People steal, they cheat and lie
For wealth and what it will buy.
But don’t they know on the Judgment Day
That gold and silver will melt away.

I’d rather be in a deep, dark grave
And know that my poor soul was saved
Than live in this world in a house of gold
And deny my God and doom my soul.

“House of Gold” – original recording: Hank Williams demo, late 1949/early 1950 (registered with Library of Congress, Apr 21, 1950; released — with overdubs — on Polydor LP 833-752, 1987).
First commercial recording by Milton Estes, Dec 30, 1949 (Coral 64031)

Hank Williams version:

Continue reading June 15: Bob Dylan – House of Gold, Madrid, Spain 1989 (Video) →