See That My Grave Is Kept Clean

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History

“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” is one of the best known compositions by Blind Lemon Jefferson, recorded first in October 1927 under a religious pseudonym, Deacon L.J. Bates, and in February 1928 under his own name as the B-side to his “Lectric Chair Blues.” Frequently titled as “One Kind Favor,” a snippet of the opening lyrics, it has been covered by a range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Grateful Dead, B.B. King, Widespread Panic, and Mavis Staples, who won a 2016 Grammy for her version. Dylan’s cover appears as the last song on his debut “Bob Dylan” album, sitting on the saddle point between 12-bar blues and Americana (or “American Roots,” to use the Grammy category) – the exact confluence of styles that characterize a show that includes “My Poor Heart,” “Dem Bones,” “No Men In No Men’s Land,” and “Frankenstein.”

Opening the “Lemon” night on the 11th show of the Baker’s Dozen run at Madison Square Garden, “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” captured the intent of the no-repeats, thematic shows perfectly. Appropriately, this has remained its lone performance following its debut. The second set of the show opens with “Dem Bones,” also recorded in 1928 and similarly referencing legacy beyond the grave. While “Dem Bones” draws on the prophet Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, Blind Lemon is much more explicit in his scripture reference: 

“And my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold;
Now I believe what the Bible told”

Video by WITZERcom

Last significant update: 1/2/2026

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