Who Will Sing For Me?As recorded by Bill Clifton and Jimmy Gaudreau (Elf 103), and credited to Carter Stanley. I cannot verify the actual origin of this version. The Emmylou Harris recording has only minor variations, and she does not sing the third verse.
Oft I sing for my friends,
when death's cold form I see,
but when I reach my journey's end,
who will sing one song for me?
Chorus(Jimmy's harmony part defies my ability to transcribe, so here are just the words)
I wonder who will sing for me?
When I'm called to cross
that silent sea,
who will sing one song for me?
And when friends are gathered round,
and look down on me,
will they turn and walk away,
or will they sing one song for me?
Chorus
And so I'll sing until the end,
and helpful try to be,
ever knowing that some friend
will sing one song for me.
Chorus
I don't know why I didn't think of it before, but there is a great a capella recording of the T J Farris 1944 version on County 2709, The Legendary Chestnut Grove Quartet.