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
Where We'll Never Grow Old
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
Built for Jesus on high, there we never shall die
'Tis a land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In that beautiful home, where we'll nevermore roam
We shall be in the sweet by and by
Happy praise to the king, through eternity sing
Is a land where we never shall die
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
When our work here is done, and the life's crown is won
And our troubles and trials are o'er
All our sorrow will end, and our voices will blend
With the loved ones who've gone on before
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, (where we'll) never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
The Carter Family's song "Where We'll Never Grow Old" is a hymn-like composition that speaks about a land far away, a beautiful home of the soul, that was built for Jesus on high where the listeners will never grow old. The song speaks about the certainty of death, but it gives hope to people by making them believe that there is more to life than what they see here on earth. The land represents a place where believers will find peace and happiness, and it's a reminder that this world is just a temporary place, and that there's more to come.
The song is also significant in that it inspires believers and gives them hope during difficult times. It's a song of comfort that helps people deal with adversity, trials, and troubles because it reminds them that there is a more excellent place waiting for them when their work here is done. It's a song about faith, hope, and love, and it encourages people to live a life of service and devotion to their creator.
Line by Line Meaning
I have heard of a land, on the faraway strand
I have heard of a land far away that is not familiar to me.
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
It is a beautiful home for our souls.
Built for Jesus on high, there we never shall die
The home was built for Jesus and we will never die there.
'Tis a land where we'll never grow old
It is a land where we will never age.
In that beautiful home, where we'll nevermore roam
In that beautiful home, we will never have to wander anymore.
We shall be in the sweet by and by
We will be in a sweet and good place.
Happy praise to the king, through eternity sing
We will happily praise the king forever.
Is a land where we never shall die
It is a land where we will never die.
When our work here is done, and the life's crown is won
When our work in this life is done and we have been successful,
And our troubles and trials are o'er
Our troubles and trials will be over.
All our sorrow will end, and our voices will blend
All of our sorrow will go away, and our voices will join together.
With the loved ones who've gone on before
We will join our loved ones who have passed away before us.
'Tis a land where we'll never grow old
It is a land where we will never age.
Contributed by Brody A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jody Whelan
I'm listening again and again.
I'm 36 yrs and from Ireland, it's Celtic music , The Carter Family are a timeless genius, we won't ever see again.
Austin
I realize as a young man that my number one goal in life is to become a whole person capable of living a life pleasing to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through trials and troubles, hurt's heartaches and hangups, no matter the amount of sorrow or affliction this life on earth throws at me I will remain a soldier of the Cross until the end of my life. Praise and Glory be to God on high forever and ever. Amen.
Neo M
Rejoice ! For the Lord Jesus comes soon
Jessica Pegorch
He's the only thing that keeps me out of killing myself every single day ! I love Jesus so very much also .
karen caudill
Austin I second that, amen
Tom Frost
The greatness of the carter family was that their music was so pure. Pure thoughts in the lyrics. No fuzz boxes and other artificial stuff as in what we call music today. Music just as pure as a mountain stream. Just home grown talent mostly self taught.
Tom Frost
@Lone Desert Ranger Good for you keep it up, go for it and the best of luck with your instrument!
Lone Desert Ranger
They're the main reason I built a cigar box banjo out of a old cigar box, old worn board for the bridge, bolts for bridge threads, and door hinges and used an old electric guitar for strings. Been mostly self teaching myself and using these guys as inspiration. They just have those simple to follow nice rhythmic ding ding dongs.
63DW89A
The Carter Family is a simple box in plain brown wrapping paper that is full of endless little gifts of "lessons in life" that never stop. You'll get a new gift with every listen. Most commercial music of any genre is in a gorgeous box that is totally empty when opened.
Neo M
Quite a metaphor 👏