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
My Texas Girl
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I ever cared to do was ride my pony on
I never had no heartache was always happy and gay
Until I met a Texas girl who stole my heart away
Where the sleepy Rio Grande goes slowly to the sea
It was there she promised to be mine throughout eternity
But the angels they grew jealous of her beauty and her smile
The birds have hushed their singing sadness is over the land
The birds miss my darling by the sleepy Rio Grande
Her lips were like the Russian wine her hair it hung in curls
Her cheeks were like the dawn of day that breaks upon the world
She's gone and left me lonely I miss the touch of her hand
Tonight while I am walking by the sleepy Rio Grande
The Carter Family’s song “My Texas Girl” tells the story of a man who falls in love with a woman from Texas only to have her taken away from him. The song begins with the singer questioning if the life he has lived up until this point was wrong, as he never experienced heartache or love until he met a Texas girl who has left an indelible mark on his life. The lyrics describe the setting of the Rio Grande where the singer pledged eternal love to his Texas girl. However, their love is short-lived as the angels took her away from him one stormy night. The song ends with the singer missing his beloved and feeling lonely as he walks by the Rio Grande.
The lyrics are filled with emotive language that poetically describe the love and loss that the singer is experiencing. The imagery of the sleepy Rio Grande is used to evoke a sense of calmness and peacefulness which is then contrasted with the stormy night when the angels took away the Texas girl. The use of the metaphor of the birds hushing their singing signifies the sadness that has descended upon the land, further emphasizing the pain of losing someone dear.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life I've wondered if what I done was wrong
Throughout my life, I've been questioning if my choices were right or wrong.
All I ever cared to do was ride my pony on
I have always been content with just riding my horse around.
I never had no heartache was always happy and gay
I have never experienced any emotional pain and was always joyful.
Until I met a Texas girl who stole my heart away
But my life changed when I fell in love with a Texan girl who captured my heart.
Where the sleepy Rio Grande goes slowly to the sea
The Rio Grande flows peacefully towards the ocean.
It was there she promised to be mine throughout eternity
She promised to be with me forever while we were standing by the Rio Grande.
But the angels they grew jealous of her beauty and her smile
However, the angels became envious of her beauty and bright smile.
And came along one stormy night and stole away my bride
They came in a stormy night and took my bride away from me.
The birds have hushed their singing sadness is over the land
The birds have stopped singing, and sadness looms over the area.
The birds miss my darling by the sleepy Rio Grande
The birds long for my beloved who is no longer with me by the Rio Grande.
Her lips were like the Russian wine her hair it hung in curls
My beloved's lips were like Russian wine, and her hair flowed in curls.
Her cheeks were like the dawn of day that breaks upon the world
Her cheeks were as radiant as the break of dawn upon the world.
She's gone and left me lonely I miss the touch of her hand
She has left me feeling lonely, and I yearn to feel her touch again.
Tonight while I am walking by the sleepy Rio Grande
Tonight while I walk by the Rio Grande, reflecting on my memories with her.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Agora
All my life I've wondered if what I done was wrong
All I ever cared to do was ride my pony on
I never had no heartache was always happy and gay
Until I met a Texas girl who stole my heart away
Where the sleepy Rio Grande goes slowly to the sea
It was there she promised to be mine throughout eternity
But the angels they grew jealous of her beauty and her smile
And came along one stormy night and stole away my bride
The birds have hushed their singing sadness is over the land
The birds miss my darling by the sleepy Rio Grande
Her lips were like the Russian wine her hair it hung in curls
Her cheeks were like the dawn of day that breaks upon the world
She's gone and left me lonely I miss the touch of her hand
Tonight while I am walking by the sleepy Rio Grande
SpaceGhost67
Hushed birds, sadness over the land, brought on wings of Angels, jealous of man. A level of truth told by no other Gospelers.
Keith McLaughlin
I feel blessed to have come across the Carter family. Thanks!
Colin Williams
Love this song. Had it on my phone. Have a great collection of their DVDs
Robert Tomah
Very lovely beautiful classic" Love it
Robert Tomah
So awesome, just luv this old song
Agora
All my life I've wondered if what I done was wrong
All I ever cared to do was ride my pony on
I never had no heartache was always happy and gay
Until I met a Texas girl who stole my heart away
Where the sleepy Rio Grande goes slowly to the sea
It was there she promised to be mine throughout eternity
But the angels they grew jealous of her beauty and her smile
And came along one stormy night and stole away my bride
The birds have hushed their singing sadness is over the land
The birds miss my darling by the sleepy Rio Grande
Her lips were like the Russian wine her hair it hung in curls
Her cheeks were like the dawn of day that breaks upon the world
She's gone and left me lonely I miss the touch of her hand
Tonight while I am walking by the sleepy Rio Grande
Georgina Christodoulou
Thank you for this awesome post. Priceless !!!!
Vernon Coe
Love this song for years I coundn t find it thank you!
Cvskansas
does anyone have the chords to this?
Seriously Syrian
No