There are songs that move you, and then there are songs that stay with you. Will the Circle Be Unbroken is one of those rare hymns that isn’t just music—it’s a connection to something bigger than ourselves. It’s a song of faith, loss, and the unshakable hope of reunion beyond this life, making it an anthem for generations who’ve known the sting of goodbye.
Originally written in 1907 by Charles H. Gabriel and Ada R. Habershon, this gospel standard has been passed down through time, taking on new life with every artist who’s touched it. But perhaps no version is more iconic than The Carter Family’s 1935 recording, which transformed it into a country and folk classic. Their haunting harmonies and raw, unpolished sincerity made the song feel like it was being sung right from the heart of a grieving family, gathered around a loved one’s resting place.
What makes Will the Circle Be Unbroken so powerful is its universality. Whether you’ve lost someone recently or are simply reflecting on the passage of time, this song speaks to the shared human experience of longing and love. The lyrics paint a picture of a funeral procession, but the real story is in the voices—voices heavy with sorrow yet lifted by faith. It’s a reminder that though life is fleeting, love and memory form an unbroken chain, stretching beyond the veil of this world into the next.
From country and bluegrass legends to rock and folk revivalists, everyone from Johnny Cash and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to Aretha Franklin and Joan Baez has breathed new life into this timeless melody. It’s a song that invites you to join in, to sing it with others, to feel the ache and the comfort all at once. It’s the kind of song you don’t just listen to—you feel it.
So, will the circle be unbroken? The beauty of this song lies in its answer: As long as we remember, as long as we sing, as long as we carry those we love in our hearts, the answer is always yes
Video