Blue Sky Boys (Bill and Earl Bolick) - Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? (live) - 1946

Recorded at WGST in Atlanta, GA in 1946. Issued as “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?” on the compilation album “Folk Music In America: Volume 9: Songs Of Death & Tragedy” (The Library Of Congress LBC 9, 1978). Reissued on the compilation album “I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore: 1927-1948” (Mississippi Records MR-014, 2007). Features Bill Bolick (mandolin and tenor vocal), Earl Bolick (guitar and bass vocal) and Curly Parker (fiddle and lead vocal). Song composed by Rev. George Beebe and H. E. McAfee (published in 1900 as “Will You Miss Me?”). Song first issued by the Carter Family as “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?” (Victor 21638, 1928) (Victor 21638 label credits songwriter as A. P. Carter). Remake of song issued by the Carter Family as “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone” (Banner 33464, Conqueror 8540, Perfect 13154 and others, 1935). Song issued by Woody Guthrie as “Will You Miss Me?” on the album “Sings Folk Songs” (Folkways FA 2483, 1962).
Lyrics as published in “Songs for the Singing, Normal and Literary Schools” (J. B. Vaughan, Athens, Ga., 1900):
When death shall close these eye-lids,
And this heart shall cease to beat,
And they lay me down to rest
In some flow’ry-bound re-treat.
Refrain.
Will you miss me? (miss me when I’m gone,)
Will you miss me? (miss me when I’m gone,)
Will you miss me? (miss me when I’m gone,)
Will you miss me when I’m gone?
When my footsteps ne’er are heard,
And these lips are pale and cold,
And a winding sheet of daises
This frail tenement en-fold.
When these lips shall never more,
Press a kiss upon they brow,
But lie still and cold in death
Will you love me then as now?
Perhaps you’ll plant a flower
On my poor unworthy grave,
And come sit alone beside me
When the roses nod and move.
Refrain. 4th v.
Yes! you’ll miss me!
You will miss me!
Yes! you’ll miss me!
You will miss me when I’m gone?
One sweet hope my soul shall cherish
Till this fleeting life has flown,
This sweet tho’t will cheer when dying
You will miss me when I’m gone!

[@paulallen3557]

I've heard all the verses as listed here in different versions of the song. To read them all together like that though seemed particularly moving. Ralph sang a verse once when Carter was ill that goes, "On a cold, dark Sunday morning, in a country far away, A little girl from Old Kentucky, lifted up her voice to say..." then the chorus. Wonder where he came up with that one?

[@BillyQSmith]

Yes, there is a Stanley Brothers version with, as you note, a mysterious verse. It was recorded by Ray Davis at 4801 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD on December 14, 1963 and first issued on the album “John’s Country Quartet” (Wango LP-104, ca. 1964-1965). It was reissued on the album “John’s Gospel Quartet” (Wango LP-105, ca. 1964-1965). Both of these 2 Wango LPs were reissued on County, and the former was also reissued on Rebel (with different titles). I posted that version to YT and added the extra set of lyrics in the Description. Here’s a link: ruclips.net/video/mx7DLY0yD7A/видео.html

[@BillyQSmith]

Here’s a Playlist with 14 favorite audio recordings by the Blue Sky Boys (including this one): ruclips.net/p/PLKpTLqaL2LyQub09Co6NgP_9jAA6Tog2F&si=WRg9gthjug8PbwLq