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
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay me down to rest
In some flowery bound retreat
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
Perhaps you'll plant a flower
On my poor unworthy grave
Come and sit along beside me
When the roses nod and wave
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
One sweet thought my soul shall cherish
When this fleeting life has flown
This sweet thought will cheer when dying
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
When these lips shall never more
Press a kiss upon thy brow
But lie cold and still in death
Will you love me then as now?
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
The Carter Family's Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone speaks of the inevitability of death and the hope that love and remembrance will remain after the singer has passed away. The song expresses the desire for the listener to visit the singer's resting place and think back on their shared memories. The lyrics encourage the listener to continue loving the singer even after death and to remember them fondly.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song by acknowledging the reality of death and the singer's acceptance of the fact that they will one day die. The second verse specifically asks the listener to visit the singer's burial site and plant a flower on their grave, a symbol of love and remembrance. The third verse offers a glimmer of hope by suggesting that the listener will keep the singer's memory alive after they have died. The final verse asks if the listener will continue to love and miss the singer after they have died.
Overall, the song captures the bittersweet reality of human life and the desire for our loved ones to remember us when we are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
When death shall close these eye lids
When my eyes close in death
And this heart shall cease to beat
And my heart stops beating
And they lay me down to rest
And they bury me
In some flowery bound retreat
In a peaceful and beautiful place
Will you miss me?
Will you feel my absence?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
(When I am no longer here)
Perhaps you'll plant a flower
Maybe you'll put a flower
On my poor unworthy grave
On my grave where I lay undeserving
Come and sit along beside me
Come and sit next to me
When the roses nod and wave
When the roses sway and nod
One sweet thought my soul shall cherish
One memory I will hold dear
When this fleeting life has flown
When this short life is over
This sweet thought will cheer when dying
This memory will bring me joy as I die
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
Will my absence make you miss me?
When these lips shall never more
When my lips will never again
Press a kiss upon thy brow
Kiss your forehead
But lie cold and still in death
But be cold and lifeless in death
Will you love me then as now?
Will you still love me just as much?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: A.P. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Biostratigraphy
When death shall close these eye lids
And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay me down to rest
In some flowery bound retreat
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
Perhaps you'll plant a flower
On my poor unworthy grave
Come and sit along beside me
When the roses nod and wave
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
One sweet thought my soul shall cherish
When this fleeting life has flown
This sweet thought will cheer when dying
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
When these lips shall never more
Press a kiss upon thy brow
But lie cold and still in death
Will you love me then as now?
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
itello93
When death shall close these eye lids
And this heart shall cease to beat
And they lay me down to rest
In some flowery bound retreat
[Chorus]
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me?
(Miss me when I'm gone)
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
[Verse 2]
Perhaps you'll plant a flower
On my poor unworthy grave
Come and sit along beside me
When the roses nod and wave
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
One sweet thought my soul shall cherish
When this fleeting life has flown
This sweet thought will cheer when dying
Will you miss me when I'm gone?
When these lips shall never more
Press a kiss upon thy brow
But lie cold and still in death
Will you love me then as now?
Bobby McGuyer
I never considered this as "country" music, but, rather true quality mountain folk music.
Appalachian Ambrosia
It is the roots of country music. The Carter Family made some of the very first recordings in 1927 in Bristol, VA which later was considered the start of country music. Check out: https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/
Marvin Dockery
some of us old north carolina people call this sacred music
LeThayle
I agree, although country & folk are very similar.
Ibn Khairuddeen (ابن خير الدين الألباني)
Being a foreigner...I'm sad that not much of "American folk music" exists.
Rowan Nixon
I know, right?
Roland Mccallum
Been listening to them for years, my mom turning 91 still her favorite music
Joe Palooka
The greatness of the Carters lies in their establishing a standard of musical excellence that serves as a role model for all singers and songwriters who've followed in their path. They were truly wonderful and outstanding people and musicians.
drtee51
Yes. And they came at a time when the Grand Ole Opry was there to help them spread their style, so other singers could pick up on it.
David Ras | RaskinBlog
this piece is litterally so beautiful and gets me everytime. one of my favorites