See that my grave is kept clean

Blind Lemon Jefferson was a blues guitarist born in East Texas of sharecroppers. He was taken north to Chicago when 1925 turned in 1926. He recorded, on a 78, in October 1927 the song, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean". It sold enough, to be recorded for a second time in '28. At the time, such music by the lower class [whether it be 'colored', 'hillbilly', or any of many non-english foreigners] was a disposable product. In 1929 he had an heart attack in a snowstorm. The record company sent his body home by train, and he was buried in Wortham Negro Cemetery. The grave was unmarked.

Bob Dylan sang the song on his first album [1962]. Since then it has been covered by others.

Well, there's one kind of favor I'll ask of you
Well, there's one kind of favor I'll ask of you
There's just one kind of favor I'll ask of you
You can see that my grave is kept clean

And there's two white horses following me
And there's two white horses following me
I got two white horses following me
Waiting on my burying ground

Did you ever hear that coffin' sound
Have you ever heard that coffin' sound
Did you ever hear that coffin' sound
Means another poor boy is under ground

Did you ever hear them church bells tone
Have you ever hear'd them church bells tone
Did you ever hear them church bells tone
Means another poor boy is dead and gone

Well, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
And, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
Well, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
Now I believe what the bible told

There's just one last favor I'll ask of you
And there's one last favor I'll ask of you
There's just one last favor I'll ask of you
See that my grave is kept clean

In 1967, Texas put a marker in the graveyard. In 1997 a stone was set. In 2007 the graveyard's name became Blind Lemon Memorial Cemetery. His grave has not been found. The stone reads:

Lemon Jefferson
September, 1893-December, 1929
"Lord it's one kind favor I'll ask of you
See that my grave is kept clean."