I wish it was!
Posted 10 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Man, I just love singing this song. How many organ donor songs do you know? Actually, how many do we need? Why, just this one, thank you very much... Your mileage may vary however. Thank you John!
Posted 10 years ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
Yeeeee haaaaaww. Thigh slapping.
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
 mostling wrote:
I think John Prine got this one done well before Willie Nelson's "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die". I'll put both on my future funeral playlist.

 
OMG, what a great idea, a funeral playlist!  These are two excellent choices, what else do you have?
Posted 10 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
If Bob Dylan was to have a child with Arlo Guthrie...
Posted 10 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
I think John Prine got this one done well before Willie Nelson's "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die". I'll put both on my future funeral playlist.
Posted 11 years ago by mostling    [ Reply ]
Oh man. This is funny funny funny. {#Roflol} John Prine must keep a big pot of irony on the back burner.  Would love to see him live.
Posted 11 years ago by stargazer1    [ Reply ]
Saw him recently here in Austin. Still got it.
Posted 11 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Oh Goodie!!!! my funeral song fer sure!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
One of the best songwriters, if not THE best songwriter, alive today.
Posted 11 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]

What a freakin classic.

man, I hate t think this style of music dies with people like Prine, Dylan, etc.
Posted 11 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I'm gonna say "Yahoo" to this 'cuz I've been listening and playing some of his songs, lately.
Posted 11 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Brain to toes—-" Get to tapping, get in gear"—-   Toes to brain— " We are miles ahead of you just look in the mirror"

Posted 11 years ago by That_SOB    [ Reply ]
Put the E in eclectic.  Good spicy addition.
Posted 11 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
 DanO-1 wrote:
Wise choice John. You made the right decision. Delivering mail in Chicago in January must suck. It could bury one in the cold, cold ground.  Stick to music.
 
Plus if I remember the story correctly, he really wasn't much of a postal carrier. Probably broke some federal laws along the way. Good thing he turned to songwriting instead...
Posted 11 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Prine is one of the most consistently funny and entertaining singer songwriters around. This isn't country music, but he's adopted the lovelorn lonely storytelling of that format to sound off with serious satire. 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Love it!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Enano    [ Reply ]
everyone here be tappin' their toes
Posted 12 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 AndreasL wrote:
No country-music, PLEASE!
 
Funny, I don't even consider this to be "country music" per se. But DO keep playing it!
Posted 12 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
 AndreasL wrote:
No country-music, PLEASE!
 
No comments from AndreasL, PLEASE!  (See how silly that looks? {#Wink} ) RP is all about variety, diversity, and magic. Open your mind and if you don't like what's playing, let it flow through you until the next song. It's not so difficult, and it makes the ride so much more fun!

Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I've said it before here....but this is the song I want at my funeral!!!!!!!!!!! 
Posted 12 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]

"Some Humans Ain't Human" by John Prine:

uuum-huuum ummm-huuum
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum

Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
You open up their hearts, and here's what you'll find
A few frozen pizzas, some ice cubes with hair
A broken popsicle, you don't wanna go there

Some humans ain't human, though they walk like we do
They live and they breath, just to turn the old screw
They screw you when your sleepin', they try to screw you blind
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind

You might go to church, and sit down in a pew
Those humans who ain't human, be sitting right next to you
They talk about your family, they talk about your clothes
When they don't know their own ass, from there own elbows

Jealousy and stupidity, don't equal harmony
Jealousy and stupidity, don't equal harmony
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum

Have you ever noticed, when you're feeling really good
There's always a pidgeon, that'll come shit on your hood
Or you're feeling your freedom, and the world's off your back
Some cowboy from taxas, starts his own war in iraq

Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind
They lie through their teeth, with their head up their behind
You open up their hearts and here's what you'll find
Some humans ain't human, some people ain't kind

uuum-huuum ummm-huuum
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum
uuum-huuum ummm-huuum

Posted 12 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
What fun!
Posted 12 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by lynncorry1964    [ Reply ]
 AndreasL wrote:
No country-music, PLEASE!
 
Make that: More country-music, PLEASE!
Posted 12 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]

I ran into JP at the Kroger supermarket here a little while back and we discussed Squamous Cell cancer.  I am still having my Agent Orange related SC's removed.  He's fine and dandy, as usual; he had a SC cancer chopped out in 1998, btw.  What a guy.



Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
I left my heart in Papworth General... :o)
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
This is not country music!

 AndreasL wrote:
No country-music, PLEASE!
 


Posted 12 years ago by KermitDfrog    [ Reply ]
My buddies, Barry, Guido, and Chuck, and I played this among others during some amazing years in university. We played several campuses back then; I was never into blue grass, but I was pulled along by the masses and had fun doing it. This tune was a prominent part of the set. Thanks for the memories, Bill. Good times back in the day.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
No country-music, PLEASE!
Posted 12 years ago by AndreasL    [ Reply ]
Thank you Thank you Thank you I love anybody who likes a good JP tune - and this one is one of the best.
Posted 12 years ago by sweettone    [ Reply ]
John Prine got run over by a reindeer, walking home from my house Christmas eve.
Posted 12 years ago by amb599    [ Reply ]

Norah Jones - That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round, Live

Norah Jones performs the John Prine song "That's The Way That The World Goes 'Round".

"I get the chills when Miss Jones sings the part about the "naked eyes of a clown"  "  nineadamsrecords

 




Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
You think Elizabeth Taylor ever heard this one? 
Posted 13 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Fire bad.  Tree pretty.  I love John Prine's music. {#Sunny}
 
He's a treasure.  Sometimes Bill lets his KPIG/KFAT roots show, and I'm glad for it.

I like "give my knees to the needy"

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
More Prine please.
Posted 13 years ago by gabrielle7nt    [ Reply ]
Please stop playing this country stuff ...{#Puke}
Posted 13 years ago by Stylist    [ Reply ]
Thank goodness I can take my RP with me here to Taiwan!
Posted 13 years ago by kjf06    [ Reply ]
This guy is top shelf, he's been making great records since 1971...............Please play more
Posted 13 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
Ahhh, that's who sings that song. I have great memories of that Monty Python song... used to close a radio show every morning at 10 am, just as I was waiting for the bell to let us out of metal shop class in HS. Play it Bill, Play it!

btw, this is a great anthology if you want to check out more JP.

 fineweber wrote:
At my funeral, this followed by Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python. Yessss...
 

Posted 13 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
DAMN FINE PICKIN' AND DAMN FINE TUNE.
Posted 13 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
too much like Honky Tonk: not my cup of tea...
Posted 13 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
 dkwalika wrote:
Funny, I think John Prine is about as real as you can get. Not a phony bone in is body or his music.
 
Yep.

Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Fire bad.  Tree pretty.  I love John Prine's music. {#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

Love it!
This song has great memories attached to it for me.


Posted 13 years ago by flatpicker    [ Reply ]
At my funeral, this followed by Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python. Yessss...
Posted 13 years ago by fineweber    [ Reply ]