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
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One by one, heart by heart
You and I stay together and we never even try
Side by side in a world turned upside down
Our love keeps spinnin' around
And you know it makes me wonder
As a restaurant for their lives
Where did we go right?
At a time when all the world is searchin' for truth
His love for you will even prove
And what we have is what everybody's tryin' to find
Peace of mind in a world turned upside down
Our love keeps spinnin' around
And you know it makes me wonder
As a restaurant for their lives
Where did we go right?
Where did we go right?
So many wrongs, so many lovers
I wish they all could know
What we've found in one another
In a world turned upside down
Our love keep spinnin' around
And you know it makes me wonder
As a restaurant for their lives
Where did we go right?
Where did we go right?
Where did we go right?
The Carter Family's song "Where Did We Go Right?" reflects about the rarity of true love and the strength of a relationship as it endures in a world that's constantly in chaos. The song's lyrics vividly convey the idea that in a world that's constantly falling apart, with people losing faith in real love, and relationships falling apart one by one, the singer realizes the rarity of the long-lasting relationship they have. The lyrics suggest that the relationship didn't need any effort or trying hard, but it came naturally, "You and I stay together, and we never even try."
The song's lyrics skillfully compare the singer's love for one another against the world's uncertainty, where everyone is searching for truth and looking for peace of mind. Against all odds, the couples' love endures and continues to "spin around." The singer muses about what made their relationship work and wonders where they went right.
The song implicitly conveys a message of hope and optimism, stating how rare true love is, but once found, it can weather any storm. The melody of the song is considerably upbeat and joyous, which emphasizes the message. Overall, the song encapsulates the beauty of a genuinely enduring relationship and highlights the rarity and the value of true love in an unpredictable world.
Line by Line Meaning
In a world where everybody's fallin' apart
In this chaotic world where everyone is disintegrating
One by one, heart by heart
Individuals are being destroyed emotionally
You and I stay together and we never even try
Our relationship is effortlessly strong
Side by side in a world turned upside down
We stand together in the midst of upheaval
Our love keeps spinnin' around
Our love endures and prevails
And you know it makes me wonder
I'm curious about why our love is different
As a restaurant for their lives
Since life is so confusing, it's like they're looking for a guide
Where did we go right?
What did we do correctly that others did not?
At a time when all the world is searchin' for truth
In a period when everyone is looking for what is real
His love for you will even prove
Your relationship with God will show what true love is
And what we have is what everybody's tryin' to find
What we possess is what everyone desires
Peace of mind in a world turned upside down
Calmness in the midst of turmoil
So many wrongs, so many lovers
There are so many heartbreaks and mistakes in romantic relationships
I wish they all could know
I hope others can experience what we have
What we've found in one another
The treasures we found within our relationship
In a world turned upside down
Despite the turmoil of life
Our love keep spinnin' around
Our love remains strong
And you know it makes me wonder
I'm curious about why our love is different
As a restaurant for their lives
Since life is so confusing, it's like they're looking for a guide
Where did we go right?
What did we do correctly that others did not?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LOGGINS, DON SCHLITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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 👏