I'd Rather Be Dead

DESCRIPTION: "I rather be dead an' laid in de dirt Than to see my gal with her feelin's hurt." "I rather be dead an' laid in de sand Than to see my gal with another man." "I rather be dead an' laid in de ground Than to see my gal in anoder weddin' gown."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1916 (White)
KEYWORDS: death jealousy burial
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Brown/Belden/Hudson-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore3 443, "I'd Rather Be Dead" (1 text)
Brown/Schinhan-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore5 443, "I'd Rather Be Dead" (1 tune plus a text excerpt)
Roud #11780
NOTES [25 words]: I suspect this is a fragment of something longer, in which the singer explains the reason for his jealousy. But I can't say what the longer piece is. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.1
File: Br3443

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