A country hymn standard - check great versions by The Carter Family and the Stanley Brothers.
Words: Ada R. Habershon, 1907.
Music: Charles H Gabriel
Will The Circle be Unbroken
John Fahey Lyrics
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On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
I said to that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For this lady you are carrying
Lord, I hate to see here go
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Oh, I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I went back home, my home was lonesome
Missed my mother, she was gone
All of my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
We sang the songs of childhood
Hymns of faith that made us strong
Ones that mother Maybelle taught us
Hear the angels sing along
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
John Fahey's song "Will The Circle be Unbroken" is a poignant reflection on the pain of loss and the hope of reunion in the afterlife. The song describes the singer's experience watching his mother's funeral procession and the grief he feels at her passing. He pleads with the undertaker to drive slowly and laments his inability to hide his sorrow when his mother is laid to rest. Despite the sadness and loneliness he feels, the song's refrain brings hope, as the singer sings of a "better home a-waiting" in the sky, and wonders whether the circle of loved ones will be reunited in the afterlife.
The song's simple melody, lilting guitar picking, and poignant lyrics have made it a classic in the canon of American folk music. The circular structure of the song, with the refrain asking whether the circle will be unbroken, underscores the themes of loss and reunion. The image of the sky as a better home waiting for the loved ones who have passed on is a common motif in American spirituals and hymns, reflecting the Christian belief in an afterlife.
Interestingly, the song's lyrics are based on a 1907 hymn, also titled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," which was written by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel. The hymn's lyrics focus on the hope of reunion with loved ones in heaven and the idea that death is not the end, but rather a passage to eternal life.
In addition to John Fahey's version, "Will The Circle be Unbroken" has been recorded by many other artists, including The Carter Family, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. The song has also been featured in several movies and TV shows, including O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and The Walking Dead.
Overall, "Will The Circle be Unbroken" is a timeless tribute to the pain of loss and the hope of reunion in the afterlife. Through its simple, yet poignant lyrics and melody, the song has become a beloved classic in the American folk music canon.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing by my window
The singer was looking outside from their window
On one cold and cloudy day
It was a chilly and overcast day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
The singer saw a hearse approaching
For to carry my mother away
The hearse was there to take the artist's mother's body
Will the circle be unbroken
The artist questions if they will see their loved ones again
By and by, Lord, by and by
Eventually in the future
There's a better home a-waiting
There is a better place in the afterlife
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
This better place is in heaven
I said to that undertaker
The artist spoke to the person carrying their mother's body
Undertaker please drive slow
They asked the undertaker to go slowly
For this lady you are carrying
Referring to their deceased mother as a lady
Lord, I hate to see here go
The artist is sad and doesn't want to say goodbye to their mother
Oh, I followed close behind her
The singer was walking behind the hearse carrying their mother's body
Tried to hold up and be brave
The singer attempted to stay strong
But I could not hide my sorrow
Ultimately, they couldn't contain their sadness
When they laid her in the grave
When their mother's body was buried
I went back home, my home was lonesome
The artist was left alone after their mother's passing
Missed my mother, she was gone
The singer was missing their mother who had passed away
All of my brothers, sisters crying
The singer's siblings were also grieving
What a home so sad and lone
The artist's home was now a depressing place
We sang the songs of childhood
The artist and their siblings sang songs they learned when they were younger
Hymns of faith that made us strong
The hymns they sang brought them strength during this difficult time
Ones that mother Maybelle taught us
Their mother taught them these hymns
Hear the angels sing along
As they sing, they imagine the angels are singing too
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Is This The Life?
What a brilliant performance. Thank you for uploading.