Ain’t This a Countdown: There Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down)

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After this you might want the country music back! I’m rolling on with this list of songs that have “ain’t” in the title. A warning: next month will continue the atrocious grammar. But we’ll burn that English book when we get there. Meanwhile, here’s today song. There Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down) - Brother Claude Ely Linda? NO! You’ll take the Faron Young more easily! Unfortunately, what’s probably the best-known rendition of this spiritual-like song — the one in Cool Hand Luke — is only about half a minute long. And those were the days when you didn’t have soundtracks for everything. (I can see that: Harry Dean Stanton Sings His Cool Hand Luke Favorites! ) This was written in 1934 by a 12-year-old who was sick with tuberculosis. The boy, Claude Ely, recovered and grew up to be a Pentecostal preacher, hence his recording nickname “Brother” Claude. It’s been recorded a number of times, including by yesterday’s featured artist, Johnny Cash (one of the last songs he recorded in his life). And, of course, there’s that scene in Cool Hand Luke where Luke is forced to dig a hole (grave-shaped) in the yard as punishment for his escape attempts while Tramp and the other prisoners watch, with Tramp (Stanton’s character) breaking into this song. Brother Claude Ely died of a heart attack during a revival service in 1978 in Newport, Kentucky. He left behind a memorable gospel song. There Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down) Written by Claude Ely Recorded by Brother Claude Ely Released as a single, 1953 I looked way down the river: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLL6PFsZzJE