Lyrics: Albert E. Brumley, 1929.
Music: Albert E. Brumley
Theme: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16-17
Here’s Allison Krauss singing with scenes from the movie O Brother Where Art Thou.
My brother-in-law loved that movie; I was and am completely unable to share his enthusiasm, except for the music which is worth enduring the tediousness of the movie.
I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away
Chorus
I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
When the shadows of this life have gone
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I’ll fly away
Oh how glad and happy when we meet
I’ll fly away
No more cold iron shackles on my feet
I’ll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys will never end
I’ll fly away
Albert E. Brumley, the author and composer of this famous gospel hit, was the son of an Oklahoma share-cropper, and at the age of sixteen he decided to write gospel music.
“In 1926 Albert made a life-altering decision. He left the family farm and traveled east toward Hartford, Arkansas, searching for a “Good Samaritan.” His name was Eugene Monroe Bartlett, owner of the Hartford Music Company and director of the Hartford Musical Institute. . . . Throwing back his frail shoulders, Albert found the Institute and soon located Mr. Bartlett in his office. He introduced himself and said, “Mr. Bartlett, I hear that you’ll teach a fella how to sing and how to write music. I’ve come to learn and I understand I don’t have to have any money.”
Mr. Bartlett asked Albert if he at least had money for tuition, which was five dollars. Albert answered, “No, sir.” Bartlett then asked if he had any money for his room and board. Again the answer came, “No sir, Mr. Bartlett, I don’t have any money period.”
Albert never forgot what happened next. The “Good Samaritan” looked the frail young man up and down and said, “Well, in that case you better go over to my house and board.”
Brumley spent the rest of his life writing music,and he eventually bought Eugene Bartlett’s music publishing company after Bartlett’s death.
You can listen to this gospel favorite sung by almost any country or folk or gospel artist you want to hear. They’ve all recorded it: Wynona Judd, Johnny Cash, Jars of Clay, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Nickel Creek, Hank Williams, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Kanye West, WIllie Nelson, Plainsong, Ronnie Milsap, Aretha Franklin, George Jones, Avalon, and Jerry Lee Lewis, just to link and name a few.
Sources:
Biographical Sketch on the Life of Albert E. Brumley.
Thank you for the third verse! I knew it existed (I think they sing it in O Brother, Where Art Thou?) but none of the six hymnals I have indexed it in has it, and I couldn’t recall the words when I wanted us to sing it at church (we sing “I’ll Fly Away” probably on average twice a month at PSST). Next fall I’ll be able to introduce it thanks to you!
One other point: our hymnal gives the incipit as “Some glad morning” rather than “bright” as you and Alison have it. A bit of googling suggests that “glad” is about twice as frequent as “bright” in the context. Any idea which was original, and who changed it, when and why, and whether the Brumley firm approves?
I love this song! And you’re right, the music is the best part of O BROTHER. The first time I watched it I didn’t like it at all, but it sort of grew on me over time and now I think it is pretty good – but the music is still the best part. 🙂
by the way, thanks for all the links to different versions – I’ve always loved the Alan Jackson one, and of course Willie Nelson’s, but now I really like the Jerry Lee Lewis version too
Our campers…Fellowship Bible Camp….love this song. They wanted to know when it was written. I have searched long and hard. Thanks for supplying the info