Does this mean what I think it means? And where does the expression come from?

Never heard that particular saying.

I would take it to mean, to the effect of... "I would gladly stand trial for killing you."

Nothinbutjoy said:

That's what I thought. It shows up in a Dylan song and it's also the title of a Nick Cave album.

Sonny Boy Williamson II

Your Funeral And My Trial

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by
Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller)

recording of 19

from The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson (Chess/MCA 9343)




Please come home to your daddy, and explain yourself to me
Because I and you are man and wife, tryin' to start a family
I'm beggin' you baby, cut out that off the wall jive
If you can't treat me no better, it gotta be your funeral and my trial
When I and you first got together, 't was on one Friday night
We spent two lovely hours together, and the world knows alright
I'm just beggin' you baby, please cut out that off the wall jive
You know you gotta treat me better, if you don't it gotta be your funeral and my trial
Alright
The good Lord made the world and everything was in it
The way my baby love is some solid sentiment
She can love to heal the sick and she can love to raise the dead
You think I'm jokin' but you better believe what I say
I'm beggin' you baby, cut out that off the wall jive
Yeah, you gotta treat me better, or it gotta be your funeral and my trial




This is the best i could do.

Awesome blues song.

another one of my favorite similar sayings is 'i rather be tried by 12 than carried by six'.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Thanks, sp! Makes sense, 'cause Dylan is way into old blues.

if you're into the blues that double disc is a must! some of the finest blues ever recorded.

Also a great album from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds!

So,if she doesn't treat him better, he'll kill her then go to jail? Man, that's heavy!