ill fly away

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1929

I'll Fly Away

“I’ll Fly Away” is one of the most recorded and beloved gospel hymns in American music history.

✍️ Origins

The song was written in 1929 (published in 1932) by Albert E. Brumley, a former cotton picker from Oklahoma who became one of the most influential gospel songwriters of the 20th century.

Brumley said he was inspired while picking cotton and imagining a better life beyond hardship. The lyric “some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away” reflects themes of hope, heaven, and freedom from earthly struggles—ideas that resonated deeply during the Great Depression.

🎵 Musical Style & Influence

  • Rooted in Southern gospel tradition

  • Simple melody designed for congregational singing

  • Became a staple in churches, revivals, and shape-note singing conventions

It is often considered one of the most recorded gospel songs of all time.

📀 Notable Recordings

The hymn has been recorded by hundreds of artists across genres, including:

  • Alison Krauss

  • Johnny Cash

  • Gillian Welch

  • The Kossoy Sisters

It crossed from gospel into country, bluegrass, and folk traditions, becoming part of the broader American roots music canon.

🎬 Pop Culture

The song gained renewed popularity after being featured in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, introducing it to a new generation.

🌅 Legacy

“I’ll Fly Away” remains:

  • A funeral and memorial favorite

  • A hymn of comfort and hope

  • One of the most enduring gospel standards ever written

Its message of spiritual freedom and eternal rest continues to resonate nearly a century after it was written.

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