Carter was born Lillie Mae Jones on 16th May 1929 in Flint, Michigan and grew up in Detroit, where her father led a church choir. She studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory. She won a talent contest and became a regular on the local club circuit, singing and playing piano. When she was sixteen, she sang with Charlie Parker. She later performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis and toured with Lionel Hampton (from whom she received the nickname "Betty Bebop"), when she perfected her scat singing of bebop.
Her career was eclipsed somewhat during the 1960s and 1970s, though a series of duets with Ray Charles in 1961, including the R&B-chart-topping "Baby, It's Cold Outside", brought her a measure of popular recognition. She recorded for various labels during this period, including Peacock, ABC-Paramount, and Atco, but was rarely satisfied with the resulting product. An episode in which a record company A&R man tried to abscond with a set of her master recordings led her to establish her own record label, Bet-Car, in 1970. Some of her most outstanding recordings were first issued on Bet-Car, including the double album The Audience with Betty Carter (1980). She was well-received at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977 and 1978. In 1987 Carter signed with Verve Records. She won a Grammy in 1988 for her album Look What I Got! and sang in a guest appearance on The Cosby Show in that year.
She died on 26th September 1998.
By the Bend of the River
Betty Carter Lyrics
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Have you ever seen such a sky?
Have you ever felt so peaceful inside?
Neither have I
Have you noticed that old river?
So quietly sliding by
Have you ever seen the grass so green?
Can't think of a place I'd rather be
Than the one on which I stand
I'm happy with my people
Happy with my home, happy with my land
Don't know how to explain it
Don't even think I'll try
But I could spend till my days end
Here with the river going by
Come on down and join us
Tell your cares and worries goodbye
'Cause hearts can mend
With family and friend
On this bend, with the river goin' by
Don't know how to explain it
Don't even think I'll try
But I'm content to spend, till my days end
Here on the bend, with the river going by
The lyrics of Betty Carter's "By The Bend Of The River" paint a serene picture of a peaceful evening spent by a river. The opening lines "Have you ever seen such an evening? Have you ever seen such a sky?" suggest that the scene is so beautiful and mesmerizing that it is hard to find words to describe it. The next two lines "Have you ever felt so peaceful inside? Neither have I" further affirm the calming and soothing effect of the environment on the singer.
The following lines draw attention to the river and its surroundings, "Have you noticed that old river? So quietly sliding by. Have you ever seen the grass so green? Neither have I." The singer is fully present in the moment, and the beauty around them is making them appreciate and cherish every little thing.
The chorus "Don't know how to explain it, Don't even think I'll try, But I could spend till my days end, Here with the river going by" highlights the inexplicable beauty and tranquility of the scene. Despite not being able to express the depth of emotions in words, the singer wants to stay in the moment for as long as possible. The song further invites the listener to join in the moment and leave their worries behind in the company of loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever seen such an evening?
Have you witnessed a sunset as beautiful as this one?
Have you ever seen such a sky?
Have you gazed at a sky as awe-inspiring as this one?
Have you ever felt so peaceful inside?
Have you ever been as content and at peace with yourself as I am now?
Neither have I
I haven't, but it's wonderful to experience it now.
Have you noticed that old river?
Have you seen that river that has been flowing for ages?
So quietly sliding by
Flowing so silently as if it doesn't want to disturb the peace around.
Have you ever seen the grass so green?
Have you seen the grass so lush and verdant as it is here?
Neither have I
Me neither, but it adds to the beauty of this place.
Can't think of a place I'd rather be
I can't think of anywhere else that would make me happier than where I am.
Than the one on which I stand
Right here where I am standing, surrounded by the people and things I love.
I'm happy with my people
I am content with the people who are important to me and who make my life wonderful.
Happy with my home, happy with my land
I cherish my home and the land it's on and couldn't be more satisfied.
Don't know how to explain it
I cannot express in words how much happiness I feel being here.
Don't even think I'll try
It's impossible for me to do it justice with words, so I won't even try.
But I could spend till my days end
I could happily spend the rest of my life here and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Here with the river going by
Contentedly surrounded by the beauty of the river flowing by.
Come on down and join us
Come join us in this tranquil, happy place.
Tell your cares and worries goodbye
Leave all your worries and troubles behind and find peace here with us.
'Cause hearts can mend
Being here with people you love can mend your broken heart.
With family and friend
Surrounded by the warmth and love of one's dear ones.
On this bend, with the river goin' by
Right here on this spot, with the river flowing silently by.
But I'm content to spend, till my days end
I am completely satisfied to pass the rest of my life here with people and things I love.
Here on the bend, with the river going by
Peacefully living my life here, surrounded by the serenity of the flowing river.
Contributed by Jackson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
delbie64
Beautiful voice