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
Bye and Bye
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On one cold and cloudy day
And I saw the hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Can the circle be unbroken
Bye and bye, Lord, bye and bye
There's a better home a-waiting
Lord, I told the undertaker
Undertaker, please drive slow
For this body you are hauling Lord
I hate to see her go
Can the circle be unbroken
Bye and bye, Lord, bye and bye
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Can the circle be unbroken
Bye and bye, Lord, bye and bye
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Went back home
Lord, my home was lonesome
Miss my mother she was gone
All my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
Can the circle be unbroken
Bye and bye, Lord, bye and bye
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
The Carter Family's song "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of losing a loved one. The lyrics describe the singer standing by a window on a "cold and cloudy day" and seeing a hearse roll by to take away their mother's body. They then ask the question "can the circle be unbroken?" suggesting that the loss of their mother has disrupted the natural cycle of life and death.
The singer pleads with the undertaker to "please drive slow" as they hate to see their mother go. This is a poignant moment, as the singer recognizes the finality of death and their inability to stop it. They then describe following their mother's body to the grave and trying to be brave, but ultimately being unable to hide their sorrow.
The final verse describes returning home to a house that feels lonely without their mother. The singer notes that all of their siblings are crying and the home is "sad and lone." The repetitive refrain of "there's a better home a-waiting in the sky, Lord, in the sky" provides a glimmer of hope and comfort amidst the grief.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing by the window
I was standing by the window.
On one cold and cloudy day
It was a cold and cloudy day.
And I saw the hearse come rolling
I saw the hearse arrive.
For to carry my mother away
The hearse was there to take my mother's body.
Can the circle be unbroken
Can we be reunited with our loved ones one day?
Bye and bye, Lord, bye and bye
Perhaps in the afterlife.
There's a better home a-waiting
There's a peaceful place waiting for us.
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Maybe heaven.
Lord, I told the undertaker
I asked the undertaker.
Undertaker, please drive slow
Please drive slowly.
For this body you are hauling Lord
The body you are carrying.
I hate to see her go
I'm sad to see her leave.
I followed close behind her
I followed the hearse behind her.
Tried to hold up and be brave
I tried to remain strong.
But I could not hide my sorrow
But my sadness was visible.
When they laid her in the grave
When they put her in the ground.
Went back home
I returned home.
Lord, my home was lonesome
My home was very lonely.
Miss my mother she was gone
I miss my mother who has passed away.
All my brothers, sisters crying
All my siblings are also mourning.
What a home so sad and lone
My home is now sad and lonely.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alvin Pleasant Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trublgrl
Thank you for sharing this piece of recording history, and thank you for remembering our loved ones. There's a better home awaiting, in the sky, Lord in the sky.
@donaldgeorge5455
At some Protestant funerals, family and friends would gather around the casket holding hands and sing this song. Wished I could have had that experience.
@dbaucom
Who could unlike this? Love this song. I miss my muntney. I hear her singing this.
@propisthedevil8792
The devil