“Will the Circle Be Unbroken”

Description

The singer witnesses his/her mother being carried off for burial. Her example is praised. The singer wonders if they will meet again: "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."

Notes

According to Cohen, the original version of this had words by Ada R. Habershon and music by Charles Gabriel and was published in 1907/8. That version, however, had a completely different tune from the familiar Carter Family version; the song has probably been subjected to recensional handling -- possibly by A. P. Carter. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Since I Laid My Burden Down" (tune)

Recordings

• Roy Acuff, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (Perfect 16101, 1935) (OKeh 05587 [as Roy Acuff & his Smoky Mountain Boys], 1940)
• Alphabetical Four, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" (Decca 7601, 1939; rec. 1938)
• Clarence Ashley, Clint Howard et al, Jean Ritchie, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (on WatsonAshley01)
• Bud & James Billings [pseuds. for Frank Luther and, perhaps, Carson Robison], "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (Bluebird B-6406, 1936; rec. 1928)
• Brown's Ferry Four, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (King 530, 1946)
• Rev. J. C. Burnett, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (Columbia 14385-D, 1928)
• The Carter Family, "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" (Conqueror 8529, 1935) (Columbia 20268, prob. c. 1946)
• Doc Hopkins, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (Radio 1411, n.d.)
• Hallelujah Trio, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" (London 16020, 1950)
• Frank & James McCravy, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (Brunswick 194, 1928; Jewel 5907/Oriole 1907/Perfect 12601/Challenge 876, 1930; Conqueror 7794, 1931; rec. 1927) (OKeh 45433, 1930)
• William McEwan, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" (Columbia A1364, 1913; rec. c. 1912)
• Metropolitan Quartet, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" (Edison 52111, 1927)
• Monroe Brothers, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (Montgomery Ward M-7142, 1937)
• Morris Brothers, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken Bye And Bye?" (Bluebird B-8103, 1939)
• Silver Leaf Quartette of Norfolk, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (OKeh 8777/ARC 6-12-63/Vocalion 04395, 1930)
• Frank Stamps & his All-Star Quartet, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (Montgomery Ward M-8194, 1939)
• Frank Welling & John McGhee, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (Champion 16035, 1930; Champion 45123 [as Welling Family Trio], c. 1935)
• Westbrook Conservatory Entertainers, "Will That Circle Be Unbroken" (Broadway 8194, late 1920s)
• J. B. Whitmire's Blue Sky Trio, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken There" (Bluebird B-8512, 1940)

References

1. Randolph 635, "Can the Circle Be Unbroken?" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Randolph/Cohen, pp. 440-442, "Can the Circle Be Unbroken?" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 635)
3. Silber-FSWB, p. 371, "Can the Circle Be Unbroken?" (1 text)
4. DT, CRCUNBRK*
5. Roud #3409
6. BI, R635