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
Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the air was crisp and clear
A cowboy lay on the starlit plain
And thought of his home so dear
He thought of his mother he loved so well
And the slumber of sleep was blurred
Not a sound to be heard but those of the night
The cattle are lying so quiet and still
On the carpet that mantles the west
While the golden links from the sky at night
Sings peace to the cowboy's stress
Still he thinks of his mother in a faraway land
And his thoughts by memory was stirred
And he sees himself to the old home again
As he sings a wild song to his herd
He's far from the din of the city noise
Where the links of folly do shine
He's far from the brawls of the dives of sin
And the flow of the sparkling wine
He's in the great west with its mantle of green
Where his neighbors say never a word
A land of marriages, mountains and plains
Where the cowboy sings low to his herd
The Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd by The Carter Family is a song that tells the story of a cowboy who is lying out on the grassy plains, singing to his herd of cattle. He is reminiscent of his childhood home and his mother whom he misses deeply. The calmness and quiet of the night allow him to unleash his emotions in this "wild song" to his herd.
The song depicts the cowboy as a solitary figure, who is far away from the noise of civilization, enjoying the peace and beauty of the natural world. The lyrics of the song highlight the deep connection between the cowboy and his cattle. The cowboy is singing to them, encouraging them to rest and relax, even as he himself is feeling homesick and longing for his family.
As the song progresses, it becomes apparent that the cowboy finds solace and comfort in the vast expanse of nature. His thoughts wander to his mother and his home, but he is also rooted in the present, enjoying the peacefulness of the night and the tranquility of the surroundings. The song paints a picture of a cowboy who is at once tough and resilient, but also vulnerable and sensitive.
Overall, Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd is a beautifully evocative song that captures the spirit of the American West, and the deep connection between men and animals.
Line by Line Meaning
One beautiful night when the moon was full
On a beautiful night when the full moon illuminated the landscape
And the air was crisp and clear
With the air being fresh and clear
A cowboy lay on the starlit plain
A cowboy rested on a plain that was illuminated by stars
And thought of his home so dear
And reflected on his beloved home
He thought of his mother he loved so well
He specifically thought fondly of his mother, whom he dearly loved
And the slumber of sleep was blurred
And he struggled to sleep, as he was restless
Not a sound to be heard but those of the night
There wasn't a sound other than those which come from the surrounding night
As he sang a wild song to his herd
While he serenaded his herd with a spirited melody
The cattle are lying so quiet and still
The cows were so tranquil and inactive
On the carpet that mantles the west
On the carpet-like terrain that covers the western horizon
While the golden links from the sky at night
Whilst the gold-colored links from the night sky
Sings peace to the cowboy's stress
Provided serenity and comfort for the cowboy's worries
Still he thinks of his mother in a faraway land
Nevertheless, he still reminisces in regard to his mother, who is in a distant location
And his thoughts by memory was stirred
And this recollection sparked delightful thoughts
And he sees himself to the old home again
It led him to envision himself back in his old home
As he sings a wild song to his herd
Even as he sang a boisterous tune for his cows
He's far from the din of the city noise
He's a considerable distance away from the clamor of urban environments
Where the links of folly do shine
Where frivolous objects are common
He's far from the brawls of the dives of sin
He's also a significant distance from trouble spots, like sinful bars
And the flow of the sparkling wine
As well as the luxurious wine that flows in such establishments
He's in the great west with its mantle of green
He's currently in the impressive western scenery which is predominately green
Where his neighbors say never a word
In a land where his nearby peers say nothing
A land of marriages, mountains and plains
A location filled with romanticized images of mountains and plains
Where the cowboy sings low to his herd
A place where a cowboy will sing a quieter tune to his cows
Contributed by Lucas D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Carter Family Channel
This 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 :)
Santiago Jiménez
These songs makes me feel so nostalgic, although is not my country or age neither, God bless Carter Family.
Blossom Blackwood
I love the Carter family with all of my heart. I listen to them almost every day. Their voices are so lovely, their songs are truly inspiring. I wish that they were still around so that i could meet them. I am truly delighted to learn that June Carter Cash had made my home country of Jamaica her second home.
The Carter Family Channel
What a lovely message :) thank you.
Rebekah La Fever
I enjoy the Carter family so much! Great channel !... ...
Thank you so much... ...🎼💙