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
When I’m Gone
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my prayers
You're gonna miss me everywhere
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my song
You're gonna miss me all day long
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my ways
You're gonna miss me everyday
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my song
You're gonna miss me all day long
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
The Carter Family's song When I'm Gone is a tribute to the memory of those who have passed on. The lyrics speak of how the singer knows that the people they are leaving behind will miss them and be reminded of them through various things like their walk, talk, prayers, and songs. The tone of the song is somewhat melancholy but also hopeful, as the singer knows that they will live on through the memories of others.
At its core, the song is about the importance of leaving a positive impact on the world and the people around us. It suggests that by living a life full of meaning, we can be sure that we will be missed and remembered long after we're gone. Additionally, it speaks to the human desire for connection and how we all want to feel important and valued, even after we've left this world.
Interestingly, the song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris. It was also featured in the popular movie Pitch Perfect, where it was performed by Anna Kendrick's character, Beca. This helped introduce the song to a new generation of fans who might not have been familiar with the original version.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You will regret not having me around when I am no longer here
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
I am certain that you will feel the loss of my presence when I leave
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You will notice my absence just from the way I moved and carried myself
You're gonna miss me by my talk
My words and the way I communicated will be something you long for once I am gone
You're gonna miss me by my prayers
Even my faith and the way I prayed will be something you will miss once I am gone
You're gonna miss me everywhere
My absence will be felt in many aspects of your life
You're gonna miss me by my song
My music and art will be something you will long for once I am not there to provide it
You're gonna miss me all day long
My presence will be something you miss throughout the entire day
You're gonna miss me by my ways
Even my habits and the small things I did will be something you will miss once I am gone
You're gonna miss me everyday
My absence will be felt each and every day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carterfamilychannel
This channel was created with admiration and to keep The Carter Family music alive! please help me do this for as long as possible, no profit is made from this channel but you are welcome to show your love and support to the channel with any donations, 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, thank you Sara, A.P and Maybelle what you started back in 1927, you have meant so much to so many people and will always continue to, we miss you so much but what you left us will never be forgotten :) this channel will hopefully make more people all over the world now and for generations to come aware of what you did.
@JamesKmosko
Man, their pitch is perfect
@jakewise4469
I see what you did there!
@evanraymond8728
I see what you did ther
@VivaMarie
O.O
@JosephAnterola
And don't ever forget it 😅
@kineticdeath
crushed it
@hayley8715
Imagine how they would feel if they knew their song had been covered still to this day!
@gena6726
My dad was born in 1931 and was diagnosed with alzheimer's. He will love to hear this when I go see him this week.
@UnslumpingwithTarot
How is he doing?