DESCRIPTION:
From the High Atmosphere (1974)...Ballads and banjo tunes from Virginia and North Carolina, collected by John Cohen in November of 1965

Lloyd Chandler (1896-1978), was an itinerant Free Will Baptist preacher from Madison County, North Carolina. Although it is unclear in Cecil Sharp's diary, Lloyd may have been one of those who sang for Sharp in 1916. The notation in the diary lists a "Floyd" rather than Lloyd. There is controversy over his authorship of "Conversation with Death" (better known by the title "Oh Death"). People who knew Lloyd Chandler believe he wrote it while those who did not know him disagree. The soundtrack of the 2002 film "O Brother Where Art Thou" which included "Oh Death" won several Grammy Awards including Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "O Death" by Ralph Stanley as well as Album of the Year.

Photography by Dorothea Lange; John Cohen: Lloyd Chandler, family photo

Lyrics:

Oh, what is this I cannot see,
With icy hands get a hold of me.
Oh, I am Death, none can excel,
I open the doors of Heaven and Hell.

Oh death, oh death how can it be
That I must come and go with thee.
Oh death, oh death, how can it be.
I'm unprepared for eternity.

Yes, I have come to get your soul,
To leave your body and leave it cold,
To drop the flesh from off your frame,
The earth and worms both have their claim.

Oh death, oh death, if this be true,
Please give me time to reason with you.
From time to time you heard and saw
I'll close your eyes and I'll lock your jaws.

I'll lock your jaws so you can't talk,
I'll fix your feet so you can't walk,
I'll close your eyes so you can't see,
This very hour now come and go with me.

Oh death, oh death, consider my age
And don't take me at this stage,
My wealth now is all at your command
If you will only move your icy hand.

The old, the young, the rich, the poor,
They like you will have to go,
No age, no wealth, no silver, no gold,
Nothing satisfies me but your poor soul.

Oh death, oh death, please let me see
If Christ has turned his back on me.
When you were called and asked to bow,
You would not heed and it's too late now.

Oh death, oh death, please give me time
To fix my heart and change my mind.
Your heart is fixed, your mind is bound.
I have the shackles to drag you down.

Too late, too late, to all farewell,
Your soul is doomed, you are summoned to hell,
As long as God in Heaven shall dwell
Your soul, your soul shall scream in hell...