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Dave Matthews — Gravedigger (acoustic)
Album: Some Devil
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 733









Released: 2003
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Cyrus Jones, 1810 to 1913
Made his great-grandchildren believe you could live to 103
103 is forever when you're just a little kid
So, Cyrus Jones lived forever

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain?
Gravedigger...

Muriel Stonewall, 1903 to 1954
She lost both of her babies in the second great war.
Now, you should never have to watch
As your own children are lowered in the ground,
No, you should never have to bury your own babies

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain?
Gravedigger...

Ring around the rosey
Pocket full of posey
Ashes to ashes
We all fall down

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain?
Gravedigger...

Little Mikey Carson, '67 to '75
He rode his bike like the devil until the day he died
When he grows up he wants to be
Mr. Vertigo on the flying trapeze
Oh, 1940 to 1992

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain?

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain,
I can feel the rain, I can feel the rain?

Gravedigger, when you dig my grave,
Could you make it shallow,
So that I can feel the rain?
Gravedigger...

Gravedigger...
Comments (76)add comment
She's female.


 Limpopoking wrote:
Awesome... I just don't understand the hate for this genius artist.
 

Posted 3 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
It's doubtful the gravedigger can make the grave as shallow as this song.
Posted 3 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
I am fairly sure that those guitars are not acoustic.
Posted 3 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Not a DMB fan... But really like this song
Posted 4 years ago by mleidig    [ Reply ]
So much hate from the listeners about Dave, too bad, such a cool song. 
Posted 4 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
love him, song is too depressing
Posted 4 years ago by jmjohall    [ Reply ]
 Highlowsel wrote:
I have to agree with the sentiments of others.  DM does passably well but the man I consider the very definition of ten miles of very bad road - in appearance - Willie Nelson, he did it better. 

But then again...this is the sort of song best sung, perhaps should only be sung, by someone who's lived a long life and by appearance can show you that he's done did a lot with it.  A life well and truly lived, eh? 

So it goes...for each and every one of us.  Nobody, and I mean noooo BODY, gets outta here alive....

Highlow
American Net'Zen
 I think of it differently, maybe because he lists the years.
I imagine he's walking in a graveyard, reading the inscriptions. And imagining what their lives were like. The mother who lost her children, the story would be right there, told by the headstones.

In Texas we have a number of 'Painted Churches', small rural churches that are ornately decorated inside. One of the larger ones is maybe an hour away, in Serbin. Fascinating history of the Wends, a Slavic ethnic group who emigrated in 1854.

Anyway, the churches have cemeteries, some still active, and it's fascinating to walk among the graves. Especially in the Potter's Field: many dozens of graves with home-made markers (if any marker at all).

Just my take on it.
c.



Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Dave Matthews Please Stop!
Posted 5 years ago by bwood11243    [ Reply ]
I have to agree with the sentiments of others.  DM does passably well but the man I consider the very definition of ten miles of very bad road - in appearance - Willie Nelson, he did it better. 

But then again...this is the sort of song best sung, perhaps should only be sung, by someone who's lived a long life and by appearance can show you that he's done did a lot with it.  A life well and truly lived, eh? 

So it goes...for each and every one of us.  Nobody, and I mean noooo BODY, gets outta here alive....

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 5 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
saw DMB a couple years ago... not impressed... This song? Not impressed. Actually, painful.
Posted 5 years ago by swtobias508    [ Reply ]
Willie Nelson's version of this is a solid 10.
Posted 5 years ago by DaveyRamone    [ Reply ]
I've never liked Dave Mathews much & this song certainly won't change my mind.  One of the very few songs I have totally hated on RP (enough to prompt my first ever comment).  Certain songs are like really bad acting performances where you just don't believe the character being portrayed.  Maybe it's just my disdain for DM, but I simply don't "believe" the lyrics in the song as being sung by this performer.  I found myself laughing at the absurdity of it, rather than feeling any emotion from it.
Posted 5 years ago by cheferelli    [ Reply ]
Sucky
Posted 5 years ago by jacopo777    [ Reply ]
My first thought upon seeing the album cover was the infamous Chicago bridge that their bus driver emptied their tanks onto.
Posted 5 years ago by baddog8it    [ Reply ]
This hurts.
Posted 5 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 igor wrote:
Is that the Fremont bridge in Seattle?
 
Sure looks like it. And the album was recorded in Seattle. 
Posted 5 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
Acoustic?  
Posted 9 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
{#Headache}  What was he thinking??
 
Posted 10 years ago by STLBubbles    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
Is it just me, or does yer man look a lot like the actor Keith Allen (father of Lily), famous for playing hardcases? Or maybe I'm just being put in mind of him by the song title, which makes me think of the brilliant dark comedy Shallow Grave in which Allen had a cameo.

Good song, well delivered, and moving. 8 from the Nottingham jury.

  I was thinking Jeremy Piven.


Posted 10 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
Is that the Fremont bridge in Seattle?
Posted 10 years ago by igor    [ Reply ]
Just another nail in the "I really don't like Dave Matthews" coffin
Posted 10 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
Is it just me, or does yer man look a lot like the actor Keith Allen (father of Lily), famous for playing hardcases? Or maybe I'm just being put in mind of him by the song title, which makes me think of the brilliant dark comedy Shallow Grave in which Allen had a cameo.

Good song, well delivered, and moving. 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Cannot like this song enough! I love the sound of Dave Matthews and the guitar.
Posted 11 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
 rvontha wrote:
I must admit, I like Willie Nelson's cover better. But this is a good tune, period.
 
It's a great tune, but thank you for alerting me to the cover.  I still prefer DM's original, but Willie's video is a good one.  Good lord, he's looking ancient.

Posted 11 years ago by MrRedwood    [ Reply ]
I must admit, I like Willie Nelson's cover better. But this is a good tune, period.
Posted 11 years ago by rvontha    [ Reply ]
{#Good-vibes}
Posted 11 years ago by peregrin8    [ Reply ]
Awesome... I just don't understand the hate for this genius artist.
Posted 12 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
Hauntingly beautiful. 8
Posted 12 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 Groogrux69 wrote:
I am a huge DMB & Dave Matthews fan.  This is one of the few songs by Dave that I don't like.
 

I have to agree.  This song never really did anything for me.
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
No wonder the man drinks.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
This song is awesome
Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 Groogrux69 wrote:

What a lame statement.  I have been to at least 14 shows in the last 15 years and in every instance I have met a bunch of really cool and mellow folks.  Never noticed any disgusting humans.
 
Fair enough, my friend. My wife and I were nearly trampled by a mob who broke down the barricades around the ticketed seats. At the same show, Dave had to stop and try to calm a situation in the first few rows. Security pulled people out to keep them from being crushed.

I am glad you had a lot of great experiences. I had one very scary one.

Oh yeah: Ozomatli opened for Dave, and they tore the place up! Outstanding shows every time I have seen them. Highly recommended.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Sure, of course he does. But I still like 'em both, a lot.

Plenty of folks can't stand DM, he was painfully overplayed for a long time, and his concert fans are among the most disgusting mob of humans I've ever seen. But I still like his music, in spite of those drawbacks.
 
What a lame statement.  I have been to at least 14 shows in the last 15 years and in every instance I have met a bunch of really cool and mellow folks.  Never noticed any disgusting humans.
Posted 12 years ago by Groogrux69    [ Reply ]
 MsJudi wrote:
Dreadful. A little less Dave Matthews, please, RP- you overplay him.
 

No they don't - not with only 14 songs by this relatively prolific and popular performer who on the surface would have more tunes here.
But he doesn't because probably Bill - like a lot of us regulars - really don't like old Dave.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Maybe that's why I like him so much. Happy or sad, his music seems loaded with emotion. Maybe that's why a lot of people can't stand him, too.
 
Lots of folks have trouble being emotional. I like DM. I have never seen him live, save for a very amazing DVD concert, but I would in a flash. Emotional and amazing artist. 
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Dave, You are amazing.
With love,
Shelly
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Sure, of course he does. But I still like 'em both, a lot.

Plenty of folks can't stand DM, he was painfully overplayed for a long time, and his concert fans are among the most disgusting mob of humans I've ever seen. But I still like his music, in spite of those drawbacks.
 
I'm an old, and I mean old, Dave fan. I've been to about 30 shows and I take offense at your characterization of "concert fans." What can possibly make you say something like that? Disgusting mob of humans? Excuse me?
Posted 12 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Ugh, DMB is SO lame. No place for them on RP. ;)
Posted 12 years ago by devilboy    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:
I suppose someone WILL dig my grave someday.  Sobering thought.
 
Not me .. I'm donating my corpse to Meharry University's medical school.  Cut cut cut!


Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 drife wrote:
Richard Thompson smokes DM and DMB any ol' day of the week.
  Sure, of course he does. But I still like 'em both, a lot.

Plenty of folks can't stand DM, he was painfully overplayed for a long time, and his concert fans are among the most disgusting mob of humans I've ever seen. But I still like his music, in spite of those drawbacks.

Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
I suppose someone WILL dig my grave someday.  Sobering thought.
Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
Great song but this is much better Live.  Check it out on The Gorge album. 
Posted 13 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
Average at best to me.  I just don't think that Dave has done a lot that new or presents a different look or sound.  I suppose I should admit that what he does well, he's very good at, but I don't get a lot of variety in his songs. 

I haven't heard a ton of his stuff over the last several years, so I guess I don't have as much info as I should to really form an opinion...  it's just that what I have heard has just been uninspired feeling.
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
I am a huge DMB & Dave Matthews fan.  This is one of the few songs by Dave that I don't like.
Posted 13 years ago by Groogrux69    [ Reply ]
 MaK wrote:
It's to bad Dave doesn't fall in and die.
  

 

What a horrible thing to say!  MaK, you must live a miserable life to wish something like this... I don't get it, why so much hate?

I happen to be a fan of Dave Matthews, but I wouldn't wish something like this on anyone.

Pretty sad bunch, lots of haters out there.


Posted 13 years ago by Lazaerus    [ Reply ]
 stellablue wrote:
Love him or hate him, Dave lays it on the line with emotion in concert. I first heard this song a couple of years ago - Dave did in the encore set - just Dave, his guitar, and a single spotlight - pure!
  Maybe that's why I like him so much. Happy or sad, his music seems loaded with emotion. Maybe that's why a lot of people can't stand him, too.


Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Apparently Dave has a lot of haters out there, and they all listen to RP.   
 

Oh no, there are plenty out there who listen to other stations as well and they (I) think he sucks too, I assure you.{#Yes} He is basically lame and uncool anymore; his music does not wear well with listen and age.{#No}

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Apparently Dave has a lot of haters out there, and they all listen to RP.   
Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Well that was uplifting.
Posted 13 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
I like it.
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
I do not like this sucker
Posted 13 years ago by gjones    [ Reply ]
No love for Dave here :((
Posted 13 years ago by flapser    [ Reply ]
love the Willy Nelson cover of this


also why is the Rock on the album cover? Never understood that one.
Posted 13 years ago by Decoy    [ Reply ]
love it
Posted 13 years ago by muzik    [ Reply ]
last played on RP in 2004... i agree with the post below about preferring "Happy Dave" to the current death-focused 'depressed dave'.
Posted 13 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
drH wrote:
A FAR FAR better song than this --- also with a grave-digging motif -- is Richard Thompson's Sam Jones, from his You, Me, Us? album.
Richard Thompson smokes DM and DMB any ol' day of the week.
Posted 20 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
Please, please no more DM.
Posted 20 years ago by drife    [ Reply ]
A FAR FAR better song than this --- also with a grave-digging motif -- is Richard Thompson's Sam Jones, from his You, Me, Us? album.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
damn that song sends chills down my spine
Posted 20 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
Love him or hate him, Dave lays it on the line with emotion in concert. I first heard this song a couple of years ago - Dave did in the encore set - just Dave, his guitar, and a single spotlight - pure!
Posted 20 years ago by stellablue    [ Reply ]
Hopefully, someday soon, people will realize that DM really stinks, stoned or not.
Posted 20 years ago by fuzzydave    [ Reply ]
morbidly good.
Posted 20 years ago by plundis    [ Reply ]
incredible version. love this song
Posted 21 years ago by DavidCarrico    [ Reply ]
littleRoom wrote:
:D love this version, go dave!
I might actually prefer this to the "regular" version. Good stuff.
Posted 21 years ago by mperry    [ Reply ]
:D love this version, go dave!
Posted 21 years ago by littleRoom    [ Reply ]
Dave Matthews Band is great, but this song is getting a little too much attention... I suggest a less frequent rotation.
Posted 21 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
Very nice..... liking DMB more and more
Posted 21 years ago by frankydee    [ Reply ]
eric wrote:
Noooooooo. I beg you Bill, enough of this one!
so agreed! it would be nice to hear more from the lillywhite sessions. that stuff is so much more of what dave matthews band used to be.
Posted 21 years ago by sar5w    [ Reply ]
Noooooooo. I beg you Bill, enough of this one!
Posted 21 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
Dreadful. A little less Dave Matthews, please, RP- you overplay him.
Posted 21 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
What happened to the Dave who sang \"Would you not like to be sitting on top of the world with your legs hanging free?\" and \"Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die\" ?? So many of his early songs were about enjoying life in spite of the inevitability of death, but now it sounds like he\'d rather hang around in a graveyard and look on with envy as coffins are lowered into graves. Sorry, but I prefer \"Happy Dave\"
Posted 21 years ago by harpsm    [ Reply ]
It\'s to bad Dave doesn\'t fall in and die.
Posted 21 years ago by MaK    [ Reply ]
mmm ... dark mood for this morning, fits the fog hanging over Santa Cruz ... I don\'t mind being pulled into this grave mindset since it is so well done. - quaid, somewhere twixt the womb and the grave
Posted 21 years ago by quaid    [ Reply ]
BILL!!! Thanks for playing this - the electric version is awesome too - very intense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the video is SCARY, but kick ass!!! Some Devil - In stores on 9/23/03!!!
Posted 21 years ago by gypsy222    [ Reply ]