Gravedigger's Remorse: "Your work is valued even though you cover it up"

 March 2, 2026

   Most projects need two things: patience and the right wind. Here's a good example:

   Just got a link to some new Old West songs created by Jeffrey Schreckler. I really, ahem, dig the first tune about being a gravedigger. I've been listening to it all morning. Very haunting.

Check it out:

Rattle Them Bones: I Am A Gravedigger

   And, here is Jeffrey's insight on how the song came about: 

   "I was up in Flagstaff looking for Commodore Perry Owens' grave.  When I finally found it, there was a gravedigger digging a grave, right next to Owen's plot.  The man in the hole never acknowledged me and I took it as a sign of respect for the dead.  As I walked around the graveyard I stumbled on to the mass grave for the Airplane crash at the Grand Canyon and thought of how hard that job would be. And, as I looked back at the gravedigger at the Owen's site, I thought about what it would be like and how you would have to come to grips with the reality of the job.  He was by himself and I figured probably that was for the best to show no emotion.   It hit me that it would be hard if it was a child. 'The Smallest holes  are the ones you feel. . .' It jolts you back to reality.   The sadness  of unmarked graves as well—you made it this far only to be lost. What if you traveled across  the country following wars ?   One of the most profound thoughts I had, was the respect for the work. 'I take care of your loved ones and I give'm a toast.' What would be the worst part of it?  Digging in hard soil. Hitting rocks—who hasn’t hit a rock digging a hole ?

   "I have written pieces of 1000 songs but this one came  really quick. With only two changes in probably 30 minutes.  Some never get done. This one hung around because it had to have haunting fiddles  I could hear it.  But I could not find a fiddle player.   AI saved me.

   "All my motivation is from  Hank Williams Sr, John Prine, Bob Dylan, Tyler Childress,  Townes Van Zandt, Steel drivers, Lightfoot, Johnny Horton. I wrote it so Colter Wall could sing it. I envision Commodore Perry Owens standing in the moonlight  in a grave, his grave about knee deep leaning on a shovel  with a poker grin. A lantern on the mound, lighting his name on the headstone. We dig our own graves, don’t we?"

—Jeffrey Schreckler

Commodore Perry Owens: "I could see that."

"At the end of the day, you only get to keep what you give away."

—Old Vaquero Saying