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
Amber Tresses
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the merry sunbeams play
There I wandered through the clover
Singing to a village maid
She was dearer than the dearest
Ever loving kind and true
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Fate decreed that we be parted
Ere the leaves of autumn fell
Then two hearts were separated
That had loved each other well
She was all I had to cherish
Ever loving kind and true
Now I see in every vision
Amber tresses tied with blue
She was dearer than the dearest
Ever loving kind and true
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Amber tresses tied with blue
The Carter Family's song "Amber Tresses" tells the story of a man who wanders through the sunny mountains and falls in love with a village maid. The lyrics describe her as a dear and loving person who wore amber tresses tied with blue beneath her bonnet. Unfortunately, fate intervenes, and they are parted just as autumn begins. The separation is a heart-wrenching experience for both the man and the woman who loved each other so dearly. Even though they are apart, the man continues to cherish his memories of her and sees her amber tresses tied with blue in every vision.
The song's melancholic melody and lyrics evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. The "amber tresses tied with blue" can be interpreted as a symbol of the woman's unique beauty and charm that the man can never forget. The song depicts the pain of lost love and the longing to preserve the memories of a precious relationship that could have been.
Overall, "Amber Tresses" is a touching and bittersweet song that captures the essence of love, separation, and nostalgia, resonate with listeners many years after it was first recorded.
Line by Line Meaning
Far away in sunny mountains
In a distant, sunny mountainous region
Where the merry sunbeams play
Where the sun shines happily
There I wandered through the clover
I roamed through clover fields
Singing to a village maid
And sang to a young woman from the town
She was dearer than the dearest
She was more precious than anything on earth
Ever loving kind and true
Loyal, kind, and affectionate
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Under her hat, she had
Amber tresses tied with blue
Blonde hair tied with blue ribbons
Fate decreed that we be parted
Unfortunately, destiny separated us
Ere the leaves of autumn fell
Before the falling of autumn leaves
Then two hearts were separated
Thus, our two hearts were broken
That had loved each other well
Although we had loved each other deeply
She was all I had to cherish
She was everything I held dear
Now I see in every vision
Even in my dreams,
Amber tresses tied with blue
I see her blonde hair tied with blue ribbons
She was dearer than the dearest
She was more precious than anything on earth
Ever loving kind and true
Loyal, kind, and affectionate
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Under her hat, she had
Amber tresses tied with blue
Blonde hair tied with blue ribbons
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Carter Family Channel
This channel was created to help keep The Carter Family music alive, and share with the world! please help me do this for as long as possible :) and please feel free to help support the channel with a donation, and any questions you have i am always happy to answer :) https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8TNJ64TWNH9M2
The Carter Family Channel
@DRAGLINE Pictures thank you for your kind comment 🙂
DRAGLINE Pictures
Their music will live forevermore. Thank you for doing this work.
peggy marsheck
Anita Carter said this was her favorite OCF song.
Jack Casey
@peggy marsheck her version wasn’t bad either! Lol I have both downloaded and listen to them almost daily.
Liz Nakazawa
It doesn't get much better than this. Thank you!
peggy marsheck
yes, she did a nice job on it. @The Carter Family Channel
The Carter Family Channel
Yes Peggy :) have you heard the version she recorded?