The family began appearing in Chicago-area churches in 1948, and signed their first professional contract in 1952. They signed with United Records, then Vee-Jay, Riverside, Epic and, eventually, the black-owned indie Stax Records label where they hit their most fertile commercial peak.
In 1967, on Columbia subsidiary Epic, the Staple Singers first began moving into mainstream pop markets with "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" and "For What It's Worth" (written by Stephen Stills). In 1968, the Staple Singers signed to Stax and released two albums recorded with Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MG's fame - Soul Folk in Action and We'll Get Over. By 1970, Al Bell had become producer, and the family began recording at the famed Muscle Shoals studio, moving in a more funk and soul direction. The first Stax hit was "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)". In 1972, the group had a No. 1 hit in the United States with "I'll Take You There." Their 1972 recording on Stax of "Respect Yourself," written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, was number 2 on the R&B charts and a Top 40 pop hit as well. The song's theme of self-empowerment had universal appeal, released in the period immediately following the intense American civil rights movement of the 1960s. During this Stax period they appeared at a 1972 summer concert at the LA Memorial Coliseum attended by 100,000 people and documented in the 1973 film and soundtrack album Wattstax.
The Staple Singers then signed to Curtom, Curtis Mayfield's imprint, and released the soundtrack to a comedy film co-starring Bill Cosby called "Let's Do It Again". The soundtrack was produced by Mayfield; and the title song was a huge hit in 1975. After this, however, they were not able to regain their commercial momentum, releasing occasional minor hits, and moving from label to label including Warner Brothers and 20th Century before returning to Epic in the mid 80s. Lead singer Mavis Staples began a fruitful solo career in earnest that continues to this day and involves live performing with her sister Yvonne Staples. The other daughters in the group who did not pursue solo careers were Pervis Staples, and Cleotha Staples.
In 1994, the family made this final recording of a duet with Mary Stuart (reprising their Last Watz style backing on a cover of "The Weight" by The Band), somewhat re-establishing an audience.
Pops Staples died in December 2000.
Cleotha Staples died in Chicago on February 21, 2013.
Yvonne Staples died in April 2018 and Pervis Staples in May 2021.
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
The Staple Singers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw an old 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
Undertaker, Mr. Undertaker
Will you please, drive your wagon slow
For thie lady, the one you're hauling
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
In the sky, lord, in the sky
The Staple Singers' song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" is a lament for a mother who has just passed away. The first verse sets the scene of the singer watching an old hearse roll by on a cold and cloudy day, knowing that it is there to take away the body of their mother. The chorus asks if the circle will be unbroken, meaning if the family and loved ones will be reunited with their mother in heaven. It suggests that there is a better home waiting for them all in the sky.
The second verse addresses the undertaker directly, asking him to please drive his wagon slowly for the lady he is hauling. The singer expresses their sadness and reluctance to see their mother go. The final chorus repeats the question of whether the circle will be unbroken, emphasizing the hope and faith that they will be reunited with their mother one day in heaven, in a better home in the sky.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing by my window,
I stood beside my window on a gloomy day.
On one cold and cloudy day
It was a chilly and overcase day.
When I saw an old hearse come rolling
I witnessed a carriage used for carrying the deceased.
For to carry my mother away
It was transporting my late mother.
Will the circle be unbroken
Will relationships, faith or connections continue after death?
By and by, lord, by and by
In the future, oh God, in the future.
There's a better home a-waiting
There is an improved place prepared for us.
In the sky, lord, in the sky
It is in heaven, oh God, it is in heaven.
Undertaker, Mr. Undertaker
Person accountable for funeral duties, Mr. Funeral Director,
Will you please, drive your wagon slow
May you drive your carriage cautiously?
For thie lady, the one you're hauling
She is the woman you are carrying.
Lord, I hate to see here go
God, I cannot bear to witness her leave.
In the sky, lord, in the sky
It is in heaven, oh God, it is in heaven.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROEBUCK STAPLES, PUBLIC DOMAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnsiewashington1270
I remember when my grandma was alive. Me and my siblings and cousins would sing the chorus of this song. All of us would march around the house after breakfast. Great memories❤❤
@flakeypuff9462
Black upbringings with grandma. Priceless memories
@strangewayfaringstranger
Beautiful song. Mavis Staples did another version of this too...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb3u932tjnA
@redbluebae4397
😭
@coreybrewer6278
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" by the Staple Singers is one of the greatest gospel songs of all-time! I absolutely positively love it!
@MYGIRL56able
The staple singers were awesome. We would get up in the morning with the radio playing gospel music. Those were good days.
@williefayward3992
You are sure right
@ruthieworldtravels208
In NYC in the late 60's it was WLIB/AM with "Joe Bostic and the Gospel Train" . . . it was awesome!
@veronicaaaron9513
There will never be a singer like Pops Staple..
@bernadetteduplechain8930
semien will the circle be unbroken