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
Lulu Wall
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-sittin' by the fountain all alone
I lifted up my hat and then began to chat
She said she'd 'low me to see her at her home
Such a star I've never seen
She's as pretty as a queen
She's as perfect as an angel from above
I'd live happy all my life
With that aggravating beauty Lula Walls
If she was only mine, I would build a house so fine
And around it so many fences tall
It would make me jealous free that no one else but me
Could gaze upon that beauty Lula Walls
Such a star I've never seen
She's as pretty as a queen
She's as perfect as an angel from above
If she'd only be my wife
I'd live happy all my life
With that aggravating beauty Lula Walls
One evening getting late I met her at the gate
I asked her if she'd wed me in the fall
She only turned away and nothing would she say
That aggravating beauty Lula Walls
Such a star I've never seen
She's as pretty as a queen
She's as perfect as an angel from above
If she'd only be my wife
I'd live happy all my life
With that aggravating beauty Lula Walls
The Carter Family's song "Lulu Wall" describes a man's infatuation and admiration with a woman whom he met at the park. He describes her beauty as something he's never seen before, claiming she's as pretty as a queen and perfect as an angel. He even goes as far to say that if she were to agree to be his wife, he'd build a house with tall fences around it so no one else could gaze upon her beauty. The song ends with the man asking Lulu to wed him in the fall, but she doesn't respond.
This song is about unrequited love and the one-sided infatuation that often comes with it. The man is so enamored with Lulu that he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep her to himself, even if it means building a house with tall fences around it. However, Lulu either doesn't feel the same or isn't ready to marry, as she doesn't respond to his proposal.
In the end, the song leaves us with a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, highlighting the pain that can come with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
One evening getting dark we first met at the park
It was dusk when we initially encountered at the park
A-sittin' by the fountain all alone
She was seated by herself next to the fountain
I lifted up my hat and then began to chat
I greeted her and started a conversation
She said she'd 'low me to see her at her home
She agreed to allow me to visit her at her house
Such a star I've never seen
I have never seen someone as radiant as her
She's as pretty as a queen
She has the beauty and grace of a queen
She's as perfect as an angel from above
Her exquisite nature resembles that of a heavenly angel
If she'd only be my wife
If only she would marry me
I'd live happy all my life
I would have a joyful life forever
With that aggravating beauty Lula Walls
Referring to her beautiful appearance and charming personality
If she was only mine, I would build a house so fine
If she belonged to me, I would build a magnificent residence
And around it so many fences tall
I would surround it with numerous high fences
It would make me jealous free that no one else but me
I would have no reason to be envious since no one else could admire her besides me
Could gaze upon that beauty Lula Walls
I would be the only one permitted to observe that exquisite sight
One evening getting late I met her at the gate
On a different evening, I arrived late to meet her at the entryway
I asked her if she'd wed me in the fall
I proposed marriage to her during autumn
She only turned away and nothing would she say
She gave me no answer and instead turned away
That aggravating beauty Lula Walls
Beautiful Lula Walls who causes me frustration because she did not accept my proposal
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@garyrector7394
I'm grateful to all the people who have put this and other songs from this period--especially the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs--well, the list could go on. When I was a little kid in the late '40s and early '50s, I used to go up in the attic at my maternial grandparents' place in Kentucky and crank up the old "talkin' machine" and memorize these songs. (it was a Victrola, with the picture of the dog listening to "His Master's Voice" that my grandpa had ordered from the Sears and Roebuck catalog years before). What a joyful pleasure is to hear these old numbers again.
@noahyorkmusic
Gary Rector Great memories!
@Bastard-of-Ming
This song, "Lula Walls", was also published again on the Encarta Encyclopedia 1995 CD, where I discovered it as a kid in the late 1990s. It's been part of me ever since.
@Shereesw
"In the light of perfect beauty, tears are the only answer." Purely wonderful music that will last for generations!
@Jane-st3ed
This great song and another favorite "Rosewood Casket" were the first songs I learned to play on the guitar in 1961. I agree canadainduster that the line "With that aggravating beauty Lula Walls" is so compelling. It is what first attracted me to this song.
@canadainduster
An Aggravating beauty...love that line
@inesettel9845
It's a beautiful Song!😊🙈❤
@philallard986
canadainduster3 years agoAn Aggravating beauty...love that line
@jackcasey7037
“That aggravating beauty Lula Walls” love that line!
@manabozho
Whatever the label says, it sure sounds like they're singing "Lula," vs "Lulu." If you try to sing it "Lulu," the accents on both syllables of "lu-lu" fight the 2-4 strong beats of the song. But, maybe I just think that because I'm a gee-tar playing English major.