You must lay some flowers on my grave
You must lay some flowers on my grave
My mother and father have gone
Left me in this world alone
You must lay some flowers on my grave

My father was a roll sport and a gambler too
And he loved makin' and just singin' the blues
I hope my heart will change
I don't want to die the same
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Put a wreath of flowers at my right side
Then you'll know that McTell's satisfied
Put a bouquet in my breast
You know poor boy's gone to rest
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Now when this old building is fallin' down
Just lay me six feet in the cold, cold ground
Wrap me up in the solid clay
'Cause I come here to die one day
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

What a moaning glory at my hidden feet
Then you'll know that McTell's gone to sleep
On my headboard write my name
I leave 'em many girl's heart in pain
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Don't snatch the pillow from under my head
Don't grieve and worry after the days I'm dead
When I bid you this last goodbye
Don't none of you womens cry
You just lay some flowers on my grave

Now when I'm gone, come no more
And [Incomprehensible]
When you hear that coughing sound
You'll know McTell is in the ground
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Now when the poor boy's dead and gone
I'm left in this old world all alone
When you hear that church bell toll
You'll know McTell's dead and gone
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave