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 Better Let That Liar Alone
The Carter Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's always coming with something new
He'll steal your heart with false pretense
Making out like he's your bosom friend
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
When a liar takes the notion to bend the truth
He'll lay around his neighbors and get the news
And nearly every day when you look out
You can see that liar coming to your house
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
Better let that liar alone
He'll tell you such a lie, it'll surprise your mind
He'll mix a little truth for to make it shine
When he gets his business fixed just right
Then that liar's going to cause a fight
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
Better let that liar alone
He studies up a lie, he'll tell it so smooth
You'll think absolutely that it must be true
And he'll urge you out for to trace the tale
And if you don't mind, you'll be put in jail
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
Better let that liar alone
When everything's in perfect peace
Then comes that liar with his deceit
A hypocrite liar both keeps up a fuss
They're both very bad but a liar's the worse
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
If you don't want to get in trouble
Better let that liar alone
The Carter Family's song "You Better Let That Liar Alone" warns against the dangers of dealing with a liar. The song starts by describing how a liar can steal your heart with false pretenses and make it seem like they are your friend. However, the verses suggest that liars cannot be trusted as they are always coming up with something new to cover up their lies. They also tend to bend the truth and spread rumors.
The song further emphasizes that dealing with a liar can cause trouble and even land you in jail. For this reason, the chorus repeatedly urges the listener to "let that liar alone" if they want to avoid these dangers. The song ends by stating that liars are worse than hypocrites as they can disturb even the most peaceful situations with their deceitful ways.
Overall, the song serves not only as a warning to avoid liars but also as a commentary on the damaging effects of dishonesty in society. It underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in our dealings with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Just let me tell you how a liar will do
Allow me to explain the ways in which a liar operates
He's always coming with something new
A liar always has a new story to tell
He'll steal your heart with false pretense
A liar will win your trust through deceitful means
Making out like he's your bosom friend
A liar will act as if he is your closest ally
If you don't want to get in trouble
To avoid danger and harm
Better let that liar alone
Stay away from the liar
When a liar takes the notion to bend the truth
When a liar decides to distort reality
He'll lay around his neighbors and get the news
A liar will gossip and listen in on others' conversations for material
And nearly every day when you look out
It's highly likely that you'll see the liar coming your way
You can see that liar coming to your house
The liar will make frequent visits, likely with malicious intent
He'll tell you such a lie, it'll surprise your mind
The liar will spin a yarn so astonishing, it will shock your senses
He'll mix a little truth for to make it shine
The liar will add a grain of truth to make his lies seem more plausible
When he gets his business fixed just right
When a liar has all the pieces in place for his deception
Then that liar's going to cause a fight
The liar's actions will lead to a violent confrontation
He studies up a lie, he'll tell it so smooth
The liar puts much effort into crafting a convincing lie
You'll think absolutely that it must be true
His lie will be so convincing, you will believe it without question
And he'll urge you out for to trace the tale
The liar will encourage you to verify his story, leading you down a rabbit hole
And if you don't mind, you'll be put in jail
If you're not careful, you'll be punished for the lies you unwittingly spread
When everything's in perfect peace
When there is calm and tranquility
Then comes that liar with his deceit
The liar will disrupt the peace with his dishonesty
A hypocrite liar both keeps up a fuss
A liar who also pretends to be pious or righteous creates even more trouble
They're both very bad but a liar's the worse
Both hypocrisy and lying are bad, but lying is worse
Contributed by Austin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kimmie Sue Oliver
Their Family was such a Blessing
Jen Exx
thank you for uploading this! so old and yet so relevant to life today. love it!
Hazen Sweeney
There's a lesson in this song !
Sliptrail
Great upload - thanks! As I was listening to this a Ray Charles tune popped up in my mind. Leave my woman alone...
John Sexton
Sliptrail - yeah Ray Charles said in his excellent autobiography, "Brother Ray" his song, "Leave that woman alone" came from this very tune. You must have great instincts. If you ever have a chance to read it, check out the chapter called, "Texas", about 3 pages in.. He goes into details about other tunes as well.
Keith McLaughlin
We all seem to have been lucky enough to find ourselves here. A place where music lights up the night
Hans Fried
I wonderful song from an early Carter Family recording.
Hazen Sweeney
Maybelle playing the Gibson beautifully !
Wayne Hoobler
Gibson L5.
ILOveOldies
@gozerdink yea i know quite a few like this !