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
He Took a White Rose From Her Hair
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember once that he said
He loved me better than his life
He called me his darling his wife
Then asked me to be his own bride
Oh darling he said I am sure
Your heart is made of a stone
He took a white rose from my hair
The next fateful day Willie was dead
He was found in the pond near the mill
Oh the clear precious waters so fair
That flows from the branch of the hills
His blue eyes were forever closed
And damp was his golden hair
And close to his pale lips was found
The white rose he took from my hair
The Carter Family's song "He Took a White Rose From Her Hair" tells a tragic love story about a woman, who is deeply in love with a man named Willie. She is determined to be faithful to him forever, even after his untimely death. In the first verse, she begs for him to come back, promising to remain loyal to him. Then, she recalls a time when Willie expressed his love for her and asked her to be his bride. However, he also warned her that she had a heart of stone.
In the second verse, the woman remembers the last time she saw Willie alive. He took a white rose from her hair before leaving her alone. The next day, Willie was found dead in a pond near the mill. The woman is devastated by his loss and the discovery that Willie had kept the white rose she had given him until his death. The song is a sorrowful reminder of the fragility of life and the pain of lost love.
Overall, "He Took a White Rose From Her Hair" captures the timeless theme of love and loss. It is a beautiful testament to the power of music to express the most profound human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Willie my darling come back I will ever be faithful and true
The singer is desperately pleading for Willie to return, promising everlasting loyalty.
Oh Willie my darling come back I'll forever be faithful to you
The singer reiterates their commitment to faithfulness and love, emphasizing that their feelings are unchanging.
I remember once that he said
The singer reminisces about a past conversation with Willie.
He loved me better than his life
Willie declared his love for the artist and claimed that his affection for them surpassed even his own survival instinct.
He called me his darling his wife
Willie referred to the artist affectionately as his spouse.
Then asked me to be his own bride
Willie proposed marriage to the singer, requesting that they become each other's lifelong partners.
Oh darling he said I am sure Your heart is made of a stone
Willie expressed doubt about the singer's ability to love fully or reciprocate his feelings.
He took a white rose from my hair Then left me a standing alone
Willie took a white rose from the artist's hair, then left them behind and alone with their thoughts and emotions.
The next fateful day Willie was dead He was found in the pond near the mill
Willie died tragically and was discovered in a nearby body of water.
Oh the clear precious waters so fair That flows from the branch of the hills
The artist describes the natural beauty of the water where Willie's body was found.
His blue eyes were forever closed And damp was his golden hair
Willie's corpse was identified by his closed blue eyes and moist blonde hair.
And close to his pale lips was found The white rose he took from my hair
The white rose that Willie took from the artist's hair was discovered near his mouth after his death.
Writer(s): A. P. Carter
Contributed by Levi M. 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 :)
Marvin Dockery
First time to hear this song.
Enjoyed from Leyte, Philippines. Hope to be back near the Tennessee mountains by March.