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
Little Black Train
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Set your business right
There's a little black train a coming
And it may be here tonight
Go tell that ballroom lady
All dressed in the worldly pride
That death's dark train is coming
Prepare to take a ride
God said to Hezikah
A message from on high
You better set your house in order
For you must surely die
He turned to the wall in weeping
We see him here in tears
He got his business fixed all right
God spared him fifteen years
There's a little black train a coming
Set your business right
There's a little black train a coming
And it may be here tonight
Go tell that ballroom lady
All dressed in the worldly pride
That death's dark train is coming
Prepare to take a ride
We see that train with engine
And one small baggage car
Your idle thoughts and wicked deeds
Will stop at the judgement bar
There's a little black train a coming
Set your business right
There's a little black train a coming
And it may be here tonight
Go tell that ballroom lady
All dressed in the worldly pride
That death's dark train is coming
Prepare to take a ride
That poor young man in darkness
Cared not for the gospel light
'Til suddenly he heard the whistle blow
On the little black train, and sighed
"Have mercy on me, Lord
Please come and set me right"
Before he got his business fixed
The train rolled in that night
There's a little black train a coming
Set your business right
There's a little black train a coming
And it may be here tonight
Go tell that ballroom lady
All dressed in the worldly pride
That death's dark train is coming
Prepare to take a ride
The Carter Family's "Little Black Train" is a religious-themed song that warns listeners of the inevitability of death and the need to "set your business right" before the arrival of the "little black train." The lyrics convey a sense of urgency, as death could arrive "tonight." The song references biblical figures, such as Hezekiah, who was given a message from God to "set [his] house in order" before his impending death but was later spared for fifteen more years after turning to God in weeping. The song also tells the story of a young man who, upon hearing the whistle of the train, begs for mercy and asks God to "come and set [him] right" before his untimely demise.
The theme of death and salvation is a common one in old-time and folk music, and "Little Black Train" is an excellent example of this genre. It inspires listeners to consider their own mortality and encourages them to seek forgiveness before it is too late. The message is clear: prepare for the end, for it could arrive at any moment.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a little black train a coming
Death is approaching
Set your business right
Prepare yourself for the end, make amends with others
And it may be here tonight
Death can come at any time
Go tell that ballroom lady
Warn people who are blinded by worldly desires
All dressed in the worldly pride
Obsessed with material goods and status
That death's dark train is coming
Death is approaching
Prepare to take a ride
Prepare for judgement
God said to Hezikah
God sent a message to Hezikah
A message from on high
A message from Heaven
You better set your house in order
Prepare yourself for death
For you must surely die
Death is inevitable
He turned to the wall in weeping
He cried in despair
We see him here in tears
He is overcome with sorrow
He got his business fixed all right
He made amends with others
God spared him fifteen years
God gave him a second chance at life
We see that train with engine
The train represents death
And one small baggage car
Carrying the baggage of one's sins
Your idle thoughts and wicked deeds
Sins and immoral actions
Will stop at the judgement bar
Will be judged by God
That poor young man in darkness
A young man who was unaware of the consequences of his actions
Cared not for the gospel light
Ignored the teachings of the Bible
'Til suddenly he heard the whistle blow
Only realized the gravity of his situation when it was too late
On the little black train, and sighed
Realized death is approaching
"Have mercy on me, Lord
Asking God for forgiveness
Please come and set me right"
Repenting for sins and seeking God's guidance
Before he got his business fixed
Before he made amends with others
The train rolled in that night
Death arrived suddenly
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chupacabra
I’m so glad Over The Garden Wall introduced me to folk songs like this
Blues
Same
63DW89A
Powerful message. Holds true for atheist, agnostic or believer. Death arrives for all.
Powerful message, crystal clear delivery with simple superb musicianship. A Carter Family trademark and music does not get any better than that.
Most modern music against timeless Carter Family classics seems so childish, petty, pointless and dated.
The PinCushionMan
63DW89A so true. Amazing
Leo Horishny
I like this arrangement, but it makes Woody Guthrie's version all the more impressive in how he took this message and turned it into a much more wide ranging warning to many more folks.
glencoe6305
Guess this is where Josh Turner's "Long Black Train", got its inspiration from. An Eternal Message.
moira shoals
glencoe6305 a parable used in many motifs since the invention of trains :)
Patch of Clover
As well as the song in the animated mini series Over the Garden Wall.
Dougie H
Best family music. Stoneman family close 2nd
Niall Donegan
any idea about the guitar chords on this one?