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
You Are My Flower
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you mean those words you said
That has made me yours forever
Since the day that we were wed
Tell me, could you live life over
Would you make it otherwise
Are you tired of me, my darling
Do you ever rue the springtime
Since we first each other met
Since we spoke in warm affection
Words my heart can ne'er forget
Tell me, could you live life over
Would you make it otherwise
Are you tired of me, my darling
Answer only with your eyes
Do you think the bloom departed
From these cheeks you once thought fair
Do you think I've grown cold-hearted
With the passing of the years
Tell me, could you live life over
Would you make it otherwise
Are you tired of me, my darling
Answer only with your eyes
The Carter Family's "Are You Tired Of Me My Darlin" is a deeply emotional song that poses several questions about the state of a relationship. Over the years, many people have struggled to interpret the meaning of the lyrics, but it becomes quite clear that the song is about insecurity and uncertainty in a romantic relationship. The singer is asking their significant other if they are still in love with them or if they have grown tired of them. The first two lines of the song, "Are you tired of me, my darling / Did you mean those words you said," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is seeking reassurance from their partner that they still feel the same way they did when they first got married.
The rest of the song contains more questions, all phrased in a way that could be interpreted as somewhat accusatory. For instance, "Do you ever rue the springtime / Since we first each other met" and "Do you think the bloom departed / From these cheeks you once thought fair." These lyrics convey a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability. It's as if the singer is saying, "Are you still attracted to me? Do you still find me beautiful?"
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that even the strongest relationships can be plagued by insecurity and doubt. The singer is searching for reassurance from their partner, desperate to know that the love they share is still strong. In the end, the only answer they are looking for is a simple one - an answer that can only be given with the eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you tired of me, my darling
Do you still love me or has your affection for me faded away?
Did you mean those words you said
Did you truly mean the vows you made to me on our wedding day?
That has made me yours forever
The vows we exchanged on our wedding day have bound us together forever.
Since the day that we were wed
Since the day we got married, we have been inseparable.
Tell me, could you live life over
If given the chance, would you choose a different path in your life?
Would you make it otherwise
Would you change any decision you made in your life?
Answer only with your eyes
You don't have to say it out loud, I can read the truth in your eyes.
Do you ever rue the springtime
Do you ever regret the time when we first met and fell in love?
Since we first each other met
Since the time when we first met each other, our love has grown stronger.
Since we spoke in warm affection
Our love has been expressed through sweet words and gestures.
Words my heart can ne'er forget
The words of love and affection you have spoken to me are deeply ingrained in my heart.
Do you think the bloom departed
Do you think that my beauty has faded away with time?
From these cheeks you once thought fair
Do you think that my cheeks, which you once found attractive, have lost their charm?
Do you think I've grown cold-hearted
Do you think that I have become less loving and affectionate with the passing of time?
With the passing of the years
As time has passed, our love has grown stronger and deeper.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: G.P. COOK, NANCI GRIFFITH, RALPH ROLAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GoldinDr
I love their completely unpretentious harmony. Just plain folks with immense natural musical talent.
@mavjimbo
Doesn't get any better than this
@diannedavis5443
Who’s happier since they listened to this? That 1928 Gibson L-5! Those harmonies!
@mavjimbo
She played the same guitar for decades
@toletaarmstrong4779
Great song. Says so much about perseverance and admiration love and respect.love it.
@trombonist246
This song reminds me of being at my great grandparents house in Oklahoma. It's thanksgiving and I'm running around playing games with the other children, there are flowers in the grass and an old bell is ringing. We're picking pecans from the tree while the dogs are laying together and someone is swinging on the tire swing. Everything is lovely for a while.
@speedyneutrino1729
I remember all those things from my Grandmother's house in Slocomb, Alabama.
@spookyslingshot5866
thats oaky for yah
@williamhutcheson6511
A timeless classic.
@lovecuba2
This was 80 years ago. Different times. Thanks for sharing. Would love to travel back in time a listen to them life.