Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “Dig Gravedigger Dig” by Corb Lund
This rollicking song is about a man who has chosen a hard life of manual labor and is resigned to his chosen path. He recognizes the monotony and hardship of his life, but still finds joy in it. The lyrics express a mixture of apathy and bittersweet acceptance of the work he does, and a humble pride in his standing in the world. He sings “Dig the gravedigger dig, it’s the only work I know, I get paid with broken dreams and blow” – reflecting on his hardships and lack of material reward but still turning up day after day for his epitomically unpleasant job.
He can also be seen as a metaphor for the laborer whose work is often unseen and taken for granted by society, making this song a poignant and powerful anthem for the marginalized people who plow on no matter how thankless their work seems. Despite his grim situation, the singer still is proud of his work and attitude: “Ain’t no quitter here, I earn my pay”. By the end of the song, he confidently proclaims: “So dig the gravedigger dig, ain’t afraid of nothin’ no more, till a higher man than me rolls the stone across the floor.”