I'll Fly Away

"I'll Fly Away"
by Albert E. Brumley
GenreHymn
Textby Albert E. Brumley
LanguageEnglish
Meter9.4.9.4
Melody"I'll Fly Away"
Composed1929 (1929)
Published1932 (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.[1][2] Brumley's writing was influenced by the 1924 secular ballad, "The Prisoner's Song".

"I'll Fly Away" has been called the most recorded gospel song.[1][2] It is frequently used in worship services by Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, the Churches of Christ and many Methodists.[3] 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, including jazz funerals in the New Orleans tradition.

  1. ^ a b Richard Matteson, Jr., The Bluegrass Picker's Tune Book, Mel Bay Publications, 2006 (accessed at Google books on March 4, 2011)
  2. ^ a b Barnett, David (2006), Honky Tonks, Hymns, and the Blues, retrieved October 30, 2009
  3. ^ Joe Edwards, 'I'll Fly Away' hymn classic, Associated Press/Kentucky New Era, March 13, 1987, page 4D