Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?

Subject: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: dusterjim
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 09:40 PM

I am looking for the lyrics to the song, - Who Will Sing One Song For Me. Thanks duster

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: GaryD
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 11:16 PM

Sing with Friend? (e)..repeat as echo. Capitals..Sing together

WHO WILL SING ONE SONG FOR ME?...Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs

Oft I sing (e) for my friends (e) TWIN BEDS COLD HANDS I SEE.. but when,(e) I am called,(e) WHO WILL SING ONE SONG FOR ME?

I wonder who, will sing for me. WHEN I AM CALLED TO CROSS THAT SILENT SEA.... CHORUS Who will sing,(e) for me. (bridge)

So I'll sing, (e) till the end (e) AND HELPFUL TRY TO BE.. A-ssured, (e) that some friends, (e) WILL SING ONE SONG FOR ME

CHORUS

CHORUS ------------------- Sorry, that's all I can remember..all my old C&W collection was taken..If anyone can help, it was on an old Flat & Scruggs Album about 20 years ago..Keep on the Sunnyside..Gary

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 10:31 AM

The version we learned in the mountains was slightly different:

Oft I sing for my friends, when death's cold hands I see-- When I reach my journey's end, who will sing one song for me.

So I'll sing until life's end, and helpful try to be-- Always knowing that some friend will sing one song for me.

The line about the twin beds with cold hands is interesting.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: Dale Rose
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 11:56 AM

Who Will Sing For Me? was written by Thomas J. Farris, who lived near Mountain View in Stone County, Arkansas. The song exists in at least a couple of different versions. I am headed toward MtV today, so I will try to bring back the information and post it this evening. An excellent recording is by Emmylou Harris on her Angel Band album on Capitol~~1987, and an even better one (my opinion) is by Bill Clifton and Jimmy Gaudreau on their River of Memories album on Elf~~1994. Unfortunately, both incorrectly identify the source. The ELH album says it was by Ralph and Carter Stanley (though it does mention Trio Music, which leads me to believe that they really knew better) and Bill and Jimmy's recording says it was by Carter. The ELH album has many inaccuracies, including listing Drifting Too Far From The Shore as traditional, rather than crediting its rightful author, Charles Ernest Moody of the Georgia Yellowhammers.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO'LL SING FOR ME (Thomas J Farris)
From: Dale Rose
Date: 24 Sep 97 - 12:03 AM

Here is the song as written by Mr. Farris in 1944. Complicating the matter is the fact that he reworked the song himself, and others have changed it even more. I will put up another version later. The tune is basically the same for all versions.

Who'll Sing For Me? Thomas J Farris
from Grateful Praise Stamps-Baxter Music, 1944

I often sing for those I love,
Who've gone to live with Christ above;
No more on earth their forms I see,
When I am gone who'll sing for me?

Chorus
Who'll sing for me (Who'll sing for me)
When I am gone, (when I am gone,)
As I so oft (As I so oft)
For friends have done? (for friends have done?)
It won't be long (It won't be long)
Till home I see, (till home I see,)
When I am gone (When I am gone)
Who'll sing for me? (who'll sing for me?)

I'm thinking now of my sweet home,
Where grief and pain can never come;
When I am called that home to see,
I hope my friends will sing for me.

Chorus

The time to go is drawing nigh,
Soon I to earth must say goodbye;
Just over there with Christ I'll be,
I want my friends to sing for me.

Chorus

Don't weep for me when I am gone,
Just keep sweet song still rolling on;
Until from earth you are set free,
Remember, friends to sing for me.

Chorus

---

Click to play

---

Click to play (full harmony)

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: GaryD
Date: 24 Sep 97 - 08:51 PM

It's neat to find all those variations..I'll give them a try at tomorrow's Bluegrass Jam..thanks Dale & Bill!

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: Dale Rose
Date: 24 Sep 97 - 09:25 PM

Gary, I was not going to post this until I was ready to type in one of the other variations, but since you are getting ready to do this, you should know that I made an error in the transcript above. I left out the last part of the chorus which was on the next page. Sorry. The full chorus goes like this:

Chorus
Who'll sing for me (Who'll sing for me)
when I am gone, (when I am gone,)
As I so oft (As I so oft)
for friends have done? (for friends have done?)
It won't be long (It won't be long)
till home I see, (till home I see,)
When I am gone (When I am gone)
who'll sing for me? (who'll sing for me?)

There seems to be some part switching in the repeat segments. I will leave you to do that however you like. I couldn't figure out how to make it more clear, so I just kept the same pattern throughout.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO WILL SING FOR ME (Carter Stanley)
From: Dale Rose
Date: 25 Sep 97 - 08:36 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: GaryD
Date: 28 Sep 97 - 08:43 PM

Thanks guys..I'm looking forward to trying out the new versions at the next Jam.."Keep on the Sunnyside!..."Gary

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: dulcimer
Date: 29 Sep 97 - 09:02 PM

Can't add any lyrics, but the song is still sung frequently at the FolkCenter in Mt. View and around the square at night. I first heard it done by the Leatherwoods, who still play and sing around Mt. View, although not the same members. Jean Simmons who works at the dulcimer is a founding member of that group. I have also heard Moon Mullins do it and is performs around Mt. View.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: dusterjim
Date: 01 Oct 97 - 12:04 AM

Hey thanks people, what a great response

duster

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: Dale Rose
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 11:03 PM

Dulcimer, I see you are still stopping by every month or so, or at least posting about that often. Moon still sings it, though I have not heard him do it in a while. The Leatherwoods will be at the Folk Center on Saturday for the Gospel Jubilee Concerts. I have heard them do many songs, but not that one. Maybe we will get lucky and they will do it.

To Dulci: different dulciperson, I suspect. I used to have the sheet music for this one, and can get it again if necessary, just not any time soon. I am getting ready to send RA copies to you, I will start with the Chestnut Grove Quartet doing the version I posted 24-Sep-97 - 12:03 AM.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me
From: harpgirl
Date: 04 Apr 00 - 11:15 PM

...thanks Dale...I can finish learning it without hunting for the dadburned record...this thread preceeds my mudcat initiation!!!! the good old days!!!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Who Will Sing For Me?
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 12:02 AM

For quite a while ~~ make that at least several years, I have been meaning to set the record a little straighter, but have never gotten around to it. So here is a start.

After a good bit of research, I found that the song commonly sung is actually Who Will Sing For Me? with lyrics and music by J. T. Ely, Stamps and Ely, owners. The particular version I have in my hand is No. 49 in Favorite Radio Songs Number Two, collected by Virgil O. Stamps, and published by (who else would it be?) Stamps-Baxter Music & Printing Co., Inc. Dallas, Texas -- Pangburn, Arkansas -- Chattanooga, Tenn, Copyright 1939. No doubt it has been collected in other Stamps-Baxter books as well.

Since Joe has the music for the more commonly printed Who'll Sing For Me by Thomas J. Farris and no doubt MANY recorded versions of Ely's Who Will Sing For Me?, I will send him a scan of Ely's music and the only recorded version that I have of Who'll Sing For Me? by the great a capella Gospel group, The Chestnut Grove Quartet.

Now the complete history of these two songs, which are very similar, and which one actually owes what to the other still eludes me. As I indicated in my opening paragraph, it is something that I somehow got sidetracked from a long time ago. The Ely version copyrighted in a 1939 book and the Farris copyright of 1944 though significant would not necessarily be the final word, as it seems to me that Stamps-Baxter and the other hymn book publishers of the times were notorious at slapping new copyrights on songs that were older.

Subject: ADD Version: Who Will Sing for Me? (Ely)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 02:40 AM

Here's the version Dale sent me from the 1939 Stamps-Baxter book, Favorite Radio Songs Number Two

Who Will Sing for Me?
(lyrics and music by J. T. Ely, Stamps and Ely, owners) - 1939

Oft I sing for my friends,
When death's cold form I see,
But when I am called,
Will some one sing for me? (for me?)

Chorus
I wonder who (I wonder who)
Will sing for me (will sing for me)
When I'm called to cross the silent sea,
Who will sing (who will sing) for me (for me)?

When the voice of my King
Shall call me home above
O who then will sing
The parting song I love? (I love?)
CHORUS

But I know that at last
With our life's record fair,
With trials all past
We shall all sing up there (up there.)
CHORUS

So I'll sing till the end
And helpful try to be,
Assured that some friend
Will sing a song for me. (for me.)
CHORUS

---

Click to play (simple)

---

Click to play (harmony version)

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me/Who'll Sing for Me
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 02:06 PM

I think Joe Hickerson has a recording of this on one of his Folk-Legacy albums. It's a great song.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me/Who'll Sing for Me
From: GUEST,blsmith
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 08:42 PM

The version provided above by Dale Rose (Sept 25/97) was recorded by Finest Kind on their 1999 CD Heart's Delight. --see-- http://www.ianrobb.com/famCAD.html

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me/Who'll Sing for Me
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 10:21 PM

There was a time when this song was sung at practically every funeral in Stone County, Arkansas. It is not sung as often now but still can be heard from time to time. Come to think of it, the old quartets that used to sing at all the funerals are now gone.

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me/Who'll Sing for Me
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 12:48 PM

Subject: RE: Who Will Sing One Song For Me/Who'll Sing for Me
From: GUEST,Rich D'Ippolito
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 12:52 PM

I'm lost, folks. There are two midi files here that i'd like to get the sheet music for: The full harmony version and the 1946 Stamps-Baxter Inspirational Songs version.

Is this possible? How? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST,Anastasia
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 10:20 AM

I sing in an a capella women's octet, and I was wondering about sheet music for the full harmony version. I actually heard it on the Wayfaring Strangers' This Train album. It doesn't look like this has been checked recently, but y'all are my best lead for finding this sheet music, so I'll check back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 02:06 PM

I too have heard a number of different versions. I learned the one I sing from Ginny Hawker whose version is substantially like Emmylou's posted above.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST,Paul Sinasohn
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:34 PM

Well, I have a copy of transcribed music for the Farris lyrics, using the tune Dale Rose linked to back in 1997.

If Rich or Anastasia still want a copy, contact me at

1980calgrad

at

gmail

period

C o M

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Scoville
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 12:13 PM

Also recorded by John McCutcheon on . . . dang, I've forgotten. I think it was Wind that Shakes the Barley.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 08:52 AM

Hello from Missouri where we went to recent Bluegrass Performance by The Marten Family who live in Jefferson City, MO and loved "Who'll Sing For Me" so much our gospel trio wants to try it. Have the words but the music would help. The harmony is so close that I'm not sure we'll do it justice if we can't get the later version which Martens did so beautifully with trio harmony.
What a great response this has turned out to be!!!! [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST,5 string
Date: 07 Oct 08 - 09:26 PM

Who'll Sing For Me was recorded by Jimmy Martin in in 1960. I have the box set, I think it was on the Don't Cry To Me album.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO WILL SING FOR ME? (Stanley Brothers)
From: GUEST,Karen
Date: 27 Jun 09 - 11:49 PM

The Stanley Brothers Who Will Sing One Song For Me

Oft I sing for my friends
when death's cold hand I see
when I reach my journey's end
who will sing one song for me

I wonder (I wonder) who
will sing (will sing) for me
when I'm called to cross that silent sea
who will sing for me

when friends shall gather round
and look down on me
will they turn and walk away
or will they sing one song for me
so I'll sing 'till the end
contendted I will be
assured that some friends
will sing one song for me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST,mike jones
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 09:37 PM

a message to all charles ernest moody and georgia yellowhammers fans:my friend dr. bob l.i have nominated the georgia yellow hammers to the georgia music hall of fame. huge numbers of nominations are made each year so the competition is great for the 4 slots chosen each year. we are in the process of determining our next moves, setting up meetings with some officials who may point us in the right direction. for now, if you have stories,anecdotes, specific thoughts on their uniquesness or special talents and abilities, please blog back. i would greatly appreciate it. by the way i am from calhoun, ga., the home of the hammers. mr. moody's gravesite is less than a thousand feet from my home. somehow, i feel a strong bond with him as listen to his 2 great gospel standards. "drifting and "kneel", more close in me than mr. moodys gravesite.mike j

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST,mike j
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 03:24 PM

dale, i posted a thread recently concerning the nomination of charles e. moody and the georgia yellowhammers being nominated to the georgia music hall of fame. would appreciate your advice on how to get a broader message out. thanks mike j

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: open mike
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 03:36 PM

if you want to hear back from folks on this, i suggest:

1.) starting a new thread with the title more specific.
and
2.)including contact info about how you can be reached

you may need to join mudcat and log on as a member in order to
start a thread--and this allows you to connect with other members
with a personal message (pm)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Janie
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:02 PM

I love it when these older threads get refreshed and I have an opportunity to read them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 04:39 PM

I'm excited to see this thread. I just know the Stanley Brothers version and have often wondered about additional verses. Now I have them. Not ready to be sung for, quite yet, though.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Dec 09 - 06:23 PM

Not to be irreverent or anything, but the apparent mondegreen up top gave me the giggles. "Twin beds, cold hands I see." lol

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 09:47 PM

where can I get the sheet music for this song. I play a dulcimer and would like to play it.
From: Pat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 02:05 PM

I was just looking for this song and came across this old thread. It reminded me of my (our) friends, Dale Rose and Elliott Hancock (Arkie), who I was lucky enough to have met and talked with in person. Every time I'm at the Arkansas Folklore center in Mountain View I'm reminded of how much they are missed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Who Will Sing One Song for Me?
From: topical tom
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 12:56 PM

My favourite version:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwsWCvu0Q6k