I 'll Fly Away - wikipedia I 'll Fly Away For other uses, see I 'll Fly Away ( disambiguation ). `` The template Infobox musical composition is being considered for merging. '' `` I 'll Fly Away '' by Albert E. Brumley Genre Hymn Text by Albert E. Brumley Language English Meter 9.4. 9.4 Melody `` I 'll Fly Away '' Composed 1929 ( 1929 ) Published 1932 ( 1932 ) `` I 'll Fly Away '', is a hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company in a collection titled Wonderful Message. Brumley 's writing was influenced in part by an older secular ballad. `` I 'll Fly Away '' has been called the most recorded gospel song, and it is frequently used in worship services by Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, the Churches of Christ and many Methodists. It appears in many hymnals where it is listed under the topics of eternal life, heaven and acceptance. It is a standard song at bluegrass jam sessions and is often performed at funerals. Contents 1 History 2 Recordings 2.1 The Selah Jubilee Singers 2.2 James and Martha Carson 2.3 The Chuck Wagon Gang 2.4 The Kossoy Sisters 2.5 George Jones 2.6 Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch 2.7 Jars of Clay 2.8 Alan Jackson 2.9 List of recordings 3 Sampling lawsuit 4 In print 4.1 Hymnals and other church texts 4.2 Other songbooks 5 Occurrences in film and television 6 References History Albert E. Brumley has been described as the `` pre-eminent gospel songwriter '' of the 20th century with over 600 published songs. Other titles of his include `` Jesus, Hold My Hand '', `` Turn Your Radio On '', `` I 'll Meet You in the Morning '', and `` This World Is Not My Home ''. According to interviews, Brumley came up with the idea for the song while picking cotton on his father 's farm in Rock Island, Oklahoma. Brumley says that as he worked he was `` humming the old ballad that went like this : ' If I had the wings of an angel, over these prison walls I would fly, ' and suddenly it dawned on me that I could use this plot for a gospel - type song. '' The song Brumley described appears to be `` The Prisoner 's Song ''. It was an additional three years later until Brumley worked out the rest of the song, paraphrasing one line from the secular ballad to read, `` Like a bird from prison bars has flown '' using prison as an analogy for earthly life. Brumley has stated, `` When I wrote it, I had no idea that it would become so universally popular. '' Recordings The Selah Jubilee Singers `` I 'll Fly Away '' Single by Selah Jubilee Singers Released ? Format 78 rpm Recorded February 21, 1941 Genre gospel Label Decca 7831 ( reissued Document DOCD 5499 ) Songwriter ( s ) Albert E. Brumley One of the earliest recordings of `` I 'll Fly Away '' was made by the Selah Jubilee Singers in February 1941 for Decca Records. The group was founded around 1927 by Thermon Ruth, a disc jockey at radio station WOR in Brooklyn New York. ( Released date ? ) - Decca 7831 - `` Hide me in thy Bosom '' / `` I 'll Fly Away '' James and Martha Carson `` I 'll Fly Away '' Single by James and Martha Carson Released 1951 Format Short Play Recorded ? Genre gospel Label Capitol 1415 Songwriter ( s ) Albert E. Brumley James and Martha Carson, also known as the `` Barn Dance Sweethearts '' released their first recordings on White Church in 1947 and later signed with Capitol in 1949. They recorded 22 numbers for Capitol and `` I 'll Fly Away '' is one of a half - dozen that `` did well '' for them. 1951 - Capitol 1415 - `` I 'll Fly Away '' / `` We Will Rise and Shine '' The Chuck Wagon Gang `` I 'll Fly Away '' Single by Chuck Wagon Gang Released 1950 ( ? ) Format 78 rpm Recorded December 16, 1948 Genre gospel Label Columbia Songwriter ( s ) Albert E. Brumley The Chuck Wagon Gang 's 1948 recording of `` I 'll Fly Away '' for Columbia sold over one million copies and ranks among the top selling gospel records of all - time, and is listed among the top selling songs of the 1940s in general. In 1950, Billboard reported that American disc jockeys voted the Chuck Wagon Gang `` 18th most popular of all singing groups in the nation, '' considering all music genres, and the third most popular recording artist for Columbia. In a history given by the current Chuck Wagon Gang, their recording of `` I 'll Fly Away '' is described as the `` first commercially licensed '' release. '' Their recording appears to have had two releases on Columbia, first as a B - side in 1949, then as an A-side in 1950. 1949 - Columbia 20599 - `` Dream Boat '' / `` I 'll Fly Away '' 1950 - Columbia 20701 - `` I 'll Fly Away '' / `` Looking for a City '' In 2017, the Chuck Wagon Gang 's recording of `` I 'll Fly Away '' was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being `` culturally, historically, or artistically significant. '' The Kossoy Sisters In 1956, the Kossoy Sisters included `` I 'll Fly Away '' on the album, Bowling Green, which featured instrumental backing by Erik Darling. The Kossoys, actually twin sisters Irene Saletan and Ellen Christenson, are known for their close harmony singing, which is exemplified on this track. Their recording was introduced to a wider audience when it was included in the 2000 Coen Brothers film, O Brother, Where Art Thou ?. George Jones George Jones recorded an energetic version on his classic 1965 gospel LP Old Brush Arbors. Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch There have been numerous recordings of `` I 'll Fly Away '' since its inclusion in the 2000 film O Brother Where Art Thou ?, although a vintage recording was used in the film itself, ( see Kossoy Sisters above ), a contemporary recording by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch was chosen for the O Brother, Where Art Thou ? soundtrack. The spare recording, produced by T - Bone Burnett, features Welch on lead vocals with Krauss singing harmony. Their voices are accompanied by Mike Compton on mandolin and Chris Sharp on guitar. The soundtrack sold over eight million copies, reached the top position on at least four of Billboard 's album charts, and was named Album of the Year and Best Soundtrack album at the 44th Grammy Awards in February 2002. Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch performed the song again for a May 24, 2000 concert at the Ryman Auditorium that featured many of the artists from the O Brother soundtrack. Film from the concert was used to create the 2000 documentary, Down from the Mountain. Krauss and Welch 's live performance is included as the final track on the Down from the Mountain soundtrack album, which sold over 500,000 copies, won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album, and appeared on several of Billboard 's charts. Both the studio and live performances by Krauss and Welch were popular among folk music disk jockeys. The two recordings were ranked at No. 7 and No. 47 respectively on the Top Songs of 2001 Folk Radio airplay chart. Jars of Clay The Christian rock band Jars of Clay have recorded `` I 'll Fly Away '' twice, first, for the 2004 various artists compilation album, WOW Worship : Red and again for their own 2005 album, Redemption Songs. The latter features guest vocals by Sarah Kelly. Redemption Songs reached No. 1 on Billboard 's Top Christian Albums chart and No. 71 on the Billboard 200. Their recording of the song was popular enough on Christian radio to be placed at No. 1 on a list of the Top Songs of 2005 by at least one station. Alan Jackson Alan Jackson included `` I 'll Fly Away '' on his first ever gospel album, Precious Memories ( 2006 ). He offers an up - tempo performance with guitar and piano solos. Jackson 's album sold over 1 million copies and reached the top position on Billboard 's charts for Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums, as well as No. 4 on the Billboard 200. List of recordings This will likely always be an incomplete list. The listings at Allmusic are in excess of 1000 entries. 1941 - Selah Jubilee Singers, single ( Decca 7831 ) 1956 - Kossoy Sisters with Erik Darling on Bowling Green ( re-released 1996, Rykodisc ) 1961 - Red Foley on Songs of Devotion ( Decca ) 1961 - Reverend Gary Davis on A Little More Faith ( Prestige ) 1961 - Carolyn Hester on Carolyn Hester ( Columbia ) ( The song also featured Bob Dylan playing harmonica. It was during this session when John Hammond met Bob Dylan who later signed him to Columbia. ) 1965 - George Jones on Old Brush Arbors ( Musicor Records ) 1966 - The Dillards on Wheatstraw Suite ( Elektra ) 1968 - The Chambers Brothers on Groovin ' Time ( Folkways FW31008 ) ( Performed as a medley `` Rough and Rocky Road / I 'll Fly Away '' ) 1971 - Charley Pride on Did You Think To Pray ( RCA Records ) ( Remastered : 2012 Music City Records ) 1972 - Andy Griffith on Somebody Bigger Than You and I ( re-released 1996, Sony ) 1972 - Plainsong on In Search of Amelia Earhart ( Elektra ) 1973 - The Wailers in Rastaman Chant on Burnin ' ( Island ) 1985 - Vern Gosdin on If Jesus Comes Tomorrow 1991 - Sounds of Blackness on The Evolution of Gospel 1995 - Crystal Gayle on Someday 1997 - Aretha Franklin on Diana, Princess of Wales : Tribute 1998 - Gary Chapman and Wynonna Judd on Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture ' The Apostle ' ( Rising Tide ) 1999 - The Osmonds on Gospel Favorites 2000 - Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch on O Brother, Where Art Thou ? soundtrack 2001 - Dessie O'Halloran on The Pound Road Album 2001 - The Word on The Word Album 2002 - The Avett Brothers on Live at the Double Door Inn 2002 - Brenda Lee on Sweet Nothings 2003 - Randy Travis on Worship & Faith 2004 - Kanye West on The College Dropout 2004 - Mark Klein on It 's Just Me 2004 - Johnny Cash on My Mother 's Hymn Book 2004 - The Dirty Dozen Brass Band ( with Davell Crawford Singers, featuring Melody Palmer ) on Funeral for a Friend 2004 - Willie Nelson with Merle Haggard on Outlaws and Angels 2005 - Hot 8 Brass Band on Rock with the Hot 8 2005 - Ralph Stanley on Shine On 2005 - Jars of Clay on Redemption Songs ( Essential ) 2005 - Mississippi John Hurt on D.C. Blues : Library of Congress Recordings, Vol. 2 ( Recorded July 1963 ) 2006 - Alan Jackson on Precious Memories 2006 - Avalon on Faith : A Hymns Collection 2006 - Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir on Say Yo ' Business 2008 - The Blind Boys of Alabama on Down in New Orleans 2008 - Castanets on City of Refuge 2008 - I Am Terrified on I Am Terrified EP 2009 - All Angels on Fly Away 2009 - Daniel O'Donnell on Peace in the Valley 2011 - Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Del McCoury Band on American Legacies 2012 - The Ragbirds on Travelin ' Machine 2012 - Flatfoot 56 on Toil 2014 - Xiu Xiu on Unclouded sky 2016 - Michael W. Smith on Hymns II - Shine On Us Sampling lawsuit `` I 'll Fly Away '' was sampled without permission for the Grammy - winning song `` I 'll Be Missing You '' recorded in 1997 by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. In 2000, the songwriter 's heirs, Albert E. Brumley & Sons, Inc. settled a copyright infringement suit filed against Arista Records, Faith Evans, Illegal Songs Inc., Chyna Baby Music, Janice Combs Publishing Inc., Magnetic Publishing Ltd. and Bad Boy Entertainment. In the settlement, the defendants acknowledged that Albert E. Brumley & Sons were the rightful copyright owners of `` I 'll Fly Away '' and compensated them for an undisclosed amount. In print Hymnals and other church texts African American Heritage Hymnal ( # 601 ) Baptist Hymnal, 2008 ( # 601 ) Celebration Hymnal ( # 779 ) The Faith We Sing ( # 2282 ) Favorite Songs and Hymns ( # 179 ) Heavenly Highway Hymns ( # 54 ) The New National Baptist Hymnal ( # 432 ), 1977 Sing the Faith : New Hymns for Presbyterians ( # 2282 ) Other songbooks Wonderful Message, Hartford Music Company, 1932 ( This is the original publication of the song ) The Bluegrass Picker 's Tune Book, Mel Bay Publications, 2006 Occurrences in film and television Two episodes of the television series The Waltons ( 1971 - 1980 ) featured this hymn - one performed on the radio by a studio cover group called `` Mayf Nutter & The Sunrise Gospeleers '' in the 1975 episode, `` Breakdown ; '' and the other as a live performance by Jon Walmsley and Linda Purl in the 1977 episode, `` The Heartbreaker. '' The 1991 - 93 television series `` I 'll Fly Away '' was named after the hymn. This hymn is played in the 1997 film, The Apostle and is performed by Gary Chapman and Wynonna Judd on the soundtrack. The Kossoy Sisters version was used in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou ?, and the Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch version is used on the film 's soundtrack CD. The hymn appears on the soundtrack of Spike Lee 's 2006 documentary film When the Levees Broke. This Krauss & Welch version was used during the final scene of the final episode ( `` And Away We Go, '' 2007 ) of the 7th Heaven. The hymn is sung by mourners at a funeral in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. The first - season finale of the 2010 HBO program Treme is named after the hymn, and it is performed at the end of the episode as part of a second line by the Treme Brass Band. References ^ Jump up to : Richard Matteson, Jr., The Bluegrass Picker 's Tune Book, Mel Bay Publications, 2006 ( accessed at Google books on 04 - 03 - 2011 ) ^ Jump up to : Barnett, David ( 2006 ), Honky Tonks, Hymns, and the Blues, retrieved 2009 - 10 - 30 ^ Jump up to : Joe Edwards, ' I 'll Fly Away ' hymn classic, Associated Press / Kentucky New Era, Mar 13 1987, page 4D Jump up ^ W.K. McNeil, Encyclopeida of American Gospel Music, Routlage, 2005, page 54 ^ Jump up to : Dixon, Robert M.W. Blues and Gospel Records : 1890 - 1943, Oxford University Press ( 1997 ), page 785 - ISBN 0 - 19 - 816239 - 1 Jump up ^ Allan F. Moore, The Cambridge companion to blues and gospel music, Cambridge University Press, 2002, p. 192 Jump up ^ Decca 7500 - 8000 series Numerical Listing, THE ONLINE DISCOGRAPHICAL PROJECT Jump up ^ W.K. McNeil, Encyclopedia of American gospel music, p. 66 Jump up ^ James and Martha Carson Discographie, Rocky Productions, June 14, 2005 ^ Jump up to : Chuck Wagon Gang : Discographie, Rocky Productions, Oct 23, 2010 ^ Jump up to : History : The Chuck Wagon Gang ( official web site of the band 's current incarnation ) Jump up ^ Bil Carpenter, Uncloudy days : the gospel music encyclopeida, 2005 ( numbers referenced are based on RIAA figures ) Jump up ^ `` Music - Top Songs of the Century ''. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Jump up ^ `` National Recording Registry Picks Are `` Over the Rainbow '' ``. Library of Congress. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Jon Johnson, O Kossoy Sisters, where art thou been ?, Country Standard Time, January 2003 Jump up ^ Dan Pashman, What 's the Best `` I 'll Fly Away '' Ever ?, The Bryant Park Project : NPR, June 17, 2008 Jump up ^ RIAA database ( a search shows O Brother, Where Art Thou ? was certified 8XMulti Platinum on 10 / 10 / 2007, accessed 04 / 06 / 2011 ) Jump up ^ `` O Brother, Where Art Thou ? ( Original Soundtrack ) ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Jump up ^ RIAA database ( a search shows Down from the Mountain was certified Gold on 01 / 23 / 2003, accessed 04 / 06 / 2011 ) Jump up ^ `` Down from the Mountain : O Brother, Where Art Thou ? ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Jump up ^ Richard Gillmann, Top Songs of 2001, folkrado.org ( accessed 04 / 06 / 2011 ) Jump up ^ Redemption Songs charts and awards at Allmusic.com Jump up ^ `` Top Songs of 2005 - US Singles Charts ''. AlaskaJim.com. Retrieved April 3, 2011. Jump up ^ RIAA database ( a search shows Precious Memories was certified Platinum on 08 / 03 / 2006, accessed 04 / 06 / 2011 ) Jump up ^ Precious Memories charts and awards at Allmusic.com Jump up ^ Search results for `` I 'll Fly Away '' at Allmusic.com Jump up ^ `` Smithsonian Folkways - Groovin ' Time ''. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Jump up ^ Somebody Bigger Than You and I at Allmusic.com Jump up ^ D.C. Blues : Library of Congress Recordings, Vol. 2 at Allmusic.com Jump up ^ ( 1 ) at Amazon.com Jump up ^ ( 2 ) at Amazon.com Jump up ^ Review at inyourspeakers.com Jump up ^ `` '' HYMNS II : SHINE ON US releases on January 29, 2016 ``. Retrieved 6 February 2016. Jump up ^ Publisher settles copyright lawsuit, Nashville Business Journal, September 26, 2000 Jump up ^ `` African American Heritage Hymnal 601. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Baptist Hymnal 2008 601. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Celebration Hymnal 779. Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I 'll fly away ; ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ `` The Faith We Sing 2282. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Favorite Songs and Hymns 179. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Stamps - Baxter Music. 1939. Retrieved 2015 - 08 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Heavenly Highway Hymns 54. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Stamps - Baxter Music. 1956. Retrieved 2015 - 08 - 24. Jump up ^ `` The New National Baptist Hymnal 432. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Sing the Faith 2282. Some glad morning when this life is o'er ''. Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2012 - 02 - 24. ^ Jump up to : Song Catalog - TV at brumleymusic.com ^ Jump up to : Song Catalog - movies at brumleymusic.com Jump up ^ Allison Keyes, The Sounds And Soul Of Treme, Tell Me More, NPR, August 26, 2010 Jars of Clay Band members Non-member performers Dan Haseltine Stephen Mason Matt Odmark Charlie Lowell Former Matt Bronleewe Jake Goss Gabe Ruschival Former Scott Savage Aaron Sands Joe Porter Jeremy Lutito Alex Fragiskatos Discography Studio albums Jars of Clay Much Afraid If I Left the Zoo The Eleventh Hour Furthermore : From the Studio, from the Stage Who We Are Instead Redemption Songs Good Monsters Christmas Songs The Long Fall Back to Earth The Shelter Inland Compilation albums Jar of Gems The Essential Jars of Clay Greatest Hits Other releases Drummer Boy Stringtown The White Elephant Sessions Front Yard Luge 11Live : Jars of Clay in Concert iTunes Originals Roots & Wings Mini Monsters Live Monsters Closer Live at Gray Matters See also List of awards Ron Aniello Adrian Belew Dennis Herring Mark Hudson Stephen Lipson Greg Wells `` Frail '' City on a Hill Blood : Water Mission Essential Records Gray Matters Greenville College Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=I%27ll_Fly_Away&oldid=833850068 '' Categories : American Christian hymns 1929 songs American folklore 2005 singles Capitol Records singles Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Edit links This page was last edited on 2 April 2018, at 18 : 28. 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Question: when was the song i'll fly away written
Answer: 1929