Confusion still reigns at Mudcat concerning "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" and who wrote them.

Gene, in this thread back in 1997, correctly posted the words and the names of the authors of "Will The Circle be Unbroken." The words are the work of Ada Ruth Habershon (1861-1918, born in London, England), written before 1908, with music by Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932). The Cyberhymnal provides a midi of the tune.

Frances Jane (Fanny) Crosby (1820-1915, born in New York) wrote many hymns, under a number of names, but "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" was not one of them. The Cyberhymnal contains quite a number of her compositions.

There is similarity between the tune composed by Charles Gabriel and that of "Can the Circle Be Unbroken," composed by the Carters(?)

The Habershon-Gabriel composition was made famous through The Grand Old Opry but Fanny Crosby did not write it.

The Cyberhymnal is looking for a picture of Ada Habershon and information about her place of burial. She wrote well over 200 hymns but few survive in print. She lectured in America and her lectures were published. The Cyberhymnal has five of her hymns, including "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
The song bears little relationship to "Can the Circle Be Unbroken," except the chorus, which may have been borrowed, with slight changes.

The words and midi, in the Cyberhymnal: Will The Circle