I remember when I was a lad times were hard and things were bad But there's a silver lining behind every cloud Just poor people that's all we were tryin' to make a living out of black land dirt We'd get together in a family circle singing loud (Daddy sang bass mama sang tenor) Me and little brother would join right in there Singing seems to help a troubled soul One of these days and it won't be long I'll rejoin them in a song I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne No the circle won't be broken by and by Lord by and by (Daddy sang bass mama sang tenor) Me and little brother would join right in there In the sky Lord in the sky [ guitar ] Now I remember after work mama would call in all of us You could hear us singing for a country mile My little brother has done gone on but I'll rejoin him in a song We'll be together again up yonder in a while (Daddy sang bass mama sang tenor)... In the sky Lord in the sky