O Death

O Death, O Death,
Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?
Well what is this that I can’t see,
With ice-cold hands taking hold of me?
Well I am Death, none can excel,
I’ll open the door to Heaven or Hell.
«O Death» Someone would pray,
«Could you wait to call me
'til another day.»
The children pray, the preacher preach,
Time and mercy is out of your reach.
O Death, O Death,
Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?
I’ll fix your feet 'til you can’t walk,
I’ll lock your jaw 'til you can’t talk
I’ll close your eyes so you can’t see,
This very hour, come and go with me.
An' if I come to take the soul,
Leave the body and leave it cold,
Drop the flesh off of the frame,
The earth and worms both have a claim.
My mother came to my bed,
Placed a cold towel upon my head.
My head is warm, my feet are cold,
Death is a-movin' upon my soul.
O Death, how you’re treating me,
You closed my eyes so I can’t see;
But you hurt my body, you make me cold,
You run my life right out of my soul.
O Death, O Death,
Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?
O Death, please consider my age,
Please don’t take me at this stage.
My wealth is all at your command,
If you remove your icy hand.
All the young, the rich or poor,
Are all alike to me you know.
No wealth, no land, no silver or gold,
Nothing satisfies me but your soul.
O Death, O Death,
Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?
O Death, O Death,
Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?
O Won’t you spare me over 'til another year?