This classic clip of The Waltons singing, ‘I’ll Fly Away’ will take you back to a simpler time.

“I’ll Fly Away” is one of the most performed songs in the world, counting not only the multitude of recordings of it, but also the innumerable public and private performances made in formal concerts and jam sessions. But we all know who did the perfect rendition of the song. Why, none other than the Waltons.

The classic clip of The Waltons singing, I’ll Fly Away first debuted in season five of the show. It first aired February 17, 1977. The backstory before this amazing clip is Mary Ellen, Curt, Erin, Jim-Bob and Elizabeth wait at the bus station for the arrival of Venessa, Curt’s little sister. She has left her husband Taylor behind in the little grey town they lived in. Jason drops off some garden veggies at Mary Ellen’s and meets Vanessa. She was playing her guitar when she told him that she has ambitions of becoming a singer. She is impressed when she learns that he plays music at the Dew Drop Inn.

The clip opens with Jason Walton and Venessa Linda Purl sitting on tire swings. They’re learning the beat, the rhythm, and how to pair their voices together. The two minute long clip follows their progression of barely knowing the tune to singing it with perfection.

With almost 400,000 views and growing, it’s no wonder this special clip is going viral. The Waltons take us all back to a simpler time when this show up-lifted our spirits, gave us a good chuckle, and helped us navigate some of life’s toughest lessons.

When the clip was first aired on Youtube, several people commented how they missed TV shows like this. One woman said, “...when is this type of programming going to return to my TV set? These times made us what we are.”

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Psalms 55:6