Oh Give Me a Tomb

O Give Me a Tomb

To the tune of “Home, Home on the Range”
Begun in 2004, Finished 12/11/09

O. Kris Widmer

A reflection on my Father’s desire to be buried in the land of his birth, North Dakota.



O give me a tomb
Where the wildflowers bloom
In Dakota, lay me ‘neath the sod.
Then one day I shall rise.
Meet me there, in the skies.
My home is the city of God.

Chorus
Home. Home with the Lord,
Where no death and no sorrow shall be.
We’ll sing with great mirth.
Dwelling on the new earth
And we’ll live through out eternity.

I’ve lived a good life
With my children and wife.
The Good Lord has been gracious to me.
And when after I die,
In Dakota, I’ll lie.
Where the North wind blows frigid and free.

I’m one of those hicks.
I was born in the sticks.
Then the whole world became my domain.
In death I shall be
Where my mother birthed me.
My last wish is a grave on the plain.

Have my corpse washed, then heaved.
Where my life was conceived
I would like to be there, near that spot.
For ‘twas there I began.
And ‘tis there are my clan.
And I’d like to go back there to rot.

Just put me in “park”
Where the ol’ Meadowlark
Sings her song on a rusty ‘ol fence.
Where the clover leaf grows,
Nibbled by grazing does.
Ship me off, for I’ve paid the expense.

My mom and dad died,
They are in Riverside.
And my brother’s in Colorado.
My first sister, (God save!)
Is in Michigan grave.
But it’s back to near Kulm I’ll go.

When I’m prepped for my crypt,
Just have my corpse shipped.
Write ND right there on the lid.
I don’t want to be “Urned.”
I’ll be buried, not burned.
Lay me down, where I was as a kid.

Write “Dakota or Bust”
and “In God, we DO trust.”
On the back of your ol’ Aerostar.
Then toss me inside
And take me for a ride.
And be glad I’m not close with a Czar!

In Dakota, I’ll rest.
And trust God for what’s best.
It’s the last thing I ask you to do.
Shed a tear, play a fife.
Then get back on with LIFE
Think of me when you eat a cashew!