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 Carterâs grandson Dale Jett, Maybelle Carterâs 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
Carter's Blues
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To view the fields and take the air
For to view the fields and meadows around
I thought I heard some mournful sound
I thought I heard my true love say
"Oh, do turn and come this way"
Yodel-ay-ee, oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee
You love some other, you don't love me
You care not for my company
You love some other, and I know why
Because he has more gold than I
But gold will melt and silver will fly
My love for you will never die
Yodel-ay-ee, oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee
There is a flower, I've heard them say
That can be seen from day to day
And if that flower I only could find
To cure this aching heart of mine
Yodel-ay-ee, oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee
So fare you well, my charming little love
Oh, meet me in that land above
And when we meet there in that land
We'll take no more this parting hand
Yodel-ay-ee, oh-lay-ee, ay-oh-lay-ee
The Carter Family's song "Carter's Blues" tells the tale of a man who wakes up one morning to take in the beauty of his surroundings. However, instead of finding joy in the natural world, he hears a mournful sound which turns out to be the voice of his true love. She tells him that he loves someone else who has more wealth than he does. The man responds that while gold may be valuable, his love for her will never die.
The song continues with the man expressing his desire to find a flower that can cure his aching heart caused by his unrequited love. He then bids farewell to his love, expressing hope that they will meet again in a better place where they will not have to endure the pain of parting.
"Carter's Blues" is a classic example of the Carter Family's signature sound, which is characterized by simple but heartfelt lyrics, intricate harmonies, and sparse instrumentation. The song was first recorded in 1930 in Bristol, Tennessee, by the original members of the group, A.P. Carter, his wife Sara, and his sister-in-law Maybelle. Since then, the song has been covered by numerous artists and has become a staple of the country and folk music traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
As I woke up one morning fair
To view the fields and take the air
As I woke up one fine morning to breathe in the fresh air and admire the fields
For to view the fields and meadows around
I thought I heard some mournful sound
While admiring the beauty around me, I heard a sad noise
I thought I heard my true love say
"Oh, do turn and come this way"
I thought my lover spoke to me and asked me to come close
You love some other, you don't love me
You care not for my company
You love someone else and don't enjoy spending time with me
You love some other, and I know why
Because he has more gold than I
You prefer someone else because he has more wealth than I do
But gold will melt and silver will fly
My love for you will never die
Wealth can vanish, but my love for you will always endure
There is a flower, I've heard them say
That can be seen from day to day
And if that flower I only could find
To cure this aching heart of mine
I've been told of a flower that can heal my broken heart, one that I wish to find
So fare you well, my charming little love
Oh, meet me in that land above
And when we meet there in that land
We'll take no more this parting hand
Farewell, my dear love. Let's meet again in heaven and never have to part once more
Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
K.M. Slattery
What a voice! Sara is joy to listen to.đ
Samuel Groce
Thanks for posting this. It takes me back to my childhood. I still get a feeling of comfort when I hear the original Carter Family.
Cary Fridley
"I thought I heard some lonesome sound . . . "
banjopiano1
It was recorded in Atlanta Georgia on Novermber 24, 1929 according to Joe Bussard Jr.
Hazen Sweeney
Listen to that great guitar of Mother Maybelle Carter !
mavjimbo
Definitive guitar playing
Kiwi-Strawbery Comedy
Meh.. jk this is amazing