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
On a Hill Lone and Gray
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a country beyond the blue sea
Where beneath that far sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
Oh, it bows down my heart and the teardrops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
Hark, I hear the dull blow of the hammer swung low
They are nailing my Lord to the tree
With the cross he upraised while the multitude gazed
He ascended that hill lone and gray
Oh, it bows down my heart and the teardrops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
To redeem a poor sinner like me
Shout aloud then, my soul, let the glad tidings roll
From the land to the end of the sea (of the sea)
Where beneath that dark sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
The Carter Family's song "On a Hill Lone and Gray" is a poignant reflection on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The opening lines evoke a sense of distance and detachment, as the hill described is located in a far-off country beyond the blue sea. The song speaks to the universal nature of Christ's sacrifice, which transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
The second verse describes the heart-wrenching image of Jesus being nailed to the cross, with the hammer blows ringing out like a death knell. The chorus, repeated twice throughout the song, conveys the deep emotional impact that this scene has on the singer ("it bows down my heart and the teardrops do start"). The repetition of this line reinforces the idea that Christ's sacrifice is a personal and transformative experience for all who reflect on it.
Line by Line Meaning
On a hill lone and gray in a land far away
In an isolated and desolate location stood a hill that was devoid of life, color, and vibrancy. This place was situated in a distant land, a country far beyond the blue sea.
Where beneath that far sky went a man forth to die
Under the seemingly endless and distant sky, a man walked towards the hill, knowing that it was his final destination. He was heading towards the place where he would breathe his last breath, and everything would come to an end.
For the world and for you and for me
The man who walked on that hill did not do so for his own sake. He did it for the world, for every individual who has ever lived, and for every individual who would come after him. He did it for each one of us.
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
It was on that very hill where Jesus Christ, the son of God, suffered excruciating pain and anguish. He bore the brunt of the world's sins on his shoulders, and it cost him his life. He died on that hill, alone and abandoned.
To redeem a poor sinner like me
Despite knowing that he would be betrayed, arrested, and ultimately crucified, Jesus still went to that hill to save us. His death was not in vain; it served as a means of redemption for all sinners, including myself.
They are nailing my Lord to the tree
As Jesus lay on the cross, his hands and feet were nailed to the wood. He cried out in agony as the spikes went through his skin and bone. The world watched in horror as the son of God was tortured and humiliated in such a cruel and gruesome manner.
With the cross he upraised while the multitude gazed
Despite the pain and suffering that he endured, Jesus did not waver in his faith or his message. He lifted the cross with strength and conviction, looking out at the crowd of onlookers with a sense of calm and dignity. He remained a beacon of hope and love until his last breath.
Shout aloud then, my soul, let the glad tidings roll
We should not mourn or despair when we think of that hill, for it was a place of great sacrifice and love. Instead, we should celebrate the good news that Jesus died for us and rose again. We should shout and sing with joy, spreading the word of his message to all corners of the earth.
From the land to the end of the sea
The message of Jesus is not confined to any one place or people. It is meant for all of humanity, no matter where they live or what language they speak. The message of the cross spans across all borders and boundaries.
Where beneath that dark sky went a man forth to die
Even though the sky may have been dark and dreary on that day, nothing could stop Jesus from walking towards his death. He went willingly to the hill, knowing that his sacrifice would change the course of history forever.
Contributed by Annabelle S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GravityAngel
0:23 On a hill lone and gray in a land far away
In a country beyond the blue sea
Where beneath that far sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
0:45 Oh, it bows down my heart and the tear-drops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
To redeem a poor sinner like me
1:26 Hark, I hear the dull blow of the hammer swung low
They are nailing my Lord to the tree
With the cross he upraised while the multitude gazed
He ascended that hill lone and gray
1:47 Oh, it bows down my heart and the tear-drops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
To redeem a poor sinner like me
2:08 Shout aloud then, my soul, let the glad tidings roll
From the land to the end of the sea (of the sea)
Where beneath that dark sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
Paul Knapp
I L❤💙VE THERE RECORDS I
L❤💙VE THE 20'S & 30'S OLD
COUNTRY RELIGION IT WAS WAY
BEFORE MY TIME BUT I JUST
L❤💙VE I GO TO A CHURCH UP
THE ROAD IT WAS BUILD IN 1902
& I L❤💙VE THAT CHURCH VERY
MUCH THE CARTER FAMILY IS MY
ALL TIME favorite all-time country religion
GravityAngel
0:23 On a hill lone and gray in a land far away
In a country beyond the blue sea
Where beneath that far sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
0:45 Oh, it bows down my heart and the tear-drops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
To redeem a poor sinner like me
1:26 Hark, I hear the dull blow of the hammer swung low
They are nailing my Lord to the tree
With the cross he upraised while the multitude gazed
He ascended that hill lone and gray
1:47 Oh, it bows down my heart and the tear-drops do start
When in memory that great hill I see (hill I see)
It was there on his side, Jesus suffered, yes, he died
To redeem a poor sinner like me
2:08 Shout aloud then, my soul, let the glad tidings roll
From the land to the end of the sea (of the sea)
Where beneath that dark sky went a man forth to die
For the world and for you and for me
coyotesong
It's hard to believe that there's anything in the world that is this good.
Frank Fisher
@MJJ/ Star,music,entertainment/714195829 You moron, Michael Jackson couldn't carry water for the Carter Family, besides he was a pervert !
MJJ/ Star,music,entertainment/714195829
Michael Jackson IS BY FAR THE BEST SINGER EVER!"
Lars Andreasson
Back in the days, the Carters made their whole nation believe. And now they are claiming the world.
MGH
So beautiful when A.P. comes in on the chorus and last verse. Haunting.
Hazen Sweeney
Maybelle really does great on that guitar !
Kentucky Lady
Beautiful. One of my favorites.
Daniel Barron
God bless the Carter family!!
fscofi
This is one of my favorite older Carter songs. It was on a cd I played at lot when i was out in Lincoln county and Texas. Thanks for posting,