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
See That My Grave Is Kept Green
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I am laid away in my grave
When my spirit has gone to heaven above
To him whom my soul will save
Oh, the day will come to you, darling
When no more on earth I'll be seen
There's one little wish, darling, grant me
When from this world I go
Leaving forever the scene
While others are dead, oh, will you then
See that my grave is kept green
Oh, the hour of joy is passing
But, alas, how soon it will fade
Your glances of love are meeting my own
And sunlight will turn to shade
Oh, the day will come to you, darling
When no more on earth I'll be seen
There's one little wish, darling, grant me
See that my grave is kept green
When from this world I go
Leaving forever the scene
While others are dead, oh, will you then
See that my grave is kept green
I shall never be happy again, my love
Never be happy again
For girls in her teens don't know what love means
I shall never be happy again
When from this world I go
Leaving forever the scene
While others are dead, oh, will you then
See that my grave is kept green
"See That My Grave Is Kept Green" by The Carter Family is a poignant song that expresses a person's wish to be remembered even after death. The song begins with the singer addressing their lover and expressing their desire to be remembered once they are dead and gone. The singer then asks their lover to grant them one little wish - to keep their grave green, which means to keep it well-maintained and to ensure that it remains a place of beauty and peace.
The song talks about the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life's joys. The singer acknowledges that the hour of joy is passing and soon will fade away. The reference to sunlight turning to shade signifies the transience of life's happiness. The song also talks about the pain of lost love, with the singer saying that they will never be happy again because girls in their teens don't know what love means.
The overall message of the song is that life is fleeting and that the only thing that can outlast death is memories. The singer wants to be remembered by their lover and wants their final resting place to be kept green as a testament to that love. The song is a reminder that love can transcend even death and that true love lasts beyond a person's physical presence.
Line by Line Meaning
When I am dead and gone from you, darling
When I have passed away from your life, my dear one.
When my spirit has gone to heaven above
When my essence has ascended to the celestial realm.
To him whom my soul will save
To the one who will redeem my soul.
Oh, the day will come to you, darling
Oh, the day will come to you, my dear one.
When no more on earth I'll be seen
When I am no longer present on this earth.
There's one little wish, darling, grant me
There's one small desire, my dear one, please fulfill it for me.
See that my grave is kept green
Make sure that my final resting place is well-maintained and rich with foliage.
When from this world I go
When I depart from this world.
Leaving forever the scene
Departing permanently from this eternal stage.
While others are dead, oh, will you then
While others have ended their journey in this realm, will you then,
But, alas, how soon it will fade
But, unfortunately, it will fade away all too quickly.
Your glances of love are meeting my own
Your loving gazes are meeting my own.
And sunlight will turn to shade
And the sun's rays will transform into darkness.
I shall never be happy again, my love
I will never experience happiness again, my beloved.
For girls in her teens don't know what love means
Because adolescent girls do not understand the true meaning of love.
Contributed by London P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ministerio La Vara de la Roca
Great Americana Country Gospel