on a cold and cloudy day,
when i saw the hearse come rollin'
for to take my mother away.

will the circle be unbroken?
by and by Lord, by and by,
there's a better home a-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky.

i told the undertaker,
"undertaker, please drive slow,
for this body you are haulin'
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-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky.

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 the grave

will the circle be unbroken?
by and by Lord, by and by,
there's a better home a-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky.

i went back home, my home was lonesome,
missed my mother she was gone.
all my brothers and sisters crying
in our home so sad and alone.

will the circle be unbroken?
by and by Lord, by and by,
there's a better home a-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky.

we sang the songs of childhood,
hymns of faith that made us strong,
ones that our mother had taught us,
hear the angels sing along

will the circle be unbroken?
by and by Lord, by and by,
there's a better home a-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky