"Dry Bones" is a folk song, included in Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music under the heading "Social Music". On this collection it is sung by Bascom Lamar Lunsford (1929). The song is also performed by alternative country duo The Handsome Family on their 2003 album Singing Bones. The song also features on Golden Opportunities 2, an EP released by Okkervil River in 2011.

Synopsis

This song's five verses refer to different biblical stories. The first verse refers to Enoch from Genesis 5:21-24. Verse 2 is based on Acts 16:25-26. The third verse refers to Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 3:2. The fourth verse (and the title) is based on the story from Ezekiel 37:1-10. The last verse hints to the familiar story from Genesis 3, although in Lunsford's version what Eve is saying is unclear.

Lyrics

Lunsford's version on the Anthology (recorded in February 1928 in Ashland, Kentucky ). This transcription is modified from Judy Cook's published lyric. Lunsford's version differ from Cook's version on several points and these differences are incorporated in the version presented here. (Some passages in Lunsford's rendition are difficult to interpret. For these lines Cook's version are used, but these lines are indicated.): Guitar Chords Capo 1 Intro: G C D Verses: G Chorus: D C D G