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
We Will March Through the Streets of the City
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With our loved ones (that's) gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Come, thy fount of every blessing
Do now hark to sing God's praise
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Calls for songs of loudest praise
We will march through the streets of the city
With our loved ones (that's) gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
Hark the voice of Jesus calling
Who will go and work today
Fields are white and harvest is waiting
Who will bear the sheaves away
Yes, we'll march through the streets of the city
With our loved ones gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
The Carter Family's We Will March Through the Streets of the City is a gospel song that speaks of unity, faith and the promise of eternal life. The first verse speaks of marching through the streets of the city with their loved ones that have gone before. It conveys a sense of togetherness even in death, that death is not the end but only a temporary separation before they meet again on the banks of the river - a metaphor of heaven where they will never part again.
The second verse brings in the message of salvation through Jesus, who sought the singer when they were lost and wandering. The lyrics convey that Jesus rescued them from danger and saved them by His blood. This further reinforces the idea of eternal life in the first verse where it speaks of meeting their loved ones that have gone before. The next verse talks about the endless streams of mercy and grace that calls for songs of the loudest praise. It is a reminder of the infinite love of God that never ceases.
The last verse encourages the listener to go forth and work for the Lord, for the fields are white and the harvest is waiting. It speaks of a call to action, to not only believe but to also act upon one's faith.
Line by Line Meaning
We will march through the streets of the city
We will move together, in a group, through the roads of the urban area
With our loved ones (that's) gone before
Accompanied by our dear ones who have passed away earlier
We will sit on the banks of the river
We will rest on the shores of the water body
Where we'll meet to part no more
Where we'll convene and not separate again
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Jesus came to look for me when I was away and lost
Wandering from the fold of God
I was roaming away from the security of God's kingdom
He to rescue me from danger
He came to save me from potential harm
And transported by his blood
And carried away by his selfless sacrifice
Come, thy fount of every blessing
Come, the source of all good fortune
Do now hark to sing God's praise
Listen attentively to sing praises of God's glory
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Endless streams of compassion and kindness
Calls for songs of loudest praise
Deserve songs of the highest level of admiration and recognition
Hark the voice of Jesus calling
Listen intently to the voice of Jesus summoning
Who will go and work today
Who is ready to go and put in work today
Fields are white and harvest is waiting
The fields are ready, and crops await to be harvested
Who will bear the sheaves away
Who will collect and carry the accumulated crops
Yes, we'll march through the streets of the city
Indeed, we will move through the roads of the urban area in large groups
With our loved ones gone before
Accompanied by our dear ones who have passed away earlier
We will sit on the banks of the river
We will rest on the shores of the water body
Where we'll meet to part no more
Where we'll convene and not separate again
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Carter Family Channel
This channel was created to help keep The Carter Family music alive, and share with the world! please help me do this for as long as possible :) and please feel free to help support the channel with a donation, https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=8TNJ64TWNH9M2 any questions you have i am always happy to answer :) as the songs and footage are so old, time is spent to remastered them to the best possible quality.
Trish Peterson
Love this. Thank You for posting.
phononut
We will march through the streets of the city
With our loved ones (that's) gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
And transported by his blood
Come, thy fount of every blessing
Do now hark to sing God's praise
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Calls for songs of loudest praise
We will march through the streets of the city
With our loved ones (that's) gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
Hark the voice of Jesus calling
Who will go and work today
Fields are white and harvest is waiting
Who will bear the sheaves away
Yes, we'll march through the streets of the city
With our loved ones gone before
We will sit on the banks of the river
Where we'll meet to part no more
Gene The Machine
The second line of verse three sounds more like "Tune a heart to sing God's praise"