This is one of a number of blues tunes written from a black perspective about the Cold War era and the Korean War (such as Eisenhower Blues and Korea Blues both by J.B. Lenoir). The song's protagonist seeks to crawl in a hole in the hopes that when he finally surfaces "there won't be no wars around." The brevity and directness of the message of this song (and others like it) were no doubt lost on the Truman and Eisenhower Administrations.
I might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground I might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground You know when I come out There won't be no wars around
Well, I got my white canary, my class card, too My baby's wondering Lord now what am I to do Might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground You know when I come out There won't be no wars around Yeah!
Well, they take me to the river front, cross the deep blue sea My baby begin to wonder what in the world become of me Dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground You know when I come out There won't be no wars around
I'm might-a leave my baby all pulled up and crying You know that's the reason why I 'm really gonna change my mind Dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground You know when I come out There won't be no wars around
Well, I ain't got no one to love me, all I got is gone My baby leavin' me and I'm leavin' up my home I might dig myself a hole Move my baby down in the ground You know when I come up There won't be no wars around
Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup [1951] I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole