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
Jimmie Rodgers Visits The Carter Family
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a sunny mountainside
Many years ago we parted
My little Ruth and I
From the sunny mountainside
(Talking)
How I love you none can tell
In your heart you love another
Little darling pal of mine
(Talking)
???
The lyrics to The Carter Family's song "Jimmie Rodgers Visits the Carter Family" tell the story of a woman named Ruth who was once separated from her lover many years ago on a sunny mountainside. The singer expresses their love for Ruth, but sadly says that she loves someone else. The song is about the pain of unrequited love and the nostalgia of a past romance that can never be rekindled. The "Talking" sections in the lyrics suggest that this song may have been a live performance, with the Carter family members engaging with the audience between verses.
Line by Line Meaning
Far away on a hill
We were separated long ago and now I find myself on a distant hill.
To a sunny mountainside
I am reminiscing about a sunny mountainside where I have parted ways with my loved one.
Many years ago we parted
It has been several years since my beloved and I parted ways.
My little Ruth and I
I was separated from my dear Ruth, who means a lot to me.
From the sunny mountainside
We had to leave the happy and sunny mountainside where we once spent time together.
My little darling, oh, how I love you
I express my deep love for my little darling.
How I love you none can tell
It is impossible to express the depth of my love for my darling verbally.
In your heart you love another
I know in my heart that my beloved loves someone else.
Little darling pal of mine
Despite this, I still refer to my beloved as a dear friend and pal of mine.
(Talking)
The lines in parentheses indicate that the artist is transitioning between song and speech, or that they are engaging in casual conversation with the listener/listeners.
Contributed by Jordan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ege Emsun
Wow "little darling pal of Mine" that starts on 1:13 is so good.
Scott Lee
"Son, go get the ole boy a little squirt, will yah??"
I use this line all the time now haha. Jimmie Rodgers was a true original!