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
Church in the Wildwood
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No lovelier place in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
[bass] Oh, come, come, come, come
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
How sweet on a clear sabbath morning
To listen to the clear ringing bells
Its gongs so sweetly are calling
Oh, come to the church in the dell
[bass] Oh, come, come, come, come
[all] Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
There, close by the side of the loved one
'Neath the tree where the wildflowers bloom
She sleeps, sweet love sleeps 'neath the willow
Disturb not her rest in the tomb
[bass] Oh, come, come, come, come
[all] Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
[bass] Oh, come, come, come, come
[all] Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
The Carter Family's song "Church In the Wildwood" is a nostalgic and sentimental piece about a small church nestled in a valley surrounded by trees and wildflowers. The lyrics evoke childhood memories of attending the church on clear Sabbath mornings and hearing the sweet ringing of the bells calling worshippers to come to the church in the dell. The final verse speaks of a loved one who is buried near the church and must not be disturbed in her peaceful rest.
The song's simple melody and lyrics capture the essence of small-town America and its deep-rooted traditions of religion and community. It has become an enduring piece of American folklore, often sung in churches or at family gatherings. The Carter Family, who originated from Appalachia, were known for their country and folk music and popularized the song in the 1920s.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a church in the valley in the wildwood
In this valley surrounded by wild trees, a church has been built where people gather to worship.
No lovelier place in the dell
There is no more beautiful or charming place in this valley.
No spot is so dear to my childhood
This is a special, sentimental place that holds great value and significance to my childhood memories.
As the little brown church in the dell
This small, unassuming church in the valley holds an important place in my heart and memories.
How sweet on a clear sabbath morning
On a peaceful, quiet morning of the Sabbath, it is especially pleasant to be close to this church.
To listen to the clear ringing bells
The clear sound of the bells ringing is a beautiful and peaceful sound to hear.
Its gongs so sweetly are calling
The ringing of the bells is like an invitation, calling people to come closer to the church.
There, close by the side of the loved one
In this area near the church, someone dear to the singer lies buried.
'Neath the tree where the wildflowers bloom
This person's grave is under a tree, surrounded by wildflowers.
She sleeps, sweet love sleeps 'neath the willow
This person is at rest, sleeping peacefully under a willow tree.
Disturb not her rest in the tomb
It is important not to disturb the final resting place of this loved one.
Come to the church in the wildwood
The singer urges people to come to this special church located in the wildwood.
Oh, come to the church in the dell
The singer repeats the invitation to come to the small church in the valley, emphasizing its importance.
Oh, come, come, come, come
The singer urges people, again and again, to come to the church.
No spot is so dear to my childhood
The singer repeats the sentiment that this special church holds great value and significance to their childhood memories.
As the little brown church in the dell
Once again, the singer emphasizes that this small, humble church holds an important place in their heart and memories.
Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
louie branko
There's a church in the valley in the wildwood
No lovelier place in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
Oh, come, come, come, come
Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
How sweet on a clear sabbath morning
To listen to the clear ringing bells
Its gongs so sweetly are calling
Oh, come to the church in the dell
Oh, come, come, come, come
Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
There, close by the side of the loved one
'Neath the tree where the wildflowers bloom
She sleeps, sweet love sleeps 'neath the willow
Disturb not her rest in the tomb
Oh, come, come, come, come
Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
Oh, come, come, come, come
Come to the church in the wildwood
Oh, come to the church in the dell
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dell
Vanessa Santry-Edwards
My great grandmother used to sing this song all the time and it always brings a smile to my face.
David Preston
Hello Vanessa, how're you doing, I hope you are doing fine. I'm David from Houston, Texas. Where are you from? You seems like a real Country girl😊🌹
mavjimbo
What a great memory
Edward Brown
The Carter family......America's first family of country music. They are GREAT!
1chattygirl
These hymns not only connect me to God, but richly warm my heartfelt memories of my Daddy and Mother.
Cat Mama in YEG
I grew up listening to the Carter Family. The memories are flooding back to me. Thank God for our memories
Javier Monteagudo Soriano
Uno de mis temas favoritos de Country Gospel. La mejor versión junto con las de The Forester Sisters y The Statler Brothers.
The Carter Family fue de los primeros grupos en cantar en versión folk los principales temas de Country Gospel.
carrotjuse
I love the Carter Family. This was my mothers' favorite hymn. She had such a beautiful voice. Thank you for posting.
S L
Such a tune. 2 beers in and absoloutly loving it 🙌
Burton Capps
The Carter Family was one of the pioneers gospel music. The way they collected songs was brilliant. Thy traveled all over mountains and collected songs some of the songs were in those locations for years. Amazing.