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 the Springtime Comes Again
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We shall part at the end of the lane
But promise me, little Annie
You will wait for me till springtime comes again
When the sun shines down on the mountain
And the wild sheep are wandering all alone
When the birds and the bees are a-humming
When the springtime comes on the mountain
And the wildflowers scattered o'er the plain
I shall watch for the bees to return to their trees
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again
Yodel-ay-ee, ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-oh-lay-ee
Now springtime is here, little Annie
I am on my way back to the lane
For you promised me, little Annie
You'd be waiting when the springtime comes again
When the springtime comes on the mountain
And the wildflowers scattered o'er the plain
I shall watch for the bees to return to their trees
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again
Yodel-ay-ee, ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-oh-lay-ee
The song "When the Springtime Comes Again" by The Carter Family is a beautiful depiction of a lover's departure and their promise to reunite in the spring. These lyrics are sorrowful yet hopeful, as the persona is forced to leave little Annie once again but is confident in their reunion once warm weather arrives. It is not clear why the persona must leave Annie, whether it be for work or other reasons, but their parting is temporary and they are determined to come back in the spring.
The imagery in the song is quite vivid, painting a picture of a mountainous landscape with wild sheep, buzzing bees, and blooming wildflowers. These elements signify the arrival of spring, a time of renewal and new beginnings. The lines "When the birds and the bees are a-humming/Makes me think that springtime won't be very long" reflect the persona's anticipation and excitement for warmer days to come.
"When the Springtime Comes Again" is a classic example of The Carter Family's trademark country sound, with the use of yodeling and simple guitar accompaniment. The song has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic in country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Once more, little Annie, I must leave you
I need to say goodbye again, little Annie.
We shall part at the end of the lane
We will separate at the lane's termination.
But promise me, little Annie
Make a vow to me, little Annie.
You will wait for me till springtime comes again
You will wait for me until the next spring arrives.
When the sun shines down on the mountain
When the sun's rays beam on the mountain.
And the wild sheep are wandering all alone
The untamed sheep wander by themselves.
When the birds and the bees are a-humming
When the birds and bees emit a humming sound.
Makes me think that springtime won't be very long
This leads me to believe that spring is approaching shortly.
When the springtime comes on the mountain
Once the season of spring numbers the mountain.
And the wildflowers scattered o'er the plain
The native flowers are strewn across the flatland.
I shall watch for the bees to return to their trees
I will keep an eye out for the bees to go back to their trees.
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again
I will be patient and wait for the next spring season.
Now springtime is here, little Annie
Springtime has arisen, little Annie.
I am on my way back to the lane
I am traveling back to the lane right now.
For you promised me, little Annie
Because you pledged to me, little Annie.
You'd be waiting when the springtime comes again
That you would wait for the next spring season.
Yodel-ay-ee, ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
Singing sound.
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-oh-lay-ee
Singing sound.
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GravityAngel
0:20 Once more, little Annie, I must leave you
We shall part at the end of the lane
But promise me, little Annie
You will wait for me till springtime comes again
When the sun shines down on the mountain
And the wild sheep are wandering all alone
When the birds and the bees are a-humming
Makes me think that springtime won't be very long
1:00 When the springtime comes on the mountain
And the wild flowers scattered o'er the plain
I shall watch for the leaves to return to their trees
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again
Yodel-ay-ee, ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-oh-lay-ee
1:50 Now springtime is here, little Annie
I am on my way back to the lane
For you promised me, little Annie
You'd be waiting when the springtime comes again
2:10 When the springtime comes on the mountain
And the wild flowers scattered o'er the plain
I shall watch for the leaves to return to their trees
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again
Yodel-ay-ee, ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee-hee-oh-lay-ee
Parick James
Thanks WNCW