When I Lay My Burden Down

(Glory, Glory)

performed by the Byrds
written by Arthur Reynolds

Glory, Glory Hallelujah
Since I laid my burden down
Glory, Glory Hallelujah
Since I laid my burden down

I feel so much better
so much better
Since I laid my burden down
I feel so much better
so much better
Since I laid my burden down

Glory, Glory Hallelujah…

Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus
Help me lay my burden down
I wanna thank you Jesus,
thank you Jesus
Help me lay my burden down

Glory, Glory Hallelujah…



Furry Lewis



This old traditional song has evolved in many directions. It has been recorded by The Maddox Brothers & Rose (Chicago, Dec. 4, 1928), The Soul Stirrers (1948), Odetta (1956), Mississippi John Hurt (1966), Furry Lewis (1969), Mississippi Fred McDowell (1970), Roy Acuff (1970), The Byrds (1971), and Larry Sparks (2005).

It is known as “Glory, Glory,” “When I Lay My Burden Down” and “Since I Laid My Burden Down,” and is recorded in many variations. The difference in the two basic forms is the tense is which one’s burden is laid down.

One “future tense” version follows:

When I Lay My Burden Down

http://toneway.com/songs/when-i-lay-my-burden-down

Glory glory, hallelujah,

When I lay my burdens down
Glory glory, hallelujah,

When I lay my burdens down

All of my troubles will be over, When I lay my burdens down,... (×2)

I'll go home to meet my Savior, When I lay my burdens down,... (×2)

I will see, see my mother, When I lay my burdens down,... (×2)

I like the “future tense” version. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. XVI. 24. Christians bear that “burden,” after conversion, throughout the rest of their life in service to Christ. One day soon, Christ will come to take us home. At that time we will lay our burden at his feet and shout, “Heaven is cheap enough. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.”

I sing it this way:

Glory, Glory Hallelujah,

When I lay my burden down;

Glory Glory Hallelujah,

When I lay my burden down.

I am going to see my father,

When I lay my burden down;

I am going to see my father,

When I lay my burden down.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,…

I am going to see my sister,

When I lay my burden down;

I am going to see my sister,

When I lay my burden down.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,…

No more cryin’, no more dyin’,

When I lay my burden down;

No more cryin’, no more dyin’,

When I lay my burden down.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah…

I am going to meet my Jesus,

When I lay my burden down;

I am going to meet my Jesus,

When I lay my burden down.

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah…

In 1935, A.P. Carter reworked an old (1908) hymn by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel. Habershon’s song was entitled “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” Carter tweaked the title ever so slightly calling it “Can the Circle Be Unbroken?” and wrote entirely new lyrics concerning the death, funeral, and mourning of the narrator’s mother. In

more modern renditions, it has taken on the original name of Habershon’s composition.

For his melody Carter took the tune of  “When I Lay My Burden Down.”

It seems that “Will the Circle…” has been recorded by almost everyone. An ever-so-partial list includes Blind James Campbell, Joan Baez, the Chieftains, John Lee Hooker, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Spacemen 3, Country Joe McDonald, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

In 1972, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band released “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” a three-album (LP) collection of many of the greatest performers in Blue Grass music. The theme of the set was the establishment of a tie between the older musicians (Scruggs, Watson, Acuff) with the newer musicians (Clements, Blake), to name but a few.

Sometimes, since it adheres to the “future tense” format, I like to include Carter’s chorus before the last “Glory, Glory” chorus.

Will the circle be unbroken,

By and by, Lord, by and by;

There’s a better home awaiting,

In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

Doc Watson's singing touches my heart. Here he is with Michael Coleman and his son Merle singing "When I lay my burden down."