Discover the story of the song > Cypress Grove Blues – Skip James

The song is about a man who would rather be buried in a cypress grove than be with a woman he can't control. He plans to leave and never come back, saying that someday she will need his help. The song also mentions that when the sun goes down, she will understand the consequences of broken promises. The man would rather be dead and buried than be treated poorly. In the end, he references old saying about reaping what you sow, suggesting that his partner will eventually face the consequences of her actions. The song ends with the man saying that when his body starts to ache, it's a sign that he's getting ready to be buried in the cypress grove.