They Hung Him on a Cross

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"They Hung Him on a Cross", also known as "Easter" and "He Never Said a Mumblin' Word", is an American spiritual folk song. It has been recorded by Lead Belly and Kurt Cobain, among others.

[edit] Lead Belly's version

At least four versions of "They Hung Him on a Cross" were recorded by the American folk musician Lead Belly (born Huddie William Ledbetter). His earliest version was recorded in San Francisco in February 1945, as part of a medley with two other spirituals, "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The other three versions were recorded during different sessions in New York City in 1948.

[edit] Cobain's version

A solo electric version of "They Hung Him on a Cross" was recorded by Kurt Cobain, singer and guitarist of the American rock band Nirvana, in Seattle in August 1989. It was recorded for a planned Lead Belly tribute album, which was also to feature Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Screaming Trees vocalist and guitarist Mark Lanegan, and Screaming Trees drummer Mark Pickerel, but the project was ultimately abandoned. Cobain's solo rendition was forgotten about until 2004, when producer Jack Endino unearthed it for that year's Nirvana box set, With the Lights Out. The makeshift band, tentatively called the Jury, also recorded versions of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," "Ain't It a Shame," and an instrumental take of "Grey Goose."

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