The Carter Family was a country music group that performed and recorded bet… Read Full Bio ↴The Carter Family was a country music group that performed and recorded between 1927 and 1943. Their music had a profound impact on later bluegrass, country, pop and rock musicians, as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s.

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

Don't Forget This Song
The Carter Family Lyrics

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My home's in old Virginny
Among the lovely hills
The memory of my birthplace
Lies in my bosom still

I did not like my fireside
I did not like my home
I have a mind for rambling

So far away from home

It was on one moonlight evening
The stars were shining bright
And with an ugly dagger
I made the spirit fly

Twas then the sober struck me
As plain as you can see
I'm doomed, I'm ruined forever
Throughout eternity

I courted a fair young lady
Her name I will not tell
Oh, why should I disgrace her
When I am doomed for hell

But now I'm upon my scaffold
My time's not very long

You may forget the singer
But don't forget this song

Overall Meaning

The Carter Family's song "Don't Forget This Song (My Home)" speaks about the singer's birthplace in Virginia and their yearning for adventure and travel that is so strong that they do not like their home. The song carries a somber tone as the singer confesses to committing a crime ("And with an ugly dagger, I made the spirit fly"), leading to their eventual execution ("But now I'm upon my scaffold, my time's not very long"). The lyrics suggest that the singer is filled with remorse and regrets their choices which have led them to their current fate ("I'm doomed, I'm ruined forever throughout eternity"). The song ends with a plea to remember the song long after the singer has gone.

The overall theme of the song is about coming to terms with one's actions and accepting their consequences. The singer realizes the gravity of their heinous act and accepts their fate, urging the listener to remember the song as a warning against making the same mistake. The song also touches upon the idea of the loss of innocence and how the memory of one's home can stay with them through thick and thin.

The song's structure is simple, featuring repetitive melody and straightforward lyrics that create a somber mood while conveying the message effectively. The lyrics are raw and emotional, expressing the singer's inner turmoil and the regret that has consumed them. The Carter Family's hauntingly beautiful performance of the song adds to its emotional depth.

Line by Line Meaning

My home's in old Virginny
I come from Virginia, a place filled with beautiful hills and memories of my birthplace still live in my heart.

Among the lovely hills
I lived in a place surrounded by hills, which added to the beauty of my home.

The memory of my birthplace
My hometown and the memories associated with it are forever etched in my heart.

Lies in my bosom still
Even though I am far away from my birthplace, the memories associated with it still linger in my heart.

I did not like my fireside
I never really liked staying at home and preferred to be on the move.

I did not like my home
The idea of being tied down to one place was not appealing to me

I have a mind for rambling
I always had the desire to travel far and wide.

So far away from home
I always wanted to be far away from home and explore the world outside.

It was on one moonlight evening
On one particular evening, when the moon was shining bright, something happened.

The stars were shining bright
The sky was clear and the stars were out in full force.

And with an ugly dagger
I used a deadly weapon to cause harm to someone.

I made the spirit fly
I killed someone, and their spirit left their body.

Twas then the sober struck me
I suddenly realized the gravity of my actions and the consequences that would follow.

As plain as you can see
I came to the realization so clearly, there was no mistaking it.

I'm doomed, I'm ruined forever
I knew that my actions would have a permanent effect on my life, and I would be condemned forever.

Throughout eternity
The repercussions of my actions will haunt me forever, and there is no escaping them.

I courted a fair young lady
I was in love with a beautiful girl.

Her name I will not tell
I will not reveal her name to protect her from any disgrace that may be associated with me.

Oh, why should I disgrace her
There is no reason for me to tarnish her name or endanger her virtue.

When I am doomed for hell
I am already destined for hell because of my actions, and I cannot bear the thought of taking someone down with me.

But now I'm upon my scaffold
I am standing on the gallows, waiting to be hanged.

My time's not very long
I have only a short time left to live, and the end is nigh.

You may forget the singer
Even if you forget the person who sang this song, what it conveys should never be forgotten.

But don't forget this song
This song is a reminder of the consequences of our actions and the importance of leading a responsible life, lest we face a similar fate.

Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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