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
Hello Central! Give Me Heaven
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I know my mother's there
And you'll find her with the angels
Over on the golden stair
She'll be glad it's me a speaking
Wont you call her for me please
For I surely want to tell her
Hello central give me heaven
For I know my mother's there
You will find her with the angels
Over on the golden stair
Poppa dear is said and lonely
Sobbed the tearful little child
Since momma's gone to heaven
Poppa dear you do not smile
I will speak to her and tell her
That we want her to come home
You just listen while I call her
Call her through the telephone
Hello central give me heaven
For I know my mother's there
You will find her with the angels
Over on the golden stair
I will answer just to please her
Yes dear hearts I'll soon come home
Kiss me momma it's your darling
Kiss me through the telephone
The song "Hello Central! Give Me Heaven" is a heartfelt and emotional song about a child trying to reach his mother who has passed away and gone to heaven. The song is written from the perspective of the child who is asking the operator to connect him to his mother in heaven. The child believes that his mother is with the angels over on the golden stairway and wants to tell her that they are sad without her.
The lyrics are poignant in describing the deep loneliness and sadness that the family is experiencing since the mother's passing. The father is described as being sad and lonely, and the child wants to speak to his mother to tell her that everyone wants her to come back home. The child's desire to talk to his mother through the telephone is a reflection of how much he wants to connect with her even though she is no longer physically present.
Overall, the song is a touching reflection of the depth of love and loss felt by those who have lost someone dear to them. The main message of the song is that there is always a longing to connect with those we have lost, and that love endures even beyond death.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello central give me heaven
I'm calling to speak with my mother who passed away and is in heaven
For I know my mother's there
I am convinced that my mother is in heaven
And you'll find her with the angels
I believe that my mother is surrounded by heavenly beings
Over on the golden stair
I envision my mother ascending to heaven on a shining staircase
She'll be glad it's me a speaking
My mother will be happy to hear my voice
Wont you call her for me please
Could you connect me with my mother, please?
For I surely want to tell her
I have something important to say to her
That we're sad without her here
We miss her and feel a sense of sorrow because she is no longer with us
Poppa dear is said and lonely
My father is grieving and in a state of sadness
Sobbed the tearful little child
I am weeping as a small and grief-stricken child
Since momma's gone to heaven
Ever since my mother passed away and went to heaven
Poppa dear you do not smile
My father is no longer able to smile
I will speak to her and tell her
I am determined to communicate with my mother and deliver my message
That we want her to come home
We miss her and want her to return to us
You just listen while I call her
Father, please listen as I contact my mother
I will answer just to please her
I will respond positively to reassure my mother
Yes dear hearts I'll soon come home
I promise to come home soon, my beloved family
Kiss me momma it's your darling
Please give me a kiss, mother, from your beloved child
Kiss me through the telephone
Even though we are far apart, I long for your affection and love
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lindy M Desjarlais
beautiful song
Joe Postove
This the REAL thing!
Keith McLaughlin
Mr. Freddy u brought joy to me once again!
William S.
Interesting that this song was still being sung in the 1930s.
Jolena Agapisou
This is twang country style singing!!! Lol