Gene Austin & George Reneau - You'll Never Miss Your Mother Till She's Gone (1925)

Gene Austin & George Reneau (The Blue Ridge Duo) sing "You'll Never Miss Your Mother Till She's Gone"

Edison Blue Amberol cylinder 4961

1925.

George McKinney Reneau was born on May 18, 1902, in Jefferson County, Tennessee, at Dandridge. He was probably blind at birth. He died in 1933.

A young Reneau left Jefferson County around 1920 to make a living on downtown Knoxville streets playing guitar (and harmonica) and singing. He recorded "Lonesome Road Blues" (Vocalion 14809B) on April 18, 1924. But another artist, Gene Austin, was singing on most of Reneau's early records.

Reneau and Austin, as The Blue Ridge Duo, made several Edison recordings in 1924 and 1925.

Years ago when but a boy singing
songs was mother's joy when our
father dear would leave us all
alone. I can hear her voice so
sweet as she sang, "When shall we
meet?" You'll never miss your
mother until she's gone.

My mother she was true to her
children and her home. She was
kind and true and loved us all.
Was her hand that touched my
brow. I can almost feel it now.
You'll never miss your mother
until she's gone.

Father he was good and kind,
told us we would never find one
who would cheer our ills and
all. I praise God for her sweet
name, for she's always just the
same. You'll never miss your
mother until she's gone.

My mother she was true to her
children and her home. She was
kind and true and loved us all.
Was her hand that touched my
brow. I can almost feel it now.
You'll never miss your mother
until she's gone.

Gene Austin & George Reneau "You'll Never Miss Your Mother Till She's Gone" Blue Ridge Duo.