I'll Fly Away

For other uses, see I'll Fly Away (disambiguation).

"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