When you hear those first few notes of a mandolin ringing out, something shifts in the room. It’s that high, lonesome sound. For anyone who’s spent time around a bluegrass festival or a Sunday morning church service, there is one song that inevitably anchors everything. We’re talking about a hymn that basically acts as the national anthem of American roots music. Will the Circle Be Unbroken Ricky Skaggs is a search term that pops up constantly because people are looking for more than just a song—they’re looking for that specific moment where Ricky took a centuries-old piece of music and made it feel brand new.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how many times this song has been recorded. It was written way back in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon, then revamped by the legendary A.P. Carter in 1935. But for many of us, the definitive "modern" version involves a certain mandolin-playing virtuoso with a white mane of hair and a voice that reaches the rafters.
That 1989 Magic: Volume Two
If you want to understand why will the circle be unbroken ricky skaggs is such a massive deal, you have to look at the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s landmark 1989 project, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two. The first volume in 1972 was a hippie-meets-legend experiment. Volume Two? That was a family reunion.
Ricky Skaggs didn't just show up to play a few licks. He brought a bright, faithful energy to the third verse of the title track. Imagine being in Scruggs Sound Studio in Nashville. You've got Johnny Cash over there. You've got Emmylou Harris. Levon Helm is hanging out. And then there's Ricky. He’s basically the bridge. He was young enough to be part of the "new" crowd but had enough dirt on his boots to be respected by the old guard like Roy Acuff.
The arrangement on that 1989 version is grander than the 1972 original. It’s got a full choir. It feels like a celebration rather than a funeral dirge. Skaggs’ vocal is crisp. It’s got that Kentucky bluegrass bite that cuts through the mix. People still search for this specific recording because it captures a moment in time when country music was trying to find its soul again after the neon-soaked 80s.
A Spontaneous Moment with Jimmy Martin
There’s a legendary story from the making of Volume Two that most fans love. Bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin—who was known for being a bit of a wild card—showed up at the studio after having a few drinks. He was wearing a coonskin cap. Ricky Skaggs was already there working. Instead of things getting weird, they just ripped into a spontaneous version of "The Old Crossroads."
That’s the spirit of the Circle projects. It wasn't about perfect takes or corporate polish. It was about the "practice" as John Denver famously said on the same album. When Skaggs sings on the title track, you’re hearing that same raw, unforced joy.
The Hall of Fame Performance: Bill Monroe’s Ghost
Fast forward to 2018. This is probably the most-watched clip when people look up will the circle be unbroken ricky skaggs. Ricky was being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a heavy night.
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Someone brought out Bill Monroe’s mandolin.
Not a replica. The actual 1923 Gibson F-5 that the Father of Bluegrass played until his death. The mandolin had been sitting in a glass case at the museum. They literally took it out and put it in Ricky’s hands. You could see the weight of it on his face.
He led an all-star band—including Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, and Chris Stapleton—in a performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Watching him do a double mandolin solo on that specific instrument was like watching someone talk to a ghost. He even joked with the mandolin at the end, saying, "I'm so sorry; I know it's lonely in there. No, I'm not gonna drop you."
That performance is why this song matters. It isn't just a track on a CD. It’s a literal passing of the torch. When Skaggs plays it, he isn't just playing a song; he’s acknowledging everyone who played it before him.
Why This Song Keeps Coming Back
Let’s be real: why do we keep singing about a hearse coming to carry a mother away? It sounds depressing on paper.
But the song isn't about the hearse. It’s about the "better home a-waiting."
"I was standing by my window, on one cold and cloudy day, when I saw that hearse come rolling, for to carry my mother away."
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The lyrics are simple. A.P. Carter made sure of that. But the power is in the harmony. When Ricky Skaggs joins in on a chorus, he usually hits that high tenor that makes the hair on your arms stand up. It’s a communal experience. You can't really sing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" alone. I mean, you can, but it feels wrong. You need at least three people—one for the lead, one for the baritone, and one for that Skaggs-style high tenor.
The Technical Side of the Skaggs Sound
Musicians often search for will the circle be unbroken ricky skaggs to figure out his specific mandolin licks. If you’re trying to play like him, you’re looking at:
- Heavy use of double stops.
- That classic "chugging" rhythm that drives the song forward.
- Tremolo picking that sounds like a bird singing.
- A mix of traditional Monroe-style blues notes and modern melodic clarity.
He doesn't overplay. That's the secret. On the Volume Two recording, his fills are tasteful. He lets the song breathe. He knows that the lyrics are the star, and the mandolin is just there to provide the heartbeat.
The Triple Threat: Volume Three and Beyond
Most people forget there was a Volume III released in 2002. Ricky was back for that one too. He teamed up with Rodney Dillard for a version of "There Is A Time," but the spirit of the "Circle" song still hung over the whole project.
By this point, Ricky had basically moved away from his "country star" persona of the 80s and was fully back in the bluegrass world with his band, Kentucky Thunder. This transition made his connection to "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" even stronger. He became the elder statesman.
Now, when you see a "Circle" performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Ricky is usually the one leading it. In February 2023, the Opry unveiled a new stage. Who did they get to open the show? Ricky Skaggs and a cast of Opry members singing—you guessed it—"Will the Circle Be Unbroken."
It’s the song they use to fix the floor. It’s the song they use to welcome new members. It’s the song they use to say goodbye.
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What You Should Do Next
If you’re down this rabbit hole because you love the music, don't just stop at the YouTube clips. The history of this song is a gateway into the entire genre.
1. Listen to the 1989 Volume Two version first. Pay close attention to the transition between the second and third verses. That’s where Ricky takes over, and the energy shift is palpable.
2. Watch the 2018 Hall of Fame induction. It’s about 19 minutes long if you watch the whole segment, but the performance at the end is the part that will stick with you. Look at the way the other artists look at him. There’s a lot of respect in that room.
3. Compare the versions. Go back and listen to the 1935 Carter Family recording. Then listen to the 1972 Nitty Gritty version. Finally, hit the Skaggs-heavy versions from the 90s and 2000s. You’ll hear how the song evolved from a somber folk tune into a powerhouse anthem.
The circle isn't just a metaphor for family or heaven. In the world of Ricky Skaggs, the circle is the music itself. It’s handed down, polished up, and sent back out into the world. As long as someone is picking a mandolin and singing about that cold and cloudy day, the tradition is safe.
Next Steps for the Bluegrass Fan:
- Track down the "Making of Will the Circle Be Unbroken II" documentary. It’s a bit hard to find but worth the hunt for the studio chatter alone.
- Check out Ricky Skaggs’ album Bluegrass Rules! if you want to hear more of that high-octane traditional sound he brought to the Circle projects.
- Learn the chorus on an instrument. Even if you aren't a pro, the G-C-G progression is the foundation of everything we love about this music.