[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17190]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO ALBERT E. BRUMLEY AND THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF ``I'LL FLY 
                                 AWAY''

  (Mr. WOMACK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks before we bid farewell to 
2012, I rise today to acknowledge a noteworthy anniversary celebrated 
just a few weeks ago--the 80th anniversary of the Hartford Music 
Company's famous song, ``I'll Fly Away.''
  This staple of gospel music was written by the legendary Albert E. 
Brumley and has been recorded more than 5,000 times by celebrated 
performers from Aretha Franklin and Kanye West to the Boston Pops and 
the Blind Boys of Alabama. The song is published in most major church 
hymnals, and its distinctive melody frequents funerals, gospel 
concerts, and community singings around America.
  So, Mr. Speaker, on this milestone anniversary of the publication of 
this national treasure in song, let us reflect on the chorus, just as 
Brumley wrote a few decades ago:

     I'll fly away old glory,
     I'll fly away.
     When I die,
     Hallelujah by and by,
     I'll fly away.

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