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
Coal Miner s Blues
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some blues are just blues, mine are the miner's blues
My troubles are coming by threes and by twos
Blues and more blues, it's that coal black blues
Blues and more blues, it's that coal black blues
Got coal in my hair, got coal in my shoes
These blues are so blue, they are the coal black blues
For my place will cave in and my life I will lose
You say they are blues, these old miner's blues
You say they are blues, these old miner's blues
Now I must have sharpened these picks that I use
I'm out with these blues, dirty coal black blues
I'm out with these blues, dirty coal black blues
We'll lay off tomorrow with the coal miner's blues
The lyrics to The Carter Family’s song Coal Miner’s Blues reflect the harsh and dangerous reality of life as a coal miner in the early 20th century. The singer laments that while some people may experience ordinary troubles, their problems are coming “by threes and by twos,” likely referring to the frequent accidents and fatalities that occurred in coal mines. The repeated phrase “blues and more blues” emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of despair and hopelessness that arises from the singer’s situation. They have coal in their hair and shoes, which not only indicates the physical toll of the job but also demonstrates how it pervades their entire life. The refrain “these blues are so blue, they are the coal black blues” underscores the pervasive feeling of darkness and despair that pervades the song, as well as the industry it describes.
The final verse reinforces the idea that the singer’s life is consumed by their profession. They claim that the picks they use every day must be sharpened in their free time. Even when they are not working, their life is still tethered to the mine. The song ends with the singer stating that they will be “lay off tomorrow with the coal miner’s blues,” implying that while relief from their job may be temporary, they will still carry the psychological weight of their profession with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Some blues are just blues, mine are the miner's blues
My troubles are unique and are associated with being a coal miner
Blues and more blues, it's that coal black blues
My blues are vast and dark, associated with the coal mining industry
Got coal in my hair, got coal in my shoes
My job in the coal mine is so dirty that coal is everywhere, even in my hair and shoes
These blues are so blue, they are the coal black blues
My troubles are so intense that they feel as dark as coal
You say they are blues, these old miner's blues
Others may not understand the specific challenges and difficulties that come with being a coal miner
Now I must have sharpened these picks that I use
As a coal miner, I have to constantly maintain and sharpen my tools to ensure my safety and success
I'm out with these blues, dirty coal black blues
I am plagued with these dark and difficult coal miner's blues
We'll lay off tomorrow with the coal miner's blues
Even though these blues are a constant in my life, I will take a break from them tomorrow when we are out of work
Writer(s): CARTER, Calvin Carter
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Carter Family Channel
The channel was created with admiration and to help keep The Carter Family music alive, and share with the world! please help me do this for as long as possible, no profit is made from this channel but you are welcome to show your love and support to the channel with any donations, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8TNJ64TWNH9M2 any questions you have i am always happy to answer :) as the songs and footage are so old, time is spent to remastered them to the best possible quality, thank you Sara, A.P and Maybelle what you started back in 1927, you have meant so much to so many people and will always continue to, we miss you so much but what you left us will never be forgotten :)
Linda Mills
Maybelle guitar playing is lovely. Such a talented lady x
Lisa Letto
The guitar work on this song is especially fine