There are many versions of this traditional song, first made popular in the early 1800’s. The song is about resurrection, or rising up from the ground to Heaven after death. It is most often written and sung in this African American dialect.

Ezekiel cried, “Dem dry bones!”
Ezekiel cried, “Dem dry bones!”
Ezekiel cried, “Dem dry bones!”
“Oh hear de word of de Lawd!”

De foot bone connected to de anklebone
De ankle bone connected to de leg bone
De leg bone connected to de knee bone
De knee bone connected to de thigh bone
Oh hear de word of de Lawd!

De thigh bone connected to de hip bone
De hip bone connected to de back bone
De back bone connected to de neck bone
De neck bone connected to de head bone
Oh hear de word of de Lawd!

Dem bones dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones dem bones gonna walk around.
Oh hear de word o’ de Lawd!

De head bone connected to de neck bone
De neck bone connected to de back bone
De back bone connected to de hip bone
De hip bone connected to de thigh bone
Oh hear de word of de Lawd!

De thigh bone connected to de knee bone
De knee bone connected to de leg bone
De leg bone connected to de anklebone
De ankle bone connected to de foot bone.
Oh hear de word of de Lawd!

© Katherine Dines. All rights reserved. Used with permission.