The Storms Are On The Ocean
A. P. Carter Lyrics
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I'm going away for a while
But I'll return to see you sometime
If I go ten thousand miles
The storms are on the ocean
The heavens may cease to be
This world may lose its motion love
Oh who will dress your pretty little feet
And who will glove your hand
Oh who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
When I'm in a foreign land
Papa will dress my pretty little feet
And Mama will glove my hand
You may kiss my rosy red cheeks
When you return again
Have you seen those mournful doves
Flying from pine to pine
A-mournin' for their own true love
Just like I mourn for mine
I'll never go back on the ocean love
I'll never go back on the sea
I'll never go back on my blue-eyed girl
'Til she goes back to me
The Storms Are On The Ocean by A. P. Carter is a poignant folk song about love, separation, and loss. The lyrics depict a man who is leaving his loved one behind to embark on a long journey. He assures her that he will return someday, even if he has to travel ten thousand miles to see her. However, there is a sense of uncertainty and foreboding in the air, as the storms are on the ocean and the heavens may cease to be. The man is aware that he may lose his way or forget his promise, but he implores his lover to trust him and wait for his return.
The song is a heartbreaking portrayal of the emotional struggles of long-distance relationships. The man and his sweetheart share a tender moment as they discuss who will take care of her in his absence. He asks who will dress her pretty little feet, glove her hand, and kiss her rosy red cheeks when he is in a foreign land. She reassures him that her parents will take care of her and that she will wait for him to return.
The song's powerful imagery and haunting melody have made it a classic in American folk music. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris. The Storms Are On The Ocean remains a timeless example of the beauty and melancholy of traditional folk music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going away to leave you love
I'm leaving you, my love.
I'm going away for a while
I'll be gone for some time.
But I'll return to see you sometime
I'll come back to see you at some point.
If I go ten thousand miles
Even if I have to travel a great distance.
The storms are on the ocean
The troubles of life are ahead.
The heavens may cease to be
Even the sky may fall.
This world may lose its motion love
The world may come to a stop.
If I prove false to thee
If I am unfaithful to you.
Oh who will dress your pretty little feet
Who will take care of your feet?
And who will glove your hand
Who will take care of your hands?
Oh who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
Who will show you love?
When I'm in a foreign land
When I'm far away.
Papa will dress my pretty little feet
My father will take care of me.
And Mama will glove my hand
My mother will take care of me.
You may kiss my rosy red cheeks
You may show me love.
When you return again
When you come back.
Have you seen those mournful doves
Have you seen the sorrowful birds?
Flying from pine to pine
Hopping from tree to tree.
A-mournin' for their own true love
Mourning for their own lost love.
Just like I mourn for mine
Just like I'm mourning for you.
I'll never go back on the ocean love
I'll never be unfaithful to you.
I'll never go back on the sea
I'll never go back to my old ways.
I'll never go back on my blue-eyed girl
I'll never leave you again.
'Til she goes back to me
Until we're reunited.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARK SPOELSTRA, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robinjohnson1485
My Grandma loved this music. Of course she was from West Virginia. RIP everyone.
@cheesydizzle2865
The Carter Family is from Virginia
@birkinsornberger263
@@cheesydizzle2865 That was their point in adding that to their comment.
@javiermonteagudosoriano7329
Y las voces de las Carter son las mejores que ha dado todo este amplísimo género musical
@Pickinbuddy
I've loved the Carter Family from the first moment I heard them in the mid 60s...
@javiermonteagudosoriano7329
Clásico tema excelente picking de Maybelline y voz de Sara Carter
@hazensweeney5633
Listen to Maybelle's great guitar !
@direfranchement
Interesting re-recording! Their first recording of this song from 1927 featured Sarah leading in an unnaturally high pitch. Sounds much better with her normal voice here.
@FuzzyDancingBear
I like the weirdness of that ultra high pitch
@SirCoughsalot
I disagree with Tea and Muffins that the pitch on the original recording was "unnaturally" high, but like most of the Carters' early recordings, Sara did sing at the top of her vocal range. I think both vocals are pretty good - this one is definitely mellower but lacks a little of the "oomph" of the early one. I like the trio vocal arrangement on this one better than the duet on the original, and Maybelle's guitar is a lot more audible.