Death Letter Lyrics - Original Delta Blues - Son House

I got a letter this mornin, how do you reckon it read? 

It said, "Hurry, hurry, yeah, your love is dead." 

I got a letter this mornin, I say how do you reckon it read? 

You know, it said, "Hurry, hurry, how come the gal you love is dead?" 

So, I grabbed up my suitcase, and took off down the road. 

When I got there she was layin on a coolin board. 

I grabbed up my suitcase, and I said and I took off down the road. 

I said, but when I got there she was already layin on a coolin board. 

Well, I walked up right close, looked down in her face. 

Said, the good ole gal got to lay here til the Judgement Day. 

I walked up right close, and I said I looked down in her face. 

I said the good ole gal, she got to lay here til the Judgement Day. 

Looked like there was 10,000 people standin round the buryin ground. 

I didn't know I loved her til they laid her down. 

Looked like 10,000 were standin round the buryin ground. 

You know I didn't know I loved her til they damn laid her down. 

Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul. 

I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold. 

I said, Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul. 

You know I wouldn't mistreat nobody, baby, not for my weight in gold. 

Well, I folded up my arms and I slowly walked away. 

I said, "Farewell honey, I'll see you on Judgement Day." 

Ah, yeah, oh, yes, I slowly walked away. 

I said, "Farewell, farewell, I'll see you on the Judgement Day." 

You know I went in my room, I bowed down to pray. 

The blues came along and drove my spirit away. 

I went in my room, I said I bowed down to pray. 

I said the blues came along and drove my spirit away. 

You know I didn't feel so bad, til the good ole sun went down. 

I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around.