Is a song written by Lawton Williams. Lawton also had the original recording in 1960. Little Jimmy Dickens recorded the song in 1961. It was also recorded by American country music artist Johnny Bush as well as Gene Watson. Watson’s cover was released in February 1979 as the second single from the album Reflections. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart
Versions
Lawton Williams 1960 First release
“Little” Jimmy Dickens May 1961
Johnny Bush February 1968
Waylon Jennings March 1969
Gene Watson August 1978
Alan Jackson October 26, 1999
Joe Nichols June 29, 2004
Pat James April 18, 2005
Gene Watson – Farewell Party Lyrics
When the last, breath of life
Is gone from, my body
And my lips, are as cold as the sea
When my friends gather ’round
For my farewell party
Won’t you, pretend you love me
There will be flowers from those
Who cry, when I’m gone
And leave you in this, world alone
I know you’ll have fun
At my farewell party
I know, you’ll be glad, when I’m gone
Don’t be mad at me, for wanting to keep you
Till my life on this old world is through
You’ll be free at the end of my farewell party
But I’ll go away loving you
There will be flowers from those
Who cry, when I’m gone
And leave you in this, world alone
I know you’ll have fun
At my farewell party
I know, you’ll be glad, when I’m gone
Oh, I know you’ll be glad when I’m gone
