<P> 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 . </P> <P> 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 . </P>

Who wrote ain't no grave gonna hold my body down