Carter
Fred Eaglesmith & The Flying Squirrels Lyrics
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Turkey's in the brain
Desperate boys in windswept fields
Running for the train
Skin soaked revelations
Whiskey before dawn
It won't be the same now that Carter's gone
That high and lonesome sound
Wake up on that hilltop
Carter's in the ground
It makes you kind of hang your head
Cry into the dawn
'Cause it won't be the same now that Carter's gone
White doves in the heart
I heard somebody say
Nobody's ever going to play those songs that way again
And I drive through old Kentucky
Tearing through the gears
Trying not to think of him
Through all my Bluegrass tears
Put that guitar beneath the bus
I can't play another one
They don't sound the same now that Carter's gone
Things will never be the same
Now that Carter's gone
The song "Carter" by Fred Eaglesmith & The Flying Squirrels is a tribute to the influential bluegrass musician Carter Stanley, who passed away in 1966. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the impact that Carter's death had on the music world and on those who loved him. The opening lines refer to the morning after Carter's death, with waffles and turkey serving as symbols of routine and tradition that now seem hollow without the presence of the beloved musician.
The next lines describe the desperate, windswept fields where young boys run to catch the train - this is a reference to the lyrics of Carter's best-known song, "The Wreck of the Old '97", which tells the true story of a train wreck that killed several railroad workers. The image of "skin soaked revelations" is a powerful one, suggesting that Carter's death has brought the truth of mortality and the impermanence of life into sharper focus. The mention of whiskey before dawn emphasizes the weight of grief that those who loved Carter are carrying.
The song's chorus repeats the idea that things will never be the same now that Carter is gone. The verses continue in this vein, with images of driving on the state line, hearing white doves in the heart, and tearing through the gears of a car as a way of trying to outrun the pain of loss. The final lines express the singer's inability to play music the way he used to, as if the death of Carter has permanently altered the music itself.
Overall, "Carter" is a moving tribute to a legendary musician and the impact he had on those around him. The lyrics capture the sense of loss and grief that his passing caused, while also celebrating the enduring legacy of his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Waffle's in the morning
Starting a day without a care, enjoying what life has to offer
Turkey's in the brain
Thinking about something constantly that occupies one's mind more than it should
Desperate boys in windswept fields
Youngsters running towards something despite the difficulties and obstacles they face
Running for the train
Trying to catch up with something fleeting, but not being able to catch up
Skin soaked revelations
Having your secrets uncovered and revealed, making you vulnerable
Whiskey before dawn
Drinking to alleviate pain and forget about one's worries, even at odd hours of the day
It won't be the same now that Carter's gone
The passing of someone changes everything, and it's difficult to move on without them
Driving on the state line
Feeling like you're caught between two worlds, unsure where you belong
That high and lonesome sound
The twang of a guitar and the lyrics of a soulful song that evoke feelings of sadness and loneliness
Wake up on that hilltop
Feeling overwhelmed by life and everything surrounding you
Carter's in the ground
Mourning the loss of someone special who has passed away
It makes you kind of hang your head
Feeling sadness and shame for not being able to prevent the loss of someone who was important
Cry into the dawn
Feeling the emotional effects of a loss and not knowing how to move on
'Cause it won't be the same now that Carter's gone
Understanding that the absence of someone important is life-changing and difficult to cope with
White doves in the heart
Feeling a sense of peace and hope inside even during difficult times
I heard somebody say
Hearing someone else speak about something in a way that resonates with your own emotions
Nobody's ever going to play those songs that way again
Knowing that the legacy of a person and their art may never be replicated, but still trying to hold onto the memories and feelings they evoke
And I drive through old Kentucky
Feeling a sense of nostalgia and longing for something once familiar
Tearing through the gears
Driving recklessly, feeling out of control and unsure
Trying not to think of him
Purposefully avoiding memories to avoid pain and heartache
Through all my Bluegrass tears
Feeling the deeply emotional connection to classic music and how it can evoke memories and emotions
Put that guitar beneath the bus
Giving up on the art that once brought you joy and solace
I can't play another one
Feeling unable to recreate or continue a legacy that was once important
They don't sound the same now that Carter's gone
Knowing that the loss of someone can create a void that can never be filled, making everything seem different or lesser in comparison
Things will never be the same
Acknowledging that life is about change, and that the loss of someone important can alter one's course, making the world seem different and unfamiliar
Now that Carter's gone
Reflecting on the life and legacy of a person, and feeling the loss of someone who was once an integral part of it
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind