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 Log Cabin by the Sea
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In that little log cabin by the sea
It is the old, old Bible, more precious now than gold
It's the Bible that my mother gave to me
It's the old precious Bible, blessed Bible
That she read in the cabin by the sea (by the sea)
It's that precious, precious Bible
The Bible that my mother gave to me
How often I have listened to the tempest howl and rage
'Round that little log cabin by the sea
My mother read of Jesus, who walked upon the waves
How Jesus calmed the stormy Galilee
It's the old precious Bible, blessed Bible
That she read in the cabin by the sea (by the sea)
It's that precious, precious Bible
That blessed, blessed Bible
The Bible that my mother gave to me
How often, oh, how often she read that glowing word
With the message from the precious word above
It told of faithful Daniel, who trusted in the Lord
While she led me in the pathway that she trod
It's the old precious Bible, blessed Bible
That she read in the cabin by the sea (by the sea)
It's that precious, precious Bible
That blessed, blessed Bible
The Bible that my mother gave to me
There is no other volume so precious as this book
It tells me how to live and how to die
It tells me of that city, oh, wondrous, wondrous book
And that I'll meet the loved ones bye and bye
It's the old precious Bible, blessed Bible
That she read in the cabin by the sea (by the sea)
It's that precious, precious Bible
That blessed, blessed Bible
The Bible that my mother gave to me
The Carter Family's song Little Log Cabin by the Sea is a beautiful ode to a cherished possession - a Bible that was gifted to the singer by her mother. The lyrics describe how the volume is not only an old, finger-worn book, but more valuable than gold itself. The singer emphasizes the importance of this specific Bible, the one that her mother gave her, over any other book in existence. The imagery of the tempest howling and raging around the cabin by the sea sets a perfect backdrop for the singer's mother to read of Jesus walking upon the waves and calming the stormy Galilee. The song speaks of how this Bible contains a glowing message from above, describing the faithful Daniel and leading the singer in the same path as her mother.
In the final verse, the singer notes that there is no other volume as precious as this book. It has taught her how to live and how to die, and reminds her of a wondrous city she will one day meet her loved ones in. The Bible represents something much more than just a religious text - it is a connection to her past, her family, and her home.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a precious volume all fingerworn and old
In the small log cabin by the sea, there is a treasured, worn-out, and ancient book
In that little log cabin by the sea
The cabin being referred to is located by the sea
It is the old, old Bible, more precious now than gold
The book in question is actually an old, valuable Bible that is worth more than gold
It's the Bible that my mother gave to me
The artist clarifies that the Bible was given to them by their mother
How often I have listened to the tempest howl and rage
Many times, the artist has listened to the stormy weather outside the cabin
'Round that little log cabin by the sea
The cabin described is situated near the sea, and the stormy narrative continues
My mother read of Jesus, who walked upon the waves
During these stormy nights, the singer's mother read Bible stories about Jesus, who famously walked on water
How Jesus calmed the stormy Galilee
The mother would read about how Jesus calmed the stormy waters of Galilee
How often, oh, how often she read that glowing word
The mother read the valuable and radiant Bible frequently
With the message from the precious word above
During these readings, she conveyed the important message from the celestial being, God
It told of faithful Daniel, who trusted in the Lord
One of the stories she would read about was Daniel, a character in the Bible who remained faithful and trusted in God
While she led me in the pathway that she trod
She guided and taught the artist through the same path of faith and trust in God that she followed
There is no other volume so precious as this book
The Bible is regarded as the most valuable and significant book
It tells me how to live and how to die
The Bible teaches not only how to live but also how to approach death
It tells me of that city, oh, wondrous, wondrous book
The Bible tells of a magnificent and astonishing city that is beyond comprehension
And that I'll meet the loved ones bye and bye
The artist believes that they will be reunited with their loved ones in the afterlife, as foretold in the Bible
Contributed by Sebastian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
clayp72
This goes Deep into my soul
Muffs 55mercury
This gives you the feeling of being in the back woods in the 1920s. Very surreal.
Kermit
Old school.
SnoDawg
Ya think ?