I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw the hearse come rolling
To carry mother away

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

I said to the undertaker
"Undertaker, please drive slow
For this lady, you are hauling
Lord, I hate to see her go"

I will follow close behind her
Try to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in her grave

Went back home and home was lonesome
Since my mother, she had gone
Found my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone

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

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): Alvin Pleasant Carter