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
Storms Are On The Ocean The
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going away for a while
But I'll return to see you sometime
If I go ten thousand miles
The storms are on the ocean
The heavens may cease to be
This world may lose its motion love
Oh who will dress your pretty little feet
And who will glove your hand
Oh who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
When I'm in a foreign land
Papa will dress my pretty little feet
And Mama will glove my hand
You may kiss my rosy red cheeks
When you return again
Have you seen those mournful doves
Flying from pine to pine
A-mournin' for their own true love
Just like I mourn for mine
I'll never go back on the ocean love
I'll never go back on the sea
I'll never go back on my blue-eyed girl
'Til she goes back to me
The Carter Family's song "Storms Are On The Ocean" is a traditional folk song about love that endures separation and the hardships of the ocean. The song is sung by a person who loves someone dearly but has to leave for a while. The singer promises to return even if they have to travel ten thousand miles to see their loved one again. However, the singer also makes it clear that their love will not be proofed false even if the storms are on the ocean, and the world loses its motion. The singer shows concern for the state of their love and promises to keep it as intact as possible despite the distance.
The second verse of the song is a question-answer dialogue between the singer and their loved one. The singer is concerned about leaving their loved one alone and wants to know who will take care of their needs in their absence. But their loved one is confident that their parents will take care of them and that the singer can kiss their cheeks when they return. The third verse of the song likens the singer to a mournful dove that is flying from pine to pine looking for its true love. The singer expresses the same melancholy in their separation and highlights the similarity.
Overall, "Storms Are On The Ocean" is a poignant song that showcases the depth of human emotions and the fortitude of love in separation. The lyrics express the fear, doubts, and apprehension that come with distance while maintaining the hope that the love will remain as strong as ever.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going away to leave you love
I am leaving you, my beloved
I'm going away for a while
I will be gone for some time
But I'll return to see you sometime
I promise to return and see you again
If I go ten thousand miles
No matter how far I have to travel
The storms are on the ocean
There are challenges and hardships ahead
The heavens may cease to be
Things may seem impossible
This world may lose its motion love
Everything may change
If I prove false to thee
If I betray your trust
Oh who will dress your pretty little feet
Who will take care of you?
And who will glove your hand
Who will protect you?
Oh who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
Who will give you affection?
When I'm in a foreign land
When I am far away
Papa will dress my pretty little feet
My father will take care of me
And Mama will glove my hand
My mother will protect me
You may kiss my rosy red cheeks
You will be able to give me affection
When you return again
When you come back to me
Have you seen those mournful doves
Have you seen those sad birds?
Flying from pine to pine
Moving from one place to another
A-mournin' for their own true love
Grieving for their loved ones
Just like I mourn for mine
Just like I miss you
I'll never go back on the ocean love
I won't travel again
I'll never go back on the sea
I won't travel by sea again
I'll never go back on my blue-eyed girl
I won't leave you again
Til she goes back to me
Until you come back to me
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK SPOELSTRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robinjohnson1485
My Grandma loved this music. Of course she was from West Virginia. RIP everyone.
@cheesydizzle2865
The Carter Family is from Virginia
@birkinsornberger263
@@cheesydizzle2865 That was their point in adding that to their comment.
@javiermonteagudosoriano7329
Y las voces de las Carter son las mejores que ha dado todo este amplísimo género musical
@Pickinbuddy
I've loved the Carter Family from the first moment I heard them in the mid 60s...
@javiermonteagudosoriano7329
Clásico tema excelente picking de Maybelline y voz de Sara Carter
@hazensweeney5633
Listen to Maybelle's great guitar !
@direfranchement
Interesting re-recording! Their first recording of this song from 1927 featured Sarah leading in an unnaturally high pitch. Sounds much better with her normal voice here.
@FuzzyDancingBear
I like the weirdness of that ultra high pitch
@SirCoughsalot
I disagree with Tea and Muffins that the pitch on the original recording was "unnaturally" high, but like most of the Carters' early recordings, Sara did sing at the top of her vocal range. I think both vocals are pretty good - this one is definitely mellower but lacks a little of the "oomph" of the early one. I like the trio vocal arrangement on this one better than the duet on the original, and Maybelle's guitar is a lot more audible.