The pall bearers bear the body and the body it is light
The pall bearers bear the body, it's food for maggots tonight
The pall bearers bear the body and they bear them with grief
Though each one of them is a liar a vagabond and a cheat
The pall bearers bear the body and it's real tears they cry
Though they're crying for themselves because they know they too soon will die
The pall bearers bear the body from the coal black hearse
They know each one of them bears the same gypsy curse
The pall bearers bear the body and they bear them with fear
They wonder if they too will be borne themselves this year
The pall bearers bear the body and they know they too must die
For upon each of them the same gypsy curse does lie
The pall bearers bear the body and the body it is light
There'll be food, there'll be food, there'll be food for the maggots, the maggots tonight