The Carter Family was a country music group that performed and recorded bet… Read Full Bio ↴The Carter Family was a country music group that performed and recorded between 1927 and 1943. Their music had a profound impact on later bluegrass, country, pop and rock musicians, as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s.

The original group consisted of Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter (A.P.; 1891-1960), his wife, Sara Dougherty Carter (autoharp and guitar; 1898-1979), and Maybelle Addington Carter (guitar; 1909-1978). Maybelle Carter (later popularly known as Mother Maybelle Carter) was married to A.P.'s brother Ezra (Eck) Carter. All three were born and raised in southwestern Virginia where they were immersed in the tight harmonies of mountain gospel music and shape note singing. Maybelle Carter's distinctive and innovative guitar playing style quickly became a hallmark of the group.

The Carters got their start on July 31, 1927 when A.P. convinced Sara and Maybelle (pregnant at the time) to make the journey from Maces Springs, Virginia to Bristol, Tennessee to audition for record producer Ralph Peer who was seeking new talent for the relatively embryonic recording industry. They received $50 for each song they recorded.

In the Fall of 1927 the Victor recording company released a double-sided 78 rpm record of the group performing "Wandering Boy" and "Poor Orphan Child". In 1928 another record was released with "The Storms Are on the Ocean" and "Single Girl, Married Girl". This one proved very popular.

They stopped touring and recording in 1943.

In 1987, the three daughters of Maybelle Carter - June Carter (also known as June Carter Cash, following marriage to Johnny Cash), Helen Carter and Anita Carter, along with June Carter's daughter Carlene Carter, appeared as the Carter Family and were featured on a 1987 television episode of Austin City Limits along with Johnny Cash.

The Carters were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970 and were given the nickname "The First Family of Country Music". In 1988, the Carter Family was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and received its Award for the song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp honoring A.P., Sara, and Maybelle. In 2001, the group was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. In 2005, the group received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Carter Family III carries on the tradition. The group consists of A.P. Carter and Sarah Carter’s grandson Dale Jett, Maybelle Carter’s grandson John Carter Cash and his wife Laura Cash.

For more details, see the Carter Family biography at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carterfamily/peopleevents/p_carters.html

A Song To Mama
The Carter Family Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dear, dear Mama, now that we're older
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you mean a lot to me

She always got me out of bed early Sunday morn'
And took me out to church where I could learn about the Lord
Mama tried to tell me how my life was gonna be

But I was young and wild, and it was hard for me to see

Dear Mama, now that we're older
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you mean a lot to me

Mama, you always taught me right from wrong when I was growin' up
And it's a pity that most people like me
Have to try everything for themselves
I realize now that you always knew just what you were talkin' about
And mama for all that hard work you did
And for the sacrifices you made for us
I just wanna say, thanks a lot

Dear Mama, now that we'reolder
We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
Mama you're a trooper, Mama you're a soldier

Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you mean a lot to me

Overall Meaning

The Carter Family's song "A Song To Mama" is a touching tribute to the unconditional love and unwavering support of a mother. The song reflects on the struggles and sacrifices that a mother goes through to raise and guide her children through life, and how it's not until the children are older that they truly appreciate all that their mother has done for them.

The lyrics convey a sense of regret, as the singer remembers how they were young and wild and didn't listen to their mother's wisdom. The line "Mama tried to tell me how my life was gonna be, but I was young and wild, and it was hard for me to see" suggests that the mother was always thinking ahead and trying to prepare her child for the challenges of life, but the child was too stubborn to listen at the time. However, as the singer has grown older, they can now see the "load on your tired old shoulders" and recognize the hard work and sacrifices that their mother made for them.

The song touches on themes of love, respect, and gratitude, and highlights the importance of family and the bond between mother and child. It's a reminder to take a moment to appreciate the people who have always been there for us, and to express our love and gratitude while we still can.

Line by Line Meaning

Dear, dear Mama, now that we're older
Now that we have grown up, we truly understand and appreciate everything you have done for us, dear Mama.

We can see the load on your tired old shoulders
We can see how much you have done for us, and how much you have sacrificed for the family, dear Mama.

Mama you're a trooper, mama you're a soldier
Mama, you are strong, determined, and courageous, and we admire you for everything you have overcome.

Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you are very special and important to me, and I love you very much.

She always got me out of bed early Sunday morn'
Mama always woke me up early on Sundays and took me to church, where I could learn about God and faith.

And took me out to church where I could learn about the Lord
Mama brought me to church, where I learned about faith, spirituality, and the love of God.

Mama tried to tell me how my life was gonna be
Mama attempted to guide and advise me on how to live my life, but I was young and naive, and it was difficult for me to understand at the time.

But I was young and wild, and it was hard for me to see
I was ignorant and reckless as a youth, and did not fully comprehend the wisdom and guidance Mama was providing me.

Mama, you always taught me right from wrong when I was growin' up
Mama instilled in me a strong sense of morality and ethics as I was growing up, and I am grateful for her guidance and support.

And it's a pity that most people like me
Regrettably, many people, myself included, must experience hardships and consequences firsthand before truly learning from their mistakes.

Have to try everything for themselves
Often, people must learn from their own experiences and mistakes, rather than just taking the advice and guidance of others.

I realize now that you always knew just what you were talkin' about
Now that I am older and wiser, I can see that Mama was always right, and that her words of wisdom were very valuable and insightful.

And mama for all that hard work you did
Mama, for all the hard work and sacrifice you have made for your family and your children, we are forever grateful.

And for the sacrifices you made for us
Mama, for all the things you gave up, the opportunities you passed over, and the hard times you endured, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I just wanna say, thanks a lot
Mama, I just want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for everything you have done for me and the family. Thank you very much.

Mama, you mean a lot to me
Mama, you are so important and special to me, and I cherish and value your love, guidance, and support always.

Lyrics © FOX MUSIC, INC., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KENNETH EDMONDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS