There Ain’t No Grave

Ain't No Grave (also known as Gonna Hold This Body Down) is a traditional American gospel song attributed to Claude Ely (1922-1978) of Virginia.

Claude Ely describes composing the song while sick with tuberculosis in 1934 when he was twelve years old. His family prayed for his health, and in response he spontaneously performed this song. Originally recorded by Bozie Sturdivant in 1941 in a slower, Appalachian gospel style and in 1946-7 by Sister Rosetta Tharpe with barrelhouse piano; the song in Ely's version was recorded in 1953 but composed in 1934. Many notable artists have performed the song, including Johnny Cash on the posthumous album American VI: Ain't No Grave.

In 1967 the song was featured in the film Cool Hand Luke while Luke (Paul Newman) is digging a grave, performed by Harry Dean Stanton.

In 1989 Russ Taff covered this song on the album The Way Home and also as an extended version on the 1991 album Under Their Influence.

In 1997 it was featured in the film, The Apostle, performed by the movie's star Robert Duvall.

In 2006 Crooked Still recorded the song on the album Shaken by a Low Sound.

In 2015 Tom Jones recorded the song on his Praise and Blame album.

In 2017, Bonfire Records Bluegrass recording artists, Wilson Banjo Co. recorded a cover of "Ain't No Grave" on their album SPIRITS IN THE HILLS, charting on the Roots Music Report and garnering significant attention to their music video on social media.

In 2017 a cover of the song by Hidden Citizens appears in the trailer for the film Aftermath.

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