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
I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blu
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this wide and wicked world had never met
For the pleasure we've both seen together
I am sure, love, I'll never forget
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Oh, you told me once, dear, that you loved me
You said that we never would part
But a link in the chain has been broken
Leaves me with a sad and aching heart
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me
Will you come, dear, and shed just one tear
And say to the strangers around you
A poor heart you have broken lies here
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
The Carter Family's song "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" is a mournful ballad that tells the tale of a lost love who has gone astray. The singer in the song is haunted by the memory of a partner with blue eyes who once professed love but has now gone away, potentially never to return. The singer wonders if the lost love still thinks of them, as they are left alone with a sad and aching heart.
The first stanza of the song is a reflection on how it might have been better for both parties to have never met, given the sadness and longing that has arisen from their separation. The second stanza echoes the lamentation of a broken promise, as the link between the two has been broken leaving the singer with only pain. The final stanza is an elegy that the singer thinks about when they are no longer living, wondering if their lost love will mourn their passing.
The song is heartbreaking in its simplicity and in many ways, timeless. It speaks across generations and boundaries to the universal experience of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Would have been better for us both had we never
It would have been better if we had never met.
In this wide and wicked world had never met
We would have been better off not knowing each other in this harsh world.
For the pleasure we've both seen together
Despite the enjoyment we had, it wasn't worth the pain that followed.
I am sure, love, I'll never forget
The memories of our time together will always remain with me.
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
I can't stop thinking about my beloved who has blue eyes.
Who is sailing far over the sea
My loved one is far away from me and traveling by sea.
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
I am curious if my beloved still remembers me.
Oh, you told me once, dear, that you loved me
You said you loved me before my dear.
You said that we never would part
You promised we would never separate.
But a link in the chain has been broken
Now, that bond we shared has been broken.
Leaves me with a sad, and aching heart
It has left me heartbroken and in pain.
When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me
When I am dead and buried in the cold ground,
Will you come, dear, and shed just one tear
Will you come to my grave and show me even one tear of remorse, my love?
And say to the strangers around you
Tell those who may be present at my funeral,
A poor heart you have broken lies here
That you broke the heart of someone who lies here.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ganzie2000
Would have been better for us both had we never
In this wide and wicked world had never met
For the pleasure we've both seen together
I am sure, love, I'll never forget
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Oh, you told me once, dear, that you loved me
You said that we never would part
But a link in the chain has been broken
Leaves me with a sad and aching heart
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me
Will you come, dear, and shed just one tear
And say to the strangers around you
A poor heart you have broken lies here
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: A.P. Carter
I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
@melovescats15
Today in music class, we were learning about the origins of country music. My teacher played this song for us. I fell in love with this song from the first second. This song is so beautiful
@larrywilliams2325
I love this song and the music. This is a song that touches my soul. The Carter family was amazing. This is as good as country music gets. So thankful to hear it.
@gelorza08
so beautiful! this is true music. who else agrees?
@Ganzie2000
Would have been better for us both had we never
In this wide and wicked world had never met
For the pleasure we've both seen together
I am sure, love, I'll never forget
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Oh, you told me once, dear, that you loved me
You said that we never would part
But a link in the chain has been broken
Leaves me with a sad and aching heart
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me
Will you come, dear, and shed just one tear
And say to the strangers around you
A poor heart you have broken lies here
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: A.P. Carter
I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
@jimdecamp7204
A.P. captured a large part of the Southern American songbook before it disappeared forever. Maybelle Carter had a unique strumming technique. Their songs are consistent with the plain simple soil in which they were planted and grew. Touching tails of ordinary people.
@SirCoughsalot
Just ask for permission before touching their tails.
@philipcroft2236
Pure, no frills which allows the tune and words to shine.
@cowprint66
This song always gets me in my feels
@shodanart
We’re hearing history here. The Carters as early as 1927-28 started gathering and recording what would establish the great American Songbook. This was probably the 1935 re-recording still deep in the Great Depression.
The Carters along with Leadbelly (and many other unknown Irish immigrants, and black songsters and mixing of blues roots), Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Jimmie Rodgers establishing American folk music for years to come, influencing Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scrubbs.
@764144344
This is perhaps one of the most cherished songs of all time, if you love the true 'oldies' as I do.