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 Cannonball
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She climbs a flowery mountains o'er the hills and by the shore
She's mighty tall and handsome she's known quite well by all
She's a regular combination on the Wabash Cannonball
[Chorus]
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland o'er the hills and by the shore
Traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
Well she came down from Birmingham one cold December day
As she pulled into the station you could hear all the people say
She's from Tennessee she's long and she's tall
She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball
[Chorus]
Here's to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand
And always be remembered in the courts throughout the land
His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall
We'll carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball
[Chorus]
The Carter Family's "Wabash Cannonball" tells the story of a mighty train that travels from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific shore, climbing "flowery mountains o'er the hills and by the shore." The train is described as "mighty tall and handsome," and is known by all as a "regular combination" on the Wabash Cannonball. The song's chorus urges the listener to listen to the jingle, rumble, and roar of the train as it travels through the jungle, glides along the woodland, and hears the hoboes calling.
The second verse tells a story of the train's arrival in Birmingham on a cold December day, with the townspeople marveling at the train's length and height. The final verse pays tribute to a man named Daddy Claxton, whose name will forever stand and be remembered in the courts throughout the land. The song concludes with the promise to carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball.
"Wabash Cannonball" has become a beloved classic in American folk and country music, with countless artists covering the tune. The song's imagery and evocative storytelling have made it a favorite of train enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The lyrics have also been analyzed as a reflection of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of rail travel in America.
Line by Line Meaning
From the great Atlantic ocean to the wide Pacific shore
The train route extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
She climbs a flowery mountains o'er the hills and by the shore
The train travels through mountainous regions with floral sceneries and alongside hills and shorelines.
She's mighty tall and handsome she's known quite well by all
The train is impressive in height and appearance, familiar to everyone who has seen it.
She's a regular combination on the Wabash Cannonball
The train is a standard feature on the Wabash Cannonball route.
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
The sounds of the train are distinct, ranging from a melodious jingle to loud rumbling and roaring.
As she glides along the woodland o'er the hills and by the shore
The train moves effortlessly through dense forests, over hills, and by the shoreline.
Hear the mighty rush of the engine hear those lonesome hoboes call
The sound of the powerful engine and the calls of the lonely hoboes are audible.
Traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball
The train glides through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball route.
Well she came down from Birmingham one cold December day
The train arrived in Birmingham on a chilly December day.
As she pulled into the station you could hear all the people say
Everyone at the station was talking about the train as it pulled in.
She's from Tennessee she's long and she's tall
The train is from Tennessee and is long and tall.
She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball
The train arrived in Birmingham via the Wabash Cannonball route.
Here's to daddy Claxton may his name forever stand
A tribute to daddy Claxton, wishing his name to live on forever.
And always be remembered in the courts throughout the land
He should always be remembered in the courts across the country.
His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall
Daddy Claxton has passed away, and his body is lowered with curtains drawn.
We'll carry him home to Dixie on the Wabash Cannonball
His body will be carried on the Wabash Cannonball train to Dixie.
[Chorus]
Repeating the refrain of the song.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
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.