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
Lord
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh were you there when they crucified my Lord
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Well were you there when the stone was rolled away
Were you there when the stone was rolled away
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when the stone was rolled away
The Carter Family's song "Lord" is a gospel hymn that speaks of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The singer asks the listener if they were there when Jesus was crucified, when he was nailed to the cross, and when he was laid in the tomb. The repetition of the phrase "tremble, tremble, tremble" throughout the song hints at the emotional weight and significance of these events.
The song's structure is simple, with each verse asking if the listener was present at a specific moment in the Easter story, followed by the singer expressing how these events make them feel. The final verse asks if the listener was there when the stone was rolled away, a reference to the resurrection of Jesus. The song ends with the singer once again expressing how these events make them feel, suggesting that the impact of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross still resonates with believers today.
Overall, the song serves as a way to reflect on the impact of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, and to express deep emotion and reverence for these events.
Line by Line Meaning
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Have you ever witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
Oh were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you physically present during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
The thought of Christ's crucifixion is deeply emotional and causes me to shake with fear
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Did you see the moment when Christ was nailed to the cross?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb
Did you witness when Christ was laid in his tomb?
Well were you there when the stone was rolled away
Were you present when the stone was rolled away from Christ’s tomb?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briansmith8730
From the Book of Luke, chapter 24:
"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.
And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee."
I can't think of a more comforting question! "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" This life is only a small fraction of eternity and the same relationships formed here will carry over into eternity. "Til death do us part" is a man-made phrase that has no basis in scripture or reason.
@sevenguardians7517
That mountain music is something in its own
I play the banjo professionally I love it
A lot of people think there isn’t culture in the USA however there is you just have to know where to look
We contributed
Bluegrass
Jazz
Blues
Soul
Funk
Rock
Ragtime
Dixieland
Barbershop
Country
Grunge
Tejano
Gospel
R&B
Emo
Ska
traditional indigenous music from the hundreds of Native American tribes
All of that came from America and just the US down south in Latin America there’s another bucket full of styles of music
@CR-de1pq
I was standing by my window
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I said to that undertaker
Undertaker please drive slow
For this lady you are carrying
Lord, I hate to see her go
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Oh, I followed close behind her
Tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
I went back home Lord, my home was lonesome
Missed my mother, she was gone
All of my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky
@jimmygu3
I love the way they jump a beat on “by and by” and “in the sky”. That nuance has been lost in modern versions.
@ambientpizzavstheworld883
Yea it’s right there, bam!
@tomlawhon6515
I heard that jump all the time in church signing growing up, especially when I lived in Appalachia between the ages of 8 and 13.
@shirleys765
@Danielle Kruse sad to hear this. I thought of all places, Tennessee would still recognize this..
@johnwinstondarby
Others will hear and follow the older way
@JesseBlueEads
It’s extraordinary how little folks today understand the nuance of this music. The academic world of music gets so obsessed with exploring “out” that it misses beauties that are already in.
@ryant282a
As an only child who recently lost his beloved mother and absolute best friend in my life, this beautiful song has really hit hard for me. I wept during the entire song.
@brrrrr256
I'd like to say that it gets better, but it doesn't.
@briansmith8730
From the Book of Luke, chapter 24:
"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.
And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee."
I can't think of a more comforting question! "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" This life is only a small fraction of eternity and the same relationships formed here will carry over into eternity. "Til death do us part" is a man-made phrase that has no basis in scripture or reason.
@beastbee0118
@Brain Dead damn