Standard (EADGBE)

When my time to go is here,

Call my friends to gather near.

Tell the doctor and the preacher that I'm failing.

But forget about your black,

'Cause I'm planning to come back.

Play some honky-tonkin' grief and Dixie wailing.

Chorus

Pick me up and lay me down,

And spread the news all over town,

And tell 'em all to come or they'll be sorry.

Pick me up and shake me twice.

I'm coming back from paradise.

This poor boy is here to live in glory.

When it's time to say good-bye,

All my friends will sit and cry,

And they'll watch the coffin rockin' round and squirmin'.

Then they'll raise a mighty shout,

When my bones come marching out.

And I praise myself and preach the final sermon.

Chorus

When the Earth begins to quake,

From the shaking at my wake,

I'll be here and making music like a light wine [could be life line].

'Till the honky-tonkin' grief,

Gives the Angels sweet relief,

'Cause they know that Dixie wail is still surviving.

Chorus 2x