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 Working on a Building
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
For my lord for my lord
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
If I was a liar I tell you what I would do
I would quit my lyin' and work on a building too
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
For my lord for my lord
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
For my lord for my lord
If I was drunkard I tell you what I would do
I would quit my drinkin' and work on a building too
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
For my lord for my lord
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
For my lord for my lord
If I was a preacher I tell you what I would do
I would keep on preachin' and work on a building too
I'm a workin on building
I'm a workin' on building
I'm a workin' on building
For my lord for my lord
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
It's a holy ghost building
For my lord for my lord
The Carter Family's song "I'm Working on a Building" is a gospel song which features repetitive lyrics and focuses on the idea of building a holy ghost building for the Lord. The song expresses the importance of working on improving oneself and building something that would help in serving the Lord. The song starts with the singer repeating the line "I'm working on building" four times which implies a sense of dedication and focus. They then go on to repeat the phrase "It's a holy ghost building for my lord" three times. This repetition emphasizes the importance and holiness of the building while also signifying the singer's devotion.
The lyrics also suggest that if one was to live a life of lying, drinking, or anything opposing the teachings of the Lord, they should quit and start working on the building. This shows that the song promotes a lifestyle that is based on righteousness and piety. The song ends with the singer repeating that they are "working on a building for their Lord".
Overall, the song is a representation of the importance of building oneself in the eyes of the Lord and dedicating oneself to a higher purpose. It encourages listeners to change their ways and work on building something that would help in serving the Lord.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a workin' on building
I am currently constructing a building
For my lord for my lord
This building is being constructed as an offering to the Lord
It's a holy ghost building
This building is being constructed with the guidance of the Holy Spirit
If I was a liar I tell you what I would do
If I were a liar, I would stop lying and start working on the holy ghost building
I would quit my lyin' and work on a building too
I would stop lying and start contributing to the construction of the holy ghost building
If I was drunkard I tell you what I would do
If I were an alcoholic, I would stop drinking and start working on the holy ghost building
I would quit my drinkin' and work on a building too
I would stop drinking and start contributing to the construction of the holy ghost building
If I was a preacher I tell you what I would do
If I were a preacher, I would continue preaching and contribute to the construction of the holy ghost building
I would keep on preachin' and work on a building too
I would continue preaching and also contribute to the construction of the holy ghost building
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Clyde Wood
Love this. The Carters are American music icons.
C K
Makes me proud to come from people like this. God bless their memory....
Hazen Sweeney
That's great harmony and great guitar playing by Maybelle.
A Pa
not quite a hundred years ago and still the words and feelings ring true. God bless those who put their faith in the Lord.
Eijiro Kirishima The Sturdy
love it
Debra Roddy
I love this song ❤️❤️❤️
Keith McLaughlin
This brings a great start of the day to me thanks
kateandphoebe
One of my favorite remakes of "Working on a Building" is by 1990's rock star Tracy Bonham with her bluegrass group the Wayfaring Strangers -https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrvvu04d9ds
zinctoo
My father loved them and so do I.
Nathan Ngumi
Amen!