1. I was standing by my window on one cold and cloudy day,
when I saw the hearse come rollin' for to carry my mother away.
Will the circle be unbroken? By and by Lord, by and by.
There's a better home a-waitin', in the sky Lord, in the sky.
2. I said to the undertaker, "Undertaker, please drive slow,
for this lady you are carrying, Lord, I hate to see her go."
3. Well, I followed close behind her, tried to hold up and be brave,
but I could not hide my sorrow when they laid her in the grave.
4. I went back home, my home was lonesome,
missed my mother she was gone.
All my brothers and sisters crying in our home so sad and lone.
5. We sang the songs of childhood, hymns of faith that made us strong,
ones that our mother had taught us, hear the angels sing along.
6. One by one the seats were empty, one by one they went away,
now my family, they are parted, will they meet again someday?