We Shall All Be Reunited

Album: Downtown Church (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This cover of an obscure country hymn from Carter Family contemporary Alfred Karnes features the additional vocals of Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin.

    The hymn was written by Newton S. Sitzlar and first released by Karnes in 1929.
  • The song comes from an album of several gospel songs in which Griffin invokes various religious themes. It is a song about being reunited with loved ones after they have passed away. Much like her 2013 song "Go Wherever You Wanna Go," this one paints a pretty picture of the afterlife as something that people can look forward to, rather than having to dread.

Comments: 1

  • Jerry Gibson from OregonThe writer of the song was my Grandfather Newton S. Sitzlar. Alfred Karnes was the first to record it. Whether Alfred claimed to have written it, I don't know. (I have read online statements that have said that, but I have no evidence or read anything he said that he wrote it. Maybe because he recorded it, someone thought he wrote it, and they, [not Alfred], said he wrote it). Anyway I just wanted to clear up who the real writer of the song was.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.