Will The Circle Be Unbroken

A family-farewell song whose country verses differ from the older hymn of the same name.

Status: Traditional repertoire · working songbook
Writer / source: Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel for the older hymn; Carter Family popularized a later country variant
Rights: Older song or tune family. The source of this particular working version and its arrangement is still being reviewed.
Related Scrips recording: No Scrips recording linked yet.

Source research

Documented lineage

Earliest evidence: 1907 hymn publication for Can the Circle Be Unbroken?
Aliases / index: Can the Circle Be Unbroken?
Working arrangement: Key G · Capo 2 · Banjo - Standard · 4/4 time · 126 BPM (working)

Evidence 01 Evidence 02 Download full research note ↓

Working lyrics + chords

Working song sheet

Download text file ↓ Download ChordPro ↓

Verse:
I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away

Chorus:
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Verse:
Well I told that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For that body you are hauling
Lord, I hate to see her go

Chorus:
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Verse:
Well I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in her grave

Chorus:
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Archive note

This is a working band sheet. Lyrics, repeats, and chord placement remain subject to the band’s final review.

Chords

G · C · D