Will the Circle be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Band 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
Oh, I told that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For this body you are holding
Lord, I hate to see her 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
I will follow 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 Lord, 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
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
The song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" is a classic gospel hymn about the inevitability of death and the hope for an afterlife. The singer is mourning the loss of their mother, who has just passed away, and is contemplating whether the circle of life and death will continue unbroken. The song's refrain, "By and by, Lord, by and by / There's a better home a-waiting / In the sky, Lord, in the sky," speaks to the singer's belief in an afterlife and provides a comforting message to those who are grieving.
Throughout the song, the singer also addresses the undertaker who is carrying their mother's body, asking him to drive slow and expressing their sadness at the sight of the hearse. The singer also reflects on their own sorrow and the loneliness they feel now that their mother is gone. However, the refrain provides a sense of hope and comfort, reminding the singer that their mother has gone to a better place.
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" has been covered by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The song has become a staple of the American folk and gospel repertoire and is often played at funerals and memorial services.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing by my window
The singer was standing by their window
On one cold and cloudy day
It was a cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
The singer saw a hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
The hearse was carrying the artist's mother's body away
Will the circle be unbroken
The artist wonders if their family will stay together after their mother's death
By and by, Lord, by and by
The singer is thinking of the future when everyone is reunited
There's a better home a-waiting
The singer believes in an afterlife
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
The afterlife is in heaven
Oh, I told that undertaker
The artist spoke to the undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
The artist asked the undertaker to drive slowly
For this body you are holding
The singer is referring to their mother's body
Lord, I hate to see her go
The artist is expressing their sadness about their mother's death
I will follow close behind her
The singer will follow the hearse carrying their mother's body
Tried to hold up and be brave
The singer tried to be brave in a difficult situation
But I could not hide my sorrow
The singer was unable to hide their sadness
When they laid her in the grave
The artist is talking about their mother's burial
I went back home Lord, my home was lonesome
The artist returned home to a lonely house
Missed my mother, she was gone
The singer misses their mother
All of my brothers, sisters crying
The singer's siblings are all crying
What a home so sad and lone
The artist's home is sad and lonely without their mother
Will the circle be unbroken
The artist repeats their earlier question, wondering if their family will come back together
By and by, Lord, by and by
The artist repeats the answer - they will be reunited in heaven
There's a better home a-waiting
The singer again references the afterlife
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
The afterlife is in heaven
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roy Acuff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tifanieann
Who else is listening in 2024 ❤
@codyjensen5810
Who else Is an attention seeker in 2024?😂
@Sam-the-artist12
My boyfriend😂
@kevincarroll2039
When my wife died from breast cancer I played this song at her funeral as we closed the casket for the last time. We all stood up and sang along with tears in our eyes truly knowing there is no pain in Heaven. Four years later when my Mom died from breast cancer I sang this song to myself as the Hearst drove away. The comfort this song has brought to me during these times could never be expressed in words. Event though my heart ached when i lost them both, this song reminded me they both were in a better place.
@KrisDeHall
Levon Helm and Emmy Lou Harris
@Iwastherein1969
Kevin Carroll be strong in the faith, my brother, for the place we go to there will only tears of joy...no more pain, no more suffering...the toils of this Earthly walk will have given way to seeing our Savior on his throne...It is my faith that our Father will build a new place called Heaven and that the physics and diseases that were put upon this Earth by Satan will no longer exist....my mind cannot comprehend the bliss...take care and once again, be strong in the Faith
@kentagion
Kevin Carroll the day of our death is better than the day of our birth
@pmp2559
Heart goes out to you
@CashPresley32
Sorry for your losses.
@billclements1159
Johnny Cash’s opening to this song is just perfect. What a powerful voice and awesome song.