"The Mother's Good-bye" first appeared in a 1903 hymnal, Bells of Heaven" with words by "Anonymous," music by J. H. Tenney, copyrighted 1898 by Jno. C. F. Kyger. In 1904 it appeared in Glorious Praise with words by Fanny Crosby, music by W. H. Doane, copyright 1878; then, in 1911, in Redemption's Way in Song, copyright 1906, by James D. Vaughan, and has appeared similarly since then with Vaughan listed as copyright holder.
It is thought to have been first recorded under the title "Hold Fast to the Right" in 1928 by Lester McFarland and Robert Gardner ("Bob and Mac"), but was popularized by The Carter Family's 1937 recording. The Carter Family adapted Vaughan's melody, changed slightly, and recorded only the first four stanzas. Their version has been used with slight variations ever since by artists such as the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Johnny Cash & June Carter, and Dolly Parton.
Music for both the original "Mother's Good-bye" and the more well-known "Hold Fast to the Right" are included here.