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
Daddy Sang Bass
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That tells about the reason for it all
That takes us back home and
Again, tells it like it was when I was a little bitty kid
And we gathered around the piana
And me and little brother would join in
And mamma would sing tenor, and dad would sing bass
Times were hard and things were bad
But there's a silver linin' behind every cloud
Just poor people that's all we were
Tryin' to make a livin' out of black-land dirt
We'd get together in a family circle singin' loud
Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there
Singin' seems to help a troubled soul
One of these days and it won't be long
I'll rejoin them in a song
I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
Though the circle won't be broken
By and by, Lord, by and by
Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I remember after work mama would call in all of us
You could hear us singin' for a country mile
Now little brother has done gone on
But I'll rejoin him in a song
We'll be together again up yonder in a little while
Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there
Singin' seems to help a troubled soul
One of these days and it won't be long
I'll rejoin them in a song
I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
Oh no the circle won't be broken
By and by, Lord, by and by
Daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
Me and little brother would join right in there
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
The lyrics to The Carter Family's song "Daddy Sang Bass" tell a heartfelt story of a family coming together through music during tough times. The song was written by Carl Perkins and reflects on the experiences of the singer as a child, reminiscing about gathering around the piano with their family.
The first verse describes how Carl Perkins wrote another song for the family, one that brings them back to their roots and reminds them of their past. It paints a picture of a young child, joining in with their little brother as their mother sings tenor and their father sings bass. This imagery showcases the unity and harmony that music brings to their family.
The second verse delves into the hardships the family faced. The singer recalls the difficult times they encountered as poor people trying to make a living from the land. However, even in the face of adversity, they found solace in their family circle, using music as a way to cope and find hope. Singing together helped uplift their spirits and brought them closer as a family.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of singing in soothing troubled souls. It suggests that through the power of music, their troubles could be alleviated. The singer looks forward to a future day when they will be reunited with their loved ones in song. They express a longing to join the family circle again, this time in a heavenly realm, where the circle won't be broken and they can sing together forever.
The final verse reflects on the passage of time and the loss of the singer's little brother. Despite the sadness, there is hope for a reunion in song in the afterlife. The lyrics convey the belief that death is not the end and that the family will be together again, harmonizing in the sky.
In summary, "Daddy Sang Bass" is a song that celebrates the power of music to bring families together, provide comfort in difficult times, and offer the hope of reunion even after death. It touches on themes of unity, resilience, and the enduring bond of love within a family.
Line by Line Meaning
And, and Carl Perkins wrote us another song
We were fortunate to have Carl Perkins write us another song.
That tells about the reason for it all
The song reveals the purpose and meaning behind our existence.
That takes us back home and
The song transports us back to our childhood home.
Again, tells it like it was when I was a little bitty kid
It accurately depicts how things were when I was a young child.
And we gathered around the piana
We would come together around the piano.
And me and little brother would join in
Both my little brother and I would participate.
And mamma would sing tenor, and dad would sing bass
Our mother would sing in the tenor voice, while our father would sing in the bass voice.
I remember when I was a lad
I have vivid memories of my childhood.
Times were hard and things were bad
We faced difficulties and hardships during that period.
But there's a silver linin' behind every cloud
Despite the challenges, there is always a glimmer of hope and positivity.
Just poor people that's all we were
We were simply poor individuals.
Tryin' to make a livin' out of black-land dirt
We were struggling to earn a livelihood from the fertile but challenging black soil.
We'd get together in a family circle singin' loud
We would come together as a family, forming a circle and singing with great enthusiasm.
Singin' seems to help a troubled soul
The act of singing has a calming and healing effect on a troubled heart.
One of these days and it won't be long
In the near future, it won't be too far away.
I'll rejoin them in a song
I will reunite with my loved ones and sing together once again.
I'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
I will become a part of the family gathering in heaven.
Though the circle won't be broken
Even though the circle of our family will not be separated.
By and by, Lord, by and by
Eventually, in due time, oh Lord, in due time.
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
We will be together in the sky, with the presence of the Lord.
I remember after work mama would call in all of us
After a day of work, our mother would gather all of us.
You could hear us singin' for a country mile
Our voices would carry for a long distance, resonating in the countryside.
Now little brother has done gone on
Unfortunately, my little brother has passed away.
But I'll rejoin him in a song
However, I will join him once again through the power of music.
We'll be together again up yonder in a little while
We will be reunited in the heavenly realm after a short passage of time.
Oh no the circle won't be broken
The family circle will remain unbroken.
By and by, Lord, by and by
Gradually, eventually, oh Lord, eventually.
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
In the sky, with the presence of the Lord.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carl Perkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RonjaGM
I remember when i was a lad
times were hard and things were bad
but there's a silver linin' behind ev'ry cloud
just four people that 's all we were
tryin' to make a livin' out of black-land dirt
but we'd get together in a family circle singin' loud
daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
me and little brother would join right in there
singin' seems to help a troubled soul
one of these days and it won't be long
i'll rejoin them in a song
i'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
though the circle won't be broken
by and by, lord, by and by
daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
me and little brother would join right in there
in the sky, lord, in the sky
now i remember after work mama would call in all of us
you could hear us singin' for a country mile
now little brother has done gone on
but i'll rejoin him in a song
we'll be together again up yonder in a little while
daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
me and little brother would join right in there
'cause singin' seems to help a troubled soul
one of these days and it won't be long
i'll rejoin them in a song
i'm gonna join the family circle at the throne
oh no the circle won't be broken
by and by, lord, by and by
daddy sang bass (mama sang tenor)
me and little brother would join right in there
in the sky, lord, in the sky
in the sky, lord, in the sky
yankee valle
john cash and carter family forever, they all are amazing!
XXPurecountryXX
R.I.P JC, your music will always live on ~PC~
Gary Krantz
Must be what Heaven looks like
Nomad
awsome
zzubuzz
My sister used to sing during this song "Mama sang bass, Daddy sang soprano" Hey, those long 650 mile trips from Mi. to TN. got boring without a little fun making.
Patriot
The title should also include "The Statler Brothers"... !
Jippyajee
good song
PaperLanterns94
That's definitely the rest of the Carter family along with June :)
mojogarman65
June is working that green dress!