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
The Mountains of Tennessee
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me back where my heart longs to be
Where we played by the brook in the cool, shady nook
In the mountains of Tennessee
In my old mountain home where the wild roses bloom
Is a spot just like heaven to me
Take me back, take me back to my old mountain home
Take me back, take me back to my old mountain home
Take me back to my old mother's knee
Where the stars shine bright and the birds sing free
In the mountains of Tennessee
'Round my old mountain home where I used to roam
They're waiting a welcome for me
Take me back to my old log cabin home
In the mountains of Tennessee
The Carter Family's song The Mountains of Tennessee is a nostalgic and sentimental piece that reflects on the singer's childhood memories in their old mountain home in Tennessee. The lyrics express a longing to return to that place where the heart feels at home and to relive those moments of playing by the brook in a cool, shady nook where one can feel a sense of peace and contentment. The imagery of the wild roses blooming and the stars shining bright, as well as the birds singing free, conveys a sense of beauty and naturalness that is associated with the Appalachian region. The song also mentions the singer's mother and the warm welcome awaiting them at their old log cabin home.
Overall, the song's lyrics reflect a deep love and attachment to one's home, family, and natural surroundings. It also represents a common theme in folk music - longing for a simpler time and a return to a place of comfort and familiarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me back, take me back to my old mountain home
I yearn to return to the place I call home in the mountains
Take me back where my heart longs to be
I desire to go where my soul feels most at ease
Where we played by the brook in the cool, shady nook
We enjoyed ourselves by the stream in a comforting, shaded area
In my old mountain home where the wild roses bloom
In my abode in the mountains where nature's beauty thrives
Is a spot just like heaven to me
It is a location that brings me immense joy and contentment
Take me back to my old mother's knee
I want to return to the embrace of my mother who provides comfort and love
Where the stars shine bright and the birds sing free
The mountains are a place of natural wonders, where the beauty of the sky and the songs of birds are abundant
‘Round my old mountain home where I used to roam
In the vicinity of my former place of residence where I often wandered
They're waiting a welcome for me
The people who reside in the mountains are eagerly anticipating my arrival
Take me back to my old log cabin home
Bring me back to my humble abode constructed of logs in the mountains
In the mountains of Tennessee
The specific area of my desire to return, the mountains in the state of Tennessee
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mary Bishop
I love this , memories that will never leave !!!
Charles DeWeese
One of my favorite songs!
aron maron
I love this song!
Arkansas Red
Great Carter Family tune. RIP Carters.
Kristopher Bernard
This is one of my favorite cuts from them.
Hazen Sweeney
Maybell's beautiful guitar playing is very evident as usual .
Jeffrey Owens
I think about how true this song reminds me of where I'm from, "Tennessee".
Ray
In the mountains of Tennessee
In my old mountain home where the wild roses bloom
Is a spot just like heaven to me
aron maron
very nice!!!!!!!!!!
Hazen Sweeney
Maybelle's guitar is very evident here.