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
Wabash Cannon ball
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to make up all their lost time
From Buffalo to Washington
Catch a train they call the Cannonball
From Buffalo to Washington
My baby's left me, she even took my shoes
Enough to give a man these doggone worried blues
She's gone, she's solid gone
Yonder comes the train, coming down the track
Carry me away but it ain't gonna carry me back
My honey babe, my blue eyed babe
I'm going up north, I'm going up north this fall
If luck don't change, I won't be back at all
My honey babe, I'm leaving you
The Carter Family's "Wabash Cannonball" is a traditional American folk song that describes a journey on a train from Buffalo to Washington. The song is a reflection of the Great Depression-era, when the American people were struggling in the wake of a frayed economy. The "Wabash Cannonball" is a train that is known for its speed and efficiency, and it is seen in the lyrics as a symbol of hope and a way out of the difficulties that people were facing at that time.
In the first verse, the train is described as trying to make up for lost time as it travels down the track from Buffalo to Washington. The next verse seems to be a nod to the idea of rugged individualism and hard work, as the singer declares that his overalls need to be starched and his jumper washed. He suggests that the listener could do these things for him, but he is focused on catching the Cannonball train, which he sees as a way to a better life.
The third verse brings in a melancholy tone to the song, as the singer describes how his lover has left him and taken his shoes, leaving him with "these doggone worried blues." However, the next verse seems to regain some of the upbeat energy of the beginning of the song, as the singer sees the train coming down the track and declares that it won't be carrying him back. The final verse states that the singer is leaving his lover and heading north, but there is a sense of uncertainty as to whether or not he will ever return.
Overall, "Wabash Cannonball" is a song that blends themes of perseverance, hope, and loss, all set against the backdrop of a journey on a train.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, listen to the train coming down the line
The singer is calling attention to the sound of a train approaching them.
Trying to make up all their lost time
The train is in a hurry to make up for delays and arrive on-time.
From Buffalo to Washington
The train is traveling from Buffalo to Washington, D.C.
You can wash my jumper starch my overalls
The artist is asking someone to do their laundry.
Catch a train they call the Cannonball
The artist suggests taking a specific train known as the Cannonball.
From Buffalo to Washington
This line is repeated to emphasize the train's route.
My baby's left me, she even took my shoes
The singer's lover has left them, taking even their shoes with them.
Enough to give a man these doggone worried blues
This has caused the artist to feel sad and anxious.
She's gone, she's solid gone
The artist repeats that their lover has left them, underscoring their loss.
Yonder comes the train, coming down the track
The artist sees the train approaching in the distance.
Carry me away but it ain't gonna carry me back
The singer suggests that the train will take them away, but they won't necessarily return.
My honey babe, my blue eyed babe
The artist is addressing their lover fondly, describing them as their sweet blue-eyed babe.
I'm going up north, I'm going up north this fall
The singer is announcing their intention to travel north soon.
If luck don't change, I won't be back at all
The singer suggests that they may not return if things don't improve or change for the better.
My honey babe, I'm leaving you
The singer tells their lover that they are leaving them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ltcis
The Carter Family recordings are truly a national treasure. It doesn't get any more American than this! They have never received their fair share of recognition.
Albert Andrews
How can you say that? In most circles the Carter family is legendary.
Rainbow Kittenz
Words cannot describe how much I love this rendition of Wabash Cannonball.
stan proctor
Call it country, call it folk, call it hillbilly, or call it Appalachian; this is some of the true roots of American music...
Ken George
They, as do few others, sing to our hearts.
Robert Fiorio
it is Bluegrass...
Joseph Wahome
Its gold
ihatedinonuggets
@Robert Fiorio this predates bluegrass
Matthew Govig
Robert Fiorio bluegrass didn’t come around till the 1940s and 50s the Carter family started recording in 1927 and they influenced what eventually became bluegrass
EmeraldCity
Imagine a long time ago. Living off the land, working in the fields. All you have to look forward to is a little music on your old Motorola radio. Then imagine all your family listening to the famous Carter family. It was a long time ago, and it was pure music. Picking and a strumming and singing songs of a hundred years ago. What a wonderful world.