Observations placeholder
Anon - The Unquiet grave
Identifier
010884
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Unquiet grave is yet another ballad that expresses a ‘widespread belief across Europe’ according to Wikipedia, that disembodied souls can also stem from the excessive clinging on by the living to the dead. That the dead are prevented from moving on by the excessive grief of their loved ones.
If you follow the link you can hear it sung beautifully by Luke Kelly.
A description of the experience
The Wind doth blow today, my love,
And a few small drops of rain;
I never had but one true-love,
In cold grave she was lain.
I'll do as much for my true-love,
As any young man may;
I'll sit and mourn all at her grave
For a twelvemonth and a day.
The twelvemonth and a day being up,
The dead began to speak:
'Oh who sits weeping on my grave,
And will not let me sleep?
'Tis I, my love, sits on your grave,
And will not let you sleep;
For I crave one kiss of your clay-cold lips,
And that is all I seek.
You crave one kiss of my clay-cold lips;
But my breath smells earthly strong;
If you have one kiss of my clay-cold lips,
Your time will not be long.
"Tis down in younder garden green,
Love, where we used to walk,
The finest flower that ere was seen
Is withered to a stalk.
The stalk is withered dry, my love,
So will our hearts decay;
So make yourself content, my love,
Till God calls you away.