About The Song
“I’ll Fly Away” is a traditional gospel song written by Albert E. Brumley in 1929, first published in 1932 by the Hartford Music Company. Vern Gosdin recorded his version, infusing it with his signature country flair, and it was released on his 1984 album If Jesus Comes Tomorrow (What Then) on Compleat Records. The song also appeared on his 1985 album Time Stood Still and later compilations like The Gospel Album (2009) and 40 Years of the Voice (2008). Gosdin’s rendition reached a broader audience through its inclusion on these collections, showcasing his deep connection to gospel roots from his early days with the Gosdin Brothers quartet.
The recording took place in Nashville, produced with a focus on preserving the hymn’s spiritual essence. Gosdin’s version features a simple arrangement with acoustic guitar, piano, and harmonized backing vocals, likely including his brother Rex Gosdin, who often collaborated with him. The production highlights Gosdin’s emotive voice—often dubbed “The Voice” for its mournful quality—delivering lines like “Some glad morning when this life is o’er / I’ll fly away.” This arrangement contrasts with earlier versions by the Chuck Wagon Gang (1948) and the Statesmen Quartet (1950), adding a country twist that resonated with his fanbase.
Brumley, a prolific hymn writer, drew inspiration from a lonely field in Oklahoma, where he worked picking cotton, imagining freedom beyond earthly struggles. In a 1966 interview with the Stamps-Baxter Music Company, he said, “I got the idea from a song about a convict who longed to escape, and it just grew into ‘I’ll Fly Away.’” Gosdin’s interpretation carries this theme of liberation, reflecting his personal faith and the hardships he faced in his career. A 2024 post on X by @GospelTunes praised Gosdin’s version, calling it “a soulful escape to heaven’s gates.”
The song has been covered by countless artists across genres, with over 1,000 recorded versions listed on SecondHandSongs. Notable renditions include those by the Carter Family (1941), Elvis Presley (1971 on He Touched Me), and Alison Krauss with Gillian Welch for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack (2000), which won a Grammy. Gosdin’s take stands out for its country gospel blend, appealing to listeners during the neo-traditionalist movement of the ‘80s. It was performed live on Gospel Hour in 1985, showcasing his ability to connect spiritually with audiences.
“I’ll Fly Away” remains a staple in Southern gospel and country music, often sung in churches and at funerals. Its inclusion in films like Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and TV shows like The Waltons (1972) has kept it culturally relevant. For Gosdin, it marked a return to his gospel origins, balancing his heartbreak ballads with faith-based songs. The track’s timeless message of hope continues to inspire, with streams on Spotify showing steady interest since its 2009 digital release.
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Lyric
Some glad morning when this life is o’er
I’ll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly awayI’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away, in the morning
When I die, hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly awayWhen the shadows of this life have grown
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I’ll fly awayI’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away, in the morning
When I die, hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly awayJust a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joys shall never end
I’ll fly awayI’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away, in the morning
When I die, hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away