Albert Brumley wrote "If We Never Meet Again" during WWII when young men he knew would go off to fight and never return. During those years it became a comfort for families who lost loved ones in the war.
The melody reminds me a bit of "The Prisoner's Song" / "Blue Eyes" / "Wild Side Of Life" song cluster, which I posted some time ago: http://jopiepopie.blogspot.nl/2013/12/prisoners-song-1925-blue-eyes-1927.html
"The Prisoner's Song" was also the inspiration for Albert Brumley to write one of his greatest successes: "I'll Fly Away". http://www.bobdylanroots.com/illfly.html
"If We Never Meet Again" was written in 1945 and published by Stamps Quartet Music Co. and enclosed in the "Divine Praise" songbook (1945).
Frank Stamps set up the Stamps Quartet Music Company as a rival to his brother V. O. Stamps' very successful Stamps-Baxter Music Company.
The "Divine Praise" from 1945 was the first collection from Frank's new company. It came only as a shaped note version, to be used in that largely Southern music tradition.
Possibly the first recording from late 1945 or early 1946
SEE: GJ Search Results
(o) Blackwood Brothers Quartet (1945/1946) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
The Blackwood Brothers re-recorded the song early 1947
Released on White Church 1059 and Christian Education Service 1059
Listen here:
(c) Brown's Ferry Four (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Grandpa Jones [vcl/gt], Red Foley [vcl/bass], Alton Delmore [vcl/gt], Rabon Delmore [vcl/gt])
Recorded October 1946 in Hollywood, CA
Released on King 577
Listen here:
(c) Stamps Quartet (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Released on an album of three 78's: "Bibletone presents The Stamps Quartet"
"If We Never Meet Again" is on the A-side of the first 78: Bibletone SW 3001-A
(c) All American Quartet (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Earl Terry, Bob Crews, C.R. Melton, Gordon Hill, Alice Melton
Released on Sacred Records SS-503
Also released on Sacred Records J-146 and on White Church SS-503).
(c) Gene Lowery and his Dixie Four (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Melvin Doss, Gene Lowery, Loyal Green, Olen Dunn, Herschel Collins
Released on Tru Tone Records DF-1
This was part of a three 78 RPM records album on Tru Tone album # DF 100
(c) Deacon Utley and the Smile-a-While Quartet (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Released on White Church 1067
(c) The Friendly Five Quartet (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven")
Released on White Church 1068
(c) Herschel Foshee and His Stamps-Baxter Quartet (1947) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Released on White Church 1070
(c) Charlie Monroe & His Kentucky Pardners (1948) (as "If We'd Ever Meet Again")
Charlie Monroe [vcl/gt], Rex Henderson [gt], Orne Osborne [gt/mandolin], Red Rector [mandolin], Charles Grean [bass].
Recorded November 7, 1947 in RCA Victor Studio, New York City
Released on Victor 20-2961.
The same recording was re-released in 1950 with the correct title "If We Never Meet Again"
Listen here:
(c) Chuck Wagon Gang (1949) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Rosa Lola Lee "Rose" Carter Karnes (soprano vcl),Effie Juanita "Anna" Carter Gordon (alto vcl),David P. "Dad" Carter (tenor vcl),Ernest "Jim" Carter (bass vcl/gt).
Recorded 16 December 1948 poss. Merchandise Mart, Dallas, TX
Released on the Columbia 20537
Listen here:
(c) Maddox Brothers and Rose (1951) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Rose Maddox [vcl], Maddox Trio [vcl], Gene Breeden or Roy Ernest Nichols [ld gt], John Calvin “Cal” Maddox [rh gt], Henry Ford Maddox [mandolin], Fred Roscoe Maddox [bass], Kenneth Chalmer “Don” Maddox [fiddle],
Recorded ca. October 1950 Radio Recorders in Hollywood, CA
Released on 4-Star #1553 and on 4-Star #2S-6
PS This might be another song, because composer-credits read: "Stevenson" (and Publisher: "4 Star Sales BMI". But I didn't find a sound clip, so I couldn't compare.
(c) The Statesmen with Hovie Lister (1959) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Recorded March 1959 RCA Victor Studio, Nashville, TN
Released on the album "I'll Meet You By The River" (RCA LPM-2065)
(an album with 12 compositions by Albert E. Brumley)
Listen here:
(c) Elvis Presley (1960) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Recorded October 30, 1960 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
Released on the album His Hand In Mine (RCA Victor LSP-2328)
Listen here:
(c) Thory Bernhards (1961) (as "Om Vi Aldrig Möts Igen")
Swedish lyrics by Leopold (= Stig Anderson)
Listen here: Thory Bernhards - Om vi aldrig mots igen.mp3
(c) Lolita (1962) (as "Ein Lied Klingt Durch Das Tal")
German lyrics Fini Busch
Listen here:
(c) Eddie Bond (1962) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Eddie Bond , John Hughey [steel], Toomstone Hawkins [bass], Morris Tarant [drums], Gilber Mickle [fiddle/mandoline], Jimmy Smith [piano], vocal chorus.
Recorded January 29, 1962 Echo Studio, Manassa Ave., Memphis, TN
Released on the album Eddie Bond - Sings Greatest Country Gospel Hits (Phillips International PILP 1980-A-5)
Listen here:
(c) Stanley Brothers (1962) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Carter Stanley [vcl/gt], Ralph Stanley [vcl/banjo], George Shuffler [vcl/gt], Henry Dockery [bass], Ralph Mayo [fiddle])
Recorded May 4, 1962 King Recording Studio, Cincinnati, OH -
Released on the album Good Old Camp Meeting Songs (King Label #805)
Listen here:
(c) Johnny Cash (1962) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Johnny Cash [vcl/gt], Luther Perkins [el gt], Ray Edenton [gt], Marshall Grant [bass], W.S. Holland [drums], Floyd Cramer [piano], Bill Pursell [organ], Marvin Hughes [vibes] + vocal chorus.
Recorded April 27, 1961 at the Bradley Film and Recording Studio, Nashville, TN –
Released on the album "Hymns From The Heart"
Listen here:
Johnny Cash re-recorded the song around 1993-1994, only to be released two months after his death in 2003.
Listen here:
(c) Jerry Lee Lewis (1970) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Jerry Lee Lewis, Harold Bradley, Ray Edenton, Buck Hutcheson, Jerry Kennedy, Chip Young, Ned Davis, Bob Moore, Buddy Harman, Kenneth Lovelace + Jordanaires.
Recorded October 5 1970 Monument Recording Studio, Nashvile 3, TN
Released on the album "In Loving Memories"
Listen here:
(c) Dolly Parton (1969) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Sung live in the Porter Wagoner Show.
(c) Merle Haggard (1971) (as "If We Never Meet Again")
Merle Haggard + Carter Family.
Recorded November 22, 1970 Live at Big Creek Baptist Church, Millingham. TN
Listen here:
(c) Leon Redbone (1977) (as "If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven")
The Dixie Hummingbirds (Ira Tucker sr., James Walker, James Davis, Beachy Thompson) - backing vocals. Beachy Thompson - background whistling
Released on the album "Double Time".
Listen here:
(c) Tammy Wynette (1977) (as "If We Never LOVE Again")
Adapted lyrics written by Paul Richey, Silvia Richey and Theresa Beaty
Recorded ca. December 1976 Columbia Recording Studio, Nashville, TN – Producer: Billy Sherrill
Listen here:
In 1993 the song was subject of a lawsuit, regarding copyright infringement by Wayne Kemp and his song "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (1974)
Well judge for yourself:
More versions of "If We Never Meet Again" here: GJ Search Results
NOT TO BE CONFUSED with "If We Never Meet Again" written by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach in 1936.
Is it possible to get a MP3 from the version by Charlie Monroe?
BeantwoordenVerwijderenSure, you can. If the soundfile is playing in the Box-player, you can download it by clicking on the downward arrow on the upper right of the player.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenJoop greets
I did but it doesn't work; even I registered myself and tried again without succes.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenToday I'll ry again.