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

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.