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> Norma Waterson > Songs > When I Die

When I Die

[ Roud 7697 ; Ballad Index RcSwHeav ; trad.]

Peter Bellamy sang When I Die, a song from the Doc Watson family's repertoire, on June 5 or 6, 1976 live at the Eurofolk '76 festival in Ingelheim, Germany. He recorded it a few year later for his 1979 album Both Sides Then with Lal, Mike & Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy, and Heather Wood & Royston Wood singing vocal harmonies. The album sleeve notes commented:

Peter and Anthea Bellamy and the Watersons are joined on this track by Royston and Heather Wood, who were co-founders with Peter Bellamy of the group Young Tradition. This traditional song is a gem from the repertoire of Doc Watson's family's treasure house.

This track was also included in 2004 on the Watersons' 4 CD anthology Mighty River of Song.

Lyrics

Peter Bellamy sings When I Die

Because I believe and have found salvation,
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.
My soul will take part in that jubilation,
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.

Chorus (after each verse):

When I die, when I die, I'll live again, I'll live again
Hallelujah, I'll live again
Because I'm forgiven my soul will find heaven
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.

My fear of the grave is removed forever
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.
My soul will rejoice by that crystal river
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.

Because in the Lord I have made confession.
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.
Oh now, in my soul there is no transgression,
When I die, when I die, I'll live again.