Hymnary.org confirms that WE SHALL ALL BE REUNITED was indeed written by N. S. Sitzlar; furthermore, it was published in Evangel Light, edited by G. M. Bateman (Knoxville: Bateman Bros., 1920), as hymn #160. I could not find the original text, but I listened to Karnes’ recording, and I have marked corrections to 12-stringer’s version below:


WE SHALL ALL BE REUNITED
As recorded by Alfred Karnes, 1928.

1. Where is now my father's fam’ly
That was here so long ago,
Sitting round the kitchen fireside,
Brightened by the ruddied glow?

CHORUS: We shall all be reunited
In that land beyond the skies,
Where there'll be no separation,
No more parting, no more sighs.

2. Some have gone to lands far distant
And with others made their home.
Some upon the world of waters
All their lives have chose to roam. CHORUS

3. Some have gone from us forever,
For with us they could not stay.
They have all dispersed and wandered,
Gone away, so far away. CHORUS

4. We shall meet beyond the river
In that land of pure delight,
Where no sickness or no sorrow
Will our joys ever blight. CHORUS TWICE


[This has also been recorded by Patty Griffin, Doc Watson, and several others. I suspect 12-stringer got his version from Doc Watson.]