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
Poor Orphan Child
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Full and mamma's dead
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it calls from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it calls from the poor orphan child
Savior lead them by the hand
(Gently lead them by the hand)
Savior lead them by the hand
(Gently lead them by the hand)
Savior lead them by the hand
Till they all reach that glittering strand
They call from mended children mouths
[Unverified] poor little boys and girls
Who once had loved their loving hands
To smooth their golden curls
Who wanted mothers loving hands
To smooth their golden curls
Who wanted mothers loving hands
To smooth their golden curls
But now we see those wandering curls
Hang gallop round their brow
They say to us my pappa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us my pappa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us my pappa's dead
And I've no mother now
Oh, savior every orphan breath
Wherever they may roam
Bless every hand that leaves them
Aid and bless the orphan home
Bless every hand that leaves them
Aid and bless the orphan home
Bless every hand that leaves them
Aid and bless the orphan home
The Carter Family's song "Poor Orphan Child" tells the story of orphaned children who are left with the daunting task of finding someone to care for them. The lyrics express the sad and desperate circumstances of these children who have lost their parents and are left without anyone to look after them. The singer hears a faint voice of death calling; it is the voice of an orphan child who must be clothed and fed. The children call out from their mended mouths, saying that they once had loving hands to smooth their golden curls, which is a poignant reminder of the loving care that they've lost.
The song calls upon the savior to lead the orphaned children gently to the afterlife, where they will be led to a glittering strand. The lyrics also ask the savior to bless every hand that leaves them, and aid in blessing an orphan home. The sadness and bleakness of their lives are expressed through the repetition of the chorus "Savior lead them by the hand, Till they all reach that glittering strand."
Line by Line Meaning
I hear a low faint voice of death call
I hear a faint voice beckoning death.
Full and mamma's dead
Both mother and father have passed away.
And it comes from the poor orphan child
The voice of death is from a poor child who has lost their parent/s.
That must be clothed and fed
The child needs basic necessities such as clothing and food.
And it calls from the poor orphan child
The cry for help is from a poor child who has lost their parent/s.
Savior lead them by the hand
May the Savior guide and protect them.
(Gently lead them by the hand)
May the guidance be gentle.
Till they all reach that glittering strand
May they all reach heaven someday.
They call from mended children mouths
The plea comes from children who have gone through tough times.
[Unverified] poor little boys and girls
Young boys and girls who are in need of help.
Who once had loved their loving hands
Children who used to receive love and attention.
To smooth their golden curls
To love and take care of them.
Who wanted mothers loving hands
The children desire the love and care of their mothers.
But now we see those wandering curls
Now their hair hangs haggardly.
Hang gallop round their brow
Their hair is unkempt and disheveled.
They say to us my pappa's dead
They communicate that their father has passed.
And I've no mother now
They have lost their mother as well.
Oh, savior every orphan breath
The Savior must assist every orphan.
Wherever they may roam
Regardless of where they are in the world.
Bless every hand that leaves them
May those who help the orphans be blessed.
Aid and bless the orphan home
May the orphanages that care for them receive aid and blessings.
Writer(s): A. P. Carter
Contributed by Lincoln B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paradiddleday
I hear a low faint voice that says
Papa and mama's dead
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
See all the many children now
Poor little boys and girls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
But now we see those wandering curls
Hang careless 'round their brow
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
O Savior, every orphan bless
Wherever they may roam
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
Neil Pringle
Those harmonies are incredible. There’s no getting away from how REAL the sound is either. Unbeatable.
paradiddleday
I hear a low faint voice that says
Papa and mama's dead
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
And it comes from the poor orphan child
That must be clothed and fed
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
See all the many children now
Poor little boys and girls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Who want that mother's loving hand
To smooth their golden curls
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
But now we see those wandering curls
Hang careless 'round their brow
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
They say to us, my papa's dead
And I've no mother now
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
O Savior, every orphan bless
Wherever they may roam
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphan's home
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Savior, lead them by the hand (Savior, lead them by the hand, yes, gently lead them by the hand)
Till they all reach that glittering strand
David Ruffin
Beautiful
Teddyb1939
Some of the best music I've heard for years , so lovely, AP Carter just right. great harmonies.
yougooddog
Old man Carter is the olive in this perfect Martini called the Carter Family. What a pleasure it is to listen to this.
LoopingMadman
The AP warble
Matthew Bischoff
They really took it to another level over what Vernon Dalhart was pumping out in the early 20s.
Laboiteatests
+Matthew Bischoff Can you give examples ?
Tan YikWah
Timeless great tune,thanks!
Floobee
one of America's greatest gifts to the world