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Poi Dog Pondering — Bury Me Deep
Album: Wishing Like a Mountain and Thinking Like the Sea
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1602









Released: 1990
Length: 4:52
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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A lifetime of accomplishments of which the dirt knows none,
only in death can one truly return
Return the carrots, the apples and potatoes,
The chickens, the cows, the fish and tomatoes.
In one glorious swoop, let the deed be done
and bury me deep so that I can be one...

And all around my muscle and all around my bone,
don't incinerate me or seal me from
the dirt which bore me, the bed that which from
the rain falls upon and the fruit comes from
For the dirt is a blanket, no fiery tomb,
No punishment, reward, or pearly white room
And you who say that in death we will pay,
The dead they can't hear a word that you say
Your words are not kind, sober or giving,
they only put fear in the hearts of the living
So put away your tongues and roll up your sleeves,
and pick up your shovel and bury me deep.
Comments (208)add comment
 Jonathan wrote:

Wow!! Love this song, and I haven't heard it in quite a while... this is a true gem which demonstrates the contributions that RP makes to the music scene... a band/song that the radio won't touch b/c of it's lack of commercial value. FYI: this can also be found on an cool compilation CD called "Theodore".



22 years ago?  Waaay back at the beginning of RP Time as we know it. 
Was the eagle cam even a thing then?             Curious.
Posted 1 month ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I don’t see any reference to dismemberment in these lyrics? 🤷🏻
Posted 1 month ago by alvivino    [ Reply ]
 rdunham wrote:

So great to hear Poi Dog Pondering.!These days, one can see and hear Frank performing with Thievery Corporation. 




OMG -- you're right!!!!!!!  I hadn't put 2 & 2 together, but the tumblers just fell into place. Very well done.
Posted 5 months ago by moto848    [ Reply ]
Just an incredible band. I consider myself fortunate, and indeed, blessed to have seen 'em a couple of times back in the day, up around Norhthampton [MA] way. Killer shows; real deep-in-the-heart music.
Posted 5 months ago by moto848    [ Reply ]
I got this album having first heard this on the radio in Australia when travelling as a teenager and I loved it. Still have it (locked up in a store somewhere - 30 years later am still travelling. So nice to hear this track again, after so many years. RP - you guys really are the best.
Posted 9 months ago by eyeseayou    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:

I miss PDP. They were a fantastic band to see live. Always an adventure.... Highly recommend their album Pomegranate. 



Still active. Many albums since Pomegranate. Do the google.
Posted 1 year ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Pause the Tragic Ending into Bury Me Deep, nice way to start this half hour.  Gonna pause my day to take my pup and sit for a while where we had to leave a marker for her sister a couple of years ago.  

1 Jul 2023
Posted 1 year ago by heiserwc    [ Reply ]
Nice tribute .
Posted 1 year ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
haven't heard poi dog pondering in over a decade. wow.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
So great to hear Poi Dog Pondering.!These days, one can see and hear Frank performing with Thievery Corporation. 
Posted 1 year ago by rdunham    [ Reply ]
Started off by giving a 7, then read the lyrics and bumped to 9
Posted 1 year ago by nancy.misner    [ Reply ]
 gottclay wrote:


Agreed - I also would like John Prine's "Please Don't Bury Me" and "When I Get to Heaven" played at my funeral.


I'm going for the rather obvious "When I'm Dead and Gone" by McGuiness Flint ;)
Posted 2 years ago by trogel    [ Reply ]
Leading edge of the green burial movement?

“Bury me deep“ …  Not too deep, though. Most soil microbes are in the upper 2 feet or so of the soil. If you want to be recycled, that’s where they should put you.
Posted 2 years ago by TurtleMan    [ Reply ]
 frolic4rp wrote:

Yes, I hope this song is played at my funeral. We need songs like this. It makes me wonder about life, and decay, and death, while still keeping a smile on my face.



Agreed - I also would like John Prine's "Please Don't Bury Me" and "When I Get to Heaven" played at my funeral.
Posted 2 years ago by gottclay    [ Reply ]
The lead off for my funeral playlist is "Keep Me In Your Heart" by Warren Zevon, but I agree with Bill that this should be on the list as well.
Posted 2 years ago by jamesat43    [ Reply ]
Great tune! I never heard of them before. Thanx RP!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
And bung a big ol' tree on top of me as well. That way, I'll have done some good and made the World a better place
Posted 3 years ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
From a Jodie Foster movie 'Foxes':


Back in the heavy stoned days, when we used to stay up and talk a lot, Annie and me, we were talking about dying, how it feels and all. I said I'd never get buried. I couldn't stand them shoveling dirt in my face. Like, I know I'd be dead, but I still might have this strong compulsion to breathe, okay? But Annie, she said she wanted to be buried right in the ground under a pear tree. Really. Not in a box or anything. She said she wanted the roots going right through her, and each year, we'd come along, take a pear, and go "Hey, Annie's tasting good this year, huh?"
Posted 3 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
If you like fretless bass, you'll love this song.  Count me as a yes for both.

Maybe someday my skill level at bass guitar will get to the point of attempting to play a fretless beyond a few minutes in a guitar store...

Until then, I can appreciate music like this.
Posted 3 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Love Poi Dog! Live in College Station TX. They used to have a mini music festival North by North Gate... at North Gate... seen them a few times.. Love their music!
Posted 4 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
Forgot how much I adore this album. Used to blast it endlessly in college. Plus, that name.....Poi Dog Pondering. Makes me ponder. 
Posted 4 years ago by MavenofMayhem    [ Reply ]
 rdunham wrote:
Love this band. Makes me smile and dance. Frank continues to play with Thievery Corporation.
 

yeah, these guys are special. 
more Please!
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
Love this band. Makes me smile and dance. Frank continues to play with Thievery Corporation.
Posted 4 years ago by rdunham    [ Reply ]
Pseudo-deep and clumsy lyrics make for an annoying combination that is summarized by, “well, at least it isn’t Rusted Root.” PSD
Posted 4 years ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
 (anonymous) wrote:
I am SOOOOO glad to hear some Poi here. They are definately one of my favorite bands. We here in Chicago feel very lucky to have been the adoptive city of this amazing band out of Austin via Hawaii (or is it the other way around?). Their songs are rich with sentiment and feeling. The band has gone through many different incarnations but the music is always great. Very ecclectic. I dare you to sit still. Thanks much, Bill. Please send some more PDP our way!
 
Hawaii > Austin > Chicago
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Nice segway from your comment about Mark from Talk Talk.
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 NCEyeballKid wrote:
I really think the first album "Poi Dog Pondering" had much livelier and enjoyable tunes than this. 

But count me as a fan! 
 
Well they were simpler. PDP got more complex with each subsequent album. Good on them.
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:
I miss PDP. They were a fantastic band to see live. Always an adventure.... Highly recommend their album Pomegranate. 
 
They've done a LOT since Pomegranate. Go to their website.
Posted 5 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by indian_joe27    [ Reply ]
I miss PDP. They were a fantastic band to see live. Always an adventure.... Highly recommend their album Pomegranate. 
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Universe is strange

But, so am I
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Poi Dog on RP? OK, take my money. Another year's support coming up. 
Posted 5 years ago by awestenb    [ Reply ]
Another band new to my ears ! Very nice....
Posted 5 years ago by Ayejoe    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Saw Thievery Corporation a couple of weeks ago, who were excellent!  Frank surprisingly was there on percussion and vocals (in Chicago, so....)
Posted 6 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Yes, I hope this song is played at my funeral. We need songs like this. It makes me wonder about life, and decay, and death, while still keeping a smile on my face.
Posted 6 years ago by frolic4rp    [ Reply ]
just good music from a time that needed it. thanks bill. great to hear this again.
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
 dyharenas wrote:
Struggling to find something redeemable here

  That's sad.

Posted 6 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 BerkeleyAlice wrote:
Sounds quite like the Waterboys. I like it!

 
There's a reason why...
Posted 6 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
Sounds quite like the Waterboys. I like it!
Posted 7 years ago by BerkeleyAlice    [ Reply ]
 dyharenas wrote:
Struggling to find something redeemable here

 
yeah...honestly I was going to make some silly smartass remark about a shopping list or eating organic...and well I find I'm struggling to say something funny while hearing this song.

Long Live RP still!


Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:

I haven't been to a funer in a long time, their always fun

 
They're not just fun, they're funer!
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Struggling to find something redeemable here
Posted 7 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}Resonates.
Posted 7 years ago by bagman1673290    [ Reply ]
 frolic4rp wrote:
This can be sung at my funer

 
I haven't been to a funer in a long time, their always fun
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Segue from this to, " The Waterboys," version of, " Sweet Thing."

{#Bananajam} 

 
I hear this too LOL
Posted 8 years ago by CHuLoYo    [ Reply ]
Paging Terri Hemmert...
Posted 8 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
I really think the first album "Poi Dog Pondering" had much livelier and enjoyable tunes than this. 

But count me as a fan! 
Posted 9 years ago by NCEyeballKid    [ Reply ]
This can be sung at my funer
Posted 9 years ago by frolic4rp    [ Reply ]
"Catacomb" would be a good song to play too. 
Posted 9 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 DanO-1 wrote:
I need more Poi in my life.

 

Roighto mate.  And would yer be wantin' apple poi or cherry poi?


Posted 9 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Segue from this to, " The Waterboys," version of, " Sweet Thing."

{#Bananajam} 

  Excellent suggestion....would be seamless 

Posted 9 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
Probably would be better live but then, maybe not.
Posted 9 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite salong albums and songs
Posted 9 years ago by frolic4rp    [ Reply ]
Segue from this to, " The Waterboys," version of, " Sweet Thing."

{#Bananajam} 
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
"burry me deep" :)
Posted 9 years ago by alanb    [ Reply ]
loves me some poi. this was a super fun band to see back in the day. in fact, i got turned on to them because they opened for someone and i thought they were fab. still listen to them a lot. 

 

 
Posted 10 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
There seems to be a theme here, Bill, in your playlist but it's buried in my psyche.
Posted 10 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Honestly, these guys had a great sound and vibe, I think they were just a vocalist away from being HUGE!
Posted 10 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
YAY!! I love this band.  I feel twenty years younger.
Posted 10 years ago by LYS    [ Reply ]

They got it right!

 

BURY ME DEEP!


Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]

This is playing and WAS (NOT WAS) was rejected!

WOOOOW, RP!!!!


Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Think they listened to Van Morrison's Sweet Thing a few times???
Posted 11 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
SUPER-SUPER SUCKO
Posted 11 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Takes me back to my Chicago days. {#Boohoo}
Posted 11 years ago by coachc    [ Reply ]
Sorry. Not digging this.
Posted 11 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
I gotta' say, I really enjoy this despite the fact that the singing is so poor. The band has a nice tight Waterboys kind of groove going.
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
I have enjoyed this album immensely since it came out, its very special to me. Thanks for playing
Posted 12 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
I need more Poi in my life.
Posted 12 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
Sure wish you would play some newer PDP, they are an awesome band and Frank Orell is amazing!
Posted 12 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
*yawns*
Posted 12 years ago by Hoosfoos    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from "Please don't bury me" but shame about the excruciating (to these ears) song. I wonder what's coming next in the 'interment' sequence?
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill. More Poi please.
Posted 12 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
 yclept wrote:
bloody awful..too many words crammed in
Is it that difficult to get the phrasing right?   
 
"Too Many Words Crammed In" - now there's a good band name and/or album title.  His phrasing sounds fine, though if there were too many words then that would likely make it "difficult to get the phrasing right".
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I've already buried this song deep in my "sucko barfo" file.
Posted 12 years ago by idavido    [ Reply ]
Love this, especially right after John Prine's 'Please Don't Bury Me'. Two sides of the same coin...
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
I kinda' dig the overall sound here, kind of a, " Waterboys," thing going on, but with a very different sounding vocalist.
Posted 13 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Wow - surprised at the low score of this one...
Posted 13 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Very poignant tribute Bill....thanks for causing me to reflect...
Posted 13 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
Sure wish Bill would play some newer stuff.

We are going to see them at Durty Nelly's in Palatine on Saturday 
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:

I did not know that.  When I knew them, they were an Austin upstart.

 
We used to go see them at Fitzgerald's in Houston. Stage full of musicians, floor full of people. Good times.

Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Both the CDs I have of them are keepers.  {#Tongue-out}
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

Poi Dog is a Chicago institution.  They never really broke out as a national band though. 



 
I did not know that.  When I knew them, they were an Austin upstart.

Posted 13 years ago by james_of_tucson    [ Reply ]

Poi Dog is a Chicago institution.  They never really broke out as a national band though. 



Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Yes, some Poi! Love this band!!! More pretty please.
Posted 13 years ago by Onthebus    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard PDP in a long time, really enjoyed this, thanks!
Posted 13 years ago by clarabowdo    [ Reply ]
Nice band name, shame about the sound. Yer man's tuneless voice gave me a headache in 10 seconds flat. Mute and back in 5.
Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Bury it deeper please.
Posted 14 years ago by Dgradeworkunit    [ Reply ]
Fun facts corner!

Poi! mmmm....


Tastes like it looks.

Poi Dog, from wikipedia:  
"The Hawaiian Poi Dog or ʻīlio (ʻīlio mākuʻe for brown individuals) is an extinct breed of pariah dog from Hawaiʻi which was used by Native Hawaiians as a spiritual protector of children and as a source of food."

That is all.
 

Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Fun to hear "Bury Me Deep" by Poi Dog after so many years. First ran across this almost 20 years ago on the Theodore Sampler. Great reach in to the archives.
Posted 14 years ago by dougmbrown    [ Reply ]
What do I know?  I like this song and enjoyed hearing Poi Dog again. 
Posted 14 years ago by scottdburnett    [ Reply ]
thrilled to hear this song again...
Posted 14 years ago by tribeca18    [ Reply ]
bloody awful..too many words crammed in
Is it that difficult to get the phrasing right?   
Posted 15 years ago by yclept    [ Reply ]
 mattc296 wrote:
Prainful; would sound great on Gray's Anatomy.
 
LOL. Ouch!  That's a stinger

Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
 The_Enemy wrote:

2 —> 1

 
9 —> 10

Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
uggggh this song sucks bigtime{#Puke}{#Frustrated}
Posted 15 years ago by orthomd    [ Reply ]
1  —->  -1
Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
{#No}

and to think...I BOUGHT this CD.  Sigh.

Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
These guys were great when I used to throw coins into their guitar case on the UC Berkeley campus in '88-89, bristling with eccentric energy. Then they got a record deal and totally, utterly lost the magic. Or maybe they still have it, but it certainly doesn't translate well in the recording studio.
Posted 15 years ago by jedley    [ Reply ]
Quick note for all those that are running this down  You need to hear the whole cd (well, except for the last cut anyway).  Then you'll appreciate this too!
Posted 15 years ago by dedawson    [ Reply ]
Wow.    This is bad.

Posted 15 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]

2 —> 1


Posted 15 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Dristan will clear that clogged nose right up......
Posted 15 years ago by Kdubba    [ Reply ]
Man this sounds Irish to me.{#Boohoo}  I thought Frank Orrall was from Hawaii?  {#Eh}
Posted 15 years ago by Tim_in_N_FL    [ Reply ]
{#Boohoo}   {#Yell}
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
Wow, ANOTHER band I used to dance to when I went to school in Hawaii.  Of course, back then they were playing slap-dash reggae.  I liked them a lot better after the move to Austin and to my home town, Chi-town.

So, Taj, Poi Dog — can the Pagan Babies be far behind?  {#Sunny}
Posted 16 years ago by KitKat    [ Reply ]
do what they ask for!

BURRY THEM DEEP!!!

DEEPEST!!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
go away cowboy!
NIGHTMARISH!

pffffffff....!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Quite the worst thing I've heard all day!
Posted 16 years ago by top20    [ Reply ]
wally42 wrote:
I love this entire CD! How about "Spending the Day in the Shirt That You Wore"?
Outstanding. I love this band. Saw them live a few times. What a show.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
handyrae wrote:
Question: What is a poi dog and what is it pondering?
Poi Dog is slang for a Hawaiian citizen of mixed race. Not sure what he/she is pondering. Maybe pondering how this song has not stood the test of time very well. I think this is a fantastic live performance gone bad in the translation to recording.
Posted 16 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Crawlmeister wrote:
Why do I find this plain annoying?
Um. Maybe because it is. I find this guy's voice reedy, the song a bit too country-music-ish, and I am completely bored by it.
Posted 16 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Tech question: is it possible to "un-upload" a file? I'm not the one who uploaded this song but I don't know if that matters. I've tried: # mkfs.radioparadise /playlist/pdp_burymedeep But I get back: "ERROR 516 - Song is clinging like mold in your basement" Thanks for your help.
Posted 16 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
Why do I find this plain annoying?
Posted 16 years ago by Crawlmeister    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the chili has gone bad but has not quite made it through the system . . .
Posted 16 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
Yeah... Bury you deep....
Posted 16 years ago by dpjag    [ Reply ]
handyrae wrote:
Question: What is a poi dog and what is it pondering?
A Poi Dog is an extinct breed of dog from Hawaii. It originated in Polynesia and came over with the original settlers. They were small, fat dogs that usually were eaten by the members of the tribe as they were a delicacy. So a Poi Dog Pondering may have been a dog aware of his or her own fate and what to do til that fateful day. Cool name for a band (who got their start in Hawaii in 1986). Nothing like genus loci for a band's name.
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
handyrae wrote:
Question: What is a poi dog and what is it pondering?
If it's a dog, there is only one thing it's sniffing & pondering... Another dog's backside... Which reminds me, I'm not fond of this song ....
Posted 17 years ago by rickf    [ Reply ]
Question: What is a poi dog and what is it pondering?
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
lild wrote:
Sounds like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite singing....
LOL..this is really awful.
Posted 17 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]