“Will You Miss Me when I’m Gone?” by The Carter Family

1927 was the year country music first reared its honest, whisky-worn head from the mountains of Appalachia. Radio was already in the process of transforming the way Americans connected to the rest of their country; suddenly lyrical, empathetic voices that had sung of life and death in small-town America could speak to the remotest parts of the country. And of the many musical acts entering the scene, one trio resonated above the rest: The Carter Family. The group sang of being brokenhearted in Tennessee. They sang of “Coal Miner Blues” and (most famously) of wildwood flowers. And they consistently churned out songs we find perfect for a moving memorial service, such as “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?”

“When death shall close these eye lids/And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay me down to rest/In some flowery bound retreat

Will you miss me?/
(Miss me when I’m gone)”

By wondering if loved ones will “plant a flower,” and “come and sit beside [them],” the singers are honest in their grief and worry of what happens after death. Sometimes, when we lose a loved one, we need nothing more than to grieve and question openly. And although the trio of voices (Maybelle Carter alongside her sister, Sara, and brother-in -law, Alvin Pleasant “A.P.” Carter) feels weathered and somber, the three also present themselves as a force united amongst moments of tender imagery. The harmonies also play their role in holding the song – and the family – together through a tough subject. “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone?” is truly a family conversation about death made lyrical. For this reason, we think it would be an unforgettable memorial song.

“Perhaps you’ll plant a flower/
On my poor unworthy grave/
Come and sit along beside me/
When the roses nod and wave/

[Refrain]

One sweet thought my soul shall cherish/
When this fleeting life has flown/
This sweet thought will cheer when dying/
Will you miss me when I’m gone?”

Listen to The (original) Carter Family’s version here.

Listen to June Carter’s take on the song with Johnny Cash below: