Gravedigger
Dave and Friends Lyrics

The song "Gravedigger" by Dave Matthews and Friends is a highly emotional ballad that takes the listener through a journey of life, death, and the passage of time. The verses of the song recount three individuals' lives, Cyrus Jones, Muriel Stonewall, and Little Mikey Carson, and their deaths, providing commentary on the inevitability of death and the desire for a peaceful final resting place. The chorus shifts focus to the singer, pleading with the gravedigger to make their grave shallow, so they can feel the rain, suggesting a longing for a natural and connected death rather than an artificial and sanitized one. The song ends with a nursery rhyme, "Ring around the rosy, Pocket full of posy, Ashes to ashes, We all fall down," which is heavily associated with the bubonic plague, providing a grim reminder of the mortality that binds us all.

One interesting fact about "Gravedigger" is that it is a cover of a song by Australian artist Ray LaMontagne, who did not allow its use in the 2006 film "The Last Kiss" that Dave Matthews was working on at the time. Another is that Dave Matthews wrote the song shortly after the death of his uncle, and it has been speculated that the song's lyrics are inspired by his passing. Additionally, the song was released as a single in 2003, but only charted on the adult alternative charts, peaking at number 17.

In terms of chords, the song is generally played on an acoustic guitar, and consists of relatively simple fingerpicking patterns that emphasize the melancholic mood of the song. The chorus is played in G major, while the verses consist of Am, F, and C chords, with the occasional G and D chords thrown in for variation. While there are numerous variations on the song's chords and fingerpicking patterns, the basic structure is fairly straightforward.

Overall, "Gravedigger" is a deeply affecting song that deals with mortality and the passage of time in a way that is both poignant and relatable. The use of nursery rhymes and the recitation of the deceased's ages underscore the song's focus on the inevitability of death and the importance of cherishing each moment of life. Musically, the song is a masterclass in understated emotion, with Dave Matthews' vocals providing a haunting counterpoint to the sparse, fingerpicked guitar. Ultimately, "Gravedigger" is a song that is both beautiful and harrowing, reminding us all of the fragile beauty of life and the inevitability of death.