Martin Carthy (born May 21, 1941) is an English folk singer and guitarist w… Read Full Bio ↴Martin Carthy (born May 21, 1941) is an English folk singer and guitarist who has remained one of the most influential figures in British traditional music, inspiring contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon and later artists such as Richard Thompson since he emerged as a young musician in the early days of the folk revival.

He was born in Hatfield and grew up in Hampstead, London. After training as an actor he sang in coffee bars. He became a resident at the Troubador folk club in Earls Court in the late 1950s. He joined Redd Sullivan's Thameside Four in 1961. He is a renowned solo performer of traditional songs in a very distinctive style, accompanying himself on his trusty old Martin Guitar; his style is marked by the use of alternate tunings, and a strongly percussive picking style that emphasizes the melody. His debut album, Martin Carthy, was released in 1965, and also featured Dave Swarbrick playing fiddle on some tracks, although he was not mentioned in the album's sleeve notes.

He has also been involved with many musical collaborations. He has sung with The Watersons since 1972, was an early member of the UK folk rock group Steeleye Span, and was part of the innovative Brass Monkey ensemble, which mixed a range of brass instruments with Carthy's guitar and mandolin and John Kirkpatrick's accordion, melodeon and concertina.

For many years Carthy has enjoyed a creative partnership with fiddle player Dave Swarbrick. More recently, Waterson:Carthy has provided the forum for a successful partnership with partner Norma Waterson together with their daughter Eliza Carthy.

In June 1998 he was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He was named Folk Singer of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2002, and again in 2005 when he also won the award for Best Traditional Track for 'Famous Flower of Serving Men'.

New York Mine Disaster 1941
Martin Carthy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the event of something happening to me,
There is something I would like you all to see.
It's just a photograph of someone that I knew.

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.

I keep straining my ears to hear a sound.
Maybe someone is digging underground,
Or have they given up and all gone home to bed,
Thinking those who once existed must be dead.

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.

In the event of something happening to me,
There is something I would like you all to see.
It's just a photograph of someone that I knew.

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?

Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Martin Carthy's song 'New York Mine Disaster 1941' tell the story of a man who is trapped underground in a mine and fears he may not make it out alive. He wants to make sure that the world knows who he is and who he loved, and asks if anyone has seen his wife. The repetition of the question "have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?" highlights the anxiety and desperation of the man's situation. He also listens intently for any sign of rescue or hope, describing how he is "straining my ears to hear a sound" and wondering if "someone is digging underground."

The chorus warns Mr. Jones not to "go talking too loud" for fear of causing a landslide, suggesting that the mine has already been destabilized by the disaster. The final verse repeats the initial stanza, emphasizing the man's desire to be remembered and recognized before his potential demise. Overall, the song is a poignant and haunting reflection on mortality, love, and memory.

Line by Line Meaning

In the event of something happening to me,
If something happens to me,

There is something I would like you all to see.
I have something to show you.

It's just a photograph of someone that I knew.
It's a photo of someone I knew.

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know where my wife is, Mr. Jones?

Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Do you know what it's like out here?

Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.
Please don't talk too loud, you might cause trouble.

I keep straining my ears to hear a sound.
I'm listening closely for any noise.

Maybe someone is digging underground,
Perhaps someone is digging beneath the ground,

Or have they given up and all gone home to bed,
Or maybe they've given up and gone to bed,

Thinking those who once existed must be dead.
Assuming that those who used to be here are dead.

In the event of something happening to me,
If something happens to me,

There is something I would like you all to see.
I have something to show you.

It's just a photograph of someone that I knew.
It's a photo of someone I knew.

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know where my wife is, Mr. Jones?

Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Do you know what it's like out here?

Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.
Please don't talk too loud, you might cause trouble.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS