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