I'll Fly Away

The story of this hymn

Albert E. Brumley began this song in 1929 while picking cotton on his father's Oklahoma farm, daydreaming of flying away from the field, and shaped that longing into a picture of the soul leaving for glory. Published in the early 1930s, it became one of the most recorded gospel songs in history — bluegrass bands, church choirs and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack have all carried it — and at funerals it does what few hymns can: it lets a grieving room sound glad.

Where it sits in the service

The song families choose when they want the service to lift — usually the closing song or the recessional, and it travels well to the graveside. It suits a celebration-of-life tone; clapping is welcome. Everyone knows the chorus even if the verses wobble, so print the title prominently and add a simple line: 'all join in the chorus'.

In the programme, list it in the order of service as “Hymn — I'll Fly Away” with the leader or choir named beside it.

How it is actually sung

Fast, bright and unmistakably joyful, and it belongs at a homegoing or a celebration of life rather than at a burial within days of the death. Congregations sing it readily and it works with very little accompaniment — a guitar or a single voice starting it is enough. Placed at the end of the order it sends a room out lifted rather than heavy, which is usually why it is chosen.

Printing the words

Still in copyright — this page carries a guide rather than the words. Ask the church office about their CCLI licence before printing the lyrics.

This is practical guidance rather than legal advice. Reproduction rights vary by territory, by hymnal edition and by the licence your church holds — the church office is the right place to ask, and they answer this question often.