THE BIRDS WERE SINGING OF YOU (Carter Family- Nov. 25, 1930):
Words and Music by A.P. Carter

Last night the pale moon was shining
Last night when all was still
I was wanderering alone in sadness
Out among the woodland hills.

I heard the birds a-singing
Out among the trees and dew
And all the birds, my darling
Were singing, were singing of you.

Chorus: Were singing, singing of you, my love
Were singing, singing of you
And all the birds, my darling
Were singing, were singing of you.

I'll defer to Mark Zwonitzer, "That year he wrote a beautiful and thoroughly modern song, 'The Birds Were Singing of You,' which captured a single suspended moment of grief.

It was around this time that AP and Sara began having martial problems due in part to AP's extended song collecting trips and his lack of interest taking care of his house and family. Perhaps this song is a reflection on AP's situation which in three short years would result in seperation and eventually a divorce in 1936.


Richie