Traditional / public domain

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

A working songbook entry preserved from repertoire, set-list, or reference evidence.

Status
listed in master repertoire · unknown
Writer / source
Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel for the older hymn; Carter Family popularized a later country variant
Rights
Public domain in the United States. Traditional arrangement by The Scrips.
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

Lyrics + source text

Working song sheet

Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel for the older hymn; Carter Family popularized a later country variant
Rights: public-domain-us

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

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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

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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

lyric/chord sheet present; listed in master list; appears in setlist

Chords

G · C · D