The Staple Singers
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken”
Verse 1
I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw the hearse come
rollin'
Ooo to take my mother away
Chorus
Will the circle be unbroken?
By and by Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky Lord, in the sky
Verse 2
I told the undertaker
"Undertaker, please drive slow
Cause this lady that you're a-
haulin‘
Ooo I hate to see her go."
Chorus
Will the circle be unbroken?
By and by Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky Lord, in the sky
Verse 3
I will follow close behind her
Try to hold up and be brave
But I could not hold my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Chorus
Will the circle be unbroken?
By and by Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waitin'
In the sky Lord, in the sky
The Staple SingersO Family gospel groupO Roots in music of the churchO Led by Roebuck “Pops” StaplesO Gospel-based songwritingO “Pop” bluesy guitarO Mavis’ raspy lead vocalsO Cleotha and Yvonne singing
harmonies
Roebuck “Pops” Staples
O Born in 1915 in Winona, Mississippi.
O Grew up playing guitar in the blues style.
O 1937, played in a Mississippi-based spiritual group called the Golden Trumpets.
O Moved to Chicago with his wife, Oceola, in 1941.
The Staple SingersO They became
regulars on a Sunday radio show.
O Cut their first single in 1953.
O Recorded with Chicago Based Vee-Jay Records from 1956-1962.
The Civil Right Movement
O Recorded with New York based Riverside Records.
O Influenced by Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie.
O In 1962 they hear Dr. King’s sermon in Montgomery, AL.
Gospel to PopO In 1968, The Staple
Singers sign a contract with Memphis-based Stax Records.
O 1970, Pervis leaves the group and Yvonne replaces him.
O Move to Curtom Label in 1974 and finally, Warner Bros. until 1980.
Two Number One Singles
O Their songs reached the Top 40 eight times from 1971 to 1975.
O They had two #1 hits: “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again.”
Mavis StaplesO Mavis and Pops
go on to make solo albums.
O They both win Grammy’s for their solo albums.
O Mavis received honorary doctorates.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
Cleotha1934-2013
Pops1915-2000
The Staple Singers
Receive Grammy Lifetime Achievement
2005