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 Silver Threads Are Gold Again
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And show the silver in our hair
Sands of time have stolen all the gold
That made your youthful tresses fair
But years can never steal away
A love that never can grow old
What care we for tresses gray
Love, I′ll tell you with a kiss
If heaven gives back the youth we miss
Your face will be no fairer then
When silver threads are gold again
Darling, I can read today
The question in your thoughtful eyes
You wonder if I wish for May
Beneath this frosty Autumn sky
Love of mine, be sure of this
For me, no face could be so fair
Than this one that I stoop to kiss
Beneath its crown of silver hair
The Carter Family's song When Silver Threads Are Gold Again is a poignant reflection on the realities that come with ageing. The lyrics talk about growing old and the physical changes that come with it, such as the silver in their hair that was once youthful tresses. The sands of time may have stolen their youth, but they can never take away the love they have for each other, which will never grow old. The song speaks about how love transcends the physical changes that occur with ageing, and it is the most valuable and lasting treasure that they possess.
The chorus of the song speaks about a kiss that will reveal true love if heaven gives back the youth they miss. They say that the face of their beloved will not be any fairer than what it is today, even when the silver threads turn to gold again. The lyrics are a testament to the beauty of the inner self that does not fade away, even when the outer self has changed with age. The song speaks of the acceptance and love that come with ageing, and the message that love is more important than any physical attribute.
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Dolly Parton, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. When Silver Threads Are Gold Again has become a classic in the folk and country music genres, with its simple yet stunning melody and thoughtful lyrics. The song continues to resonate with listeners of all ages who are drawn to its message of enduring love.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, we are growing old
My beloved, we are aging
And show the silver in our hair
Our hair has turned gray with age
Sands of time have stolen all the gold
The passing of time has taken away our youth and vitality
That made your youthful tresses fair
The beauty and radiance of your hair in younger years
But years can never steal away
However, the love we share cannot be taken away by time
A love that never can grow old
Our love is eternal and will never fade
What care we for tresses gray
We do not concern ourselves with the color of our hair
Since love will always keep its gold
Because love will always retain its value and significance
Love, I'll tell you with a kiss
I will express my love with an affectionate gesture
If heaven gives back the youth we miss
If we could regain our youth and vigor
Your face will be no fairer then
Your appearance in youth will not be more beautiful than it is now
When silver threads are gold again
If we could regain our youth, then the gray hair will once again shine like gold
Darling, I can read today
My love, I can sense today
The question in your thoughtful eyes
That you are wondering about something deeply
You wonder if I wish for May
If you are curious about my desire for youth and springtime
Beneath this frosty Autumn sky
During this cold and aging time of year
Love of mine, be sure of this
My dearest, please trust me when I say
For me, no face could be so fair
That no other face compares to yours in beauty
Than this one that I stoop to kiss
The face I am about to kiss, with its crown of silver hair
Beneath its crown of silver hair
Underneath the gray hair that has replaced the golden locks of youth
Writer(s): A.p. Carter, Maybelle Carter, Sara Carter
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Carter Family Channel
This channel was created with admiration and to help keep The Carter Family music alive, and share with the world! 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 :)
yaakov
Thank you for putting this channel up! I love hearing these songs. They were extremely good.
The Carter Family Channel
Thank you 😊
John Carter Music
A new one to me. Beautiful as always with the carter family.
Linda Mills
Just beautiful xx