Subject: Lyr Add: WILL YOU MISS ME From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:42 PM Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone? is by Rev. George Beebe and H.E. McAfee circa 1900. This song is now the name of the definitive biography about the Carters, Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone by Marc Mark Zwonitzer and Charles Hirshberg. The Carters recorded the song twice- first in 1928 and again in 1935 after A.P. and Sara separated. The Carters kept recording and occasionally performing together until 1943 when Sara moved to California to live with her new husband Coy Bays. Without Maybelle and her family carrying on the Carter tradition in the 1940s the music of the Carters might have been largely forgotten. A.P. moved back to Poor Valley and ran a small grocery store in relative obscurity, he tried in vain to resurrect the group but Original Carter Family never recorded again. They left a wealth of musical treasures behind as their legacy. I never knew them, but I do miss them. WILL YOU MISS ME- Carter Family 1928 and 1935 When death shall close these eyelids And this heart shall cease to beat And they lay me down to rest In some flowery bowery tree 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 Plant 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 |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WINDING STREAM From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:57 PM Winding Stream (The Winding Stream) is a song Meade calls a parlor song from the 1800s and calls the song, "Give To Me a Winding Stream." Initial searches haven't turned up the song. THE WINDING STREAM Carter family 1932 [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] O give to me a winding stream It must not be too wide Where waving leaves of maple trees Would meet from either side The water must be deep enough To float a small canoe With no one else but you Do not disturb My waking dream The splendor of That winding stream Flower in my canoe Her eyes they look me through A maiden fair with golden hair Looks very much like you [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] The sparkling trout beneath the bank Doth leave his hiding place Kingfisher from the bough above So eager to give chase The spreading branches overhead The sunrise peeping through And looking, dear, at you Do not disturb My waking dream The splendor of That winding stream Flower in my canoe Her eyes they look me through A maiden fair with golden hair Looks very much like you |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:06 PM Charles Wolfe wrote or edited (two by Talley) Tennessee Strings, A Good-Natured Riot, DeFord Bailey, Mahalia Jackson, The Life and Legend of Lead Belly, Everybody's Grandpa, In Close Harmony, Classic Country, Kentucky Country, Folk Songs from Middle Tennessee, and many papers. Artful Codger, which one has the information on the Carter songs? There are many "Little Darling" songs, some music only. Sara's seems unique. |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WONDERFUL CITY From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:15 PM Wonderful City is a song attributed to Jimmie Rodgers and was recorded with the Carter family in their joint 1931 session in Louisville KY. Rodgers usually appropriated material for his songs so the lyrics probably are based on another song. This is even more likely because this was the only gospel song Rodgers recorded. THE WONDERFUL CITY- Jimmie Rodgers and Carter family 1931 I'm waiting watching and longing That beautiful sight to behold When I shall awake some bright morning In that city with streets of pure gold My savior has gone to prepare it For all who accept his grace And that's why I know I'll be welcome To a home in that wonderful place When I reach my home in that city Shall I find you waiting up there With the saints who have gone on before us To that beautiful home so fair My whole heart is set upon heaven Where my savior's face I shall see And live in the light of his glory Throughout all eternity [Yodel] He bids us to work in His vineyard To toil for Him early and late What a glorious reward for our labor To enter that beautiful gate |
Subject: Lyr Add: WORRIED MAN BLUES (Carter Family) From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:40 PM Worried Man Blues is a traditional blues song arranged by the Carter Family who recorded the song in 1930 and again in 1935. The only earlier recording is by Sam Collins with a vocal John D. Fox in 1927 on Gnt 6352. The song is made up of traditional verses arranged by the Carters probably from Leslie Riddle/Brownie McGee/Sam Lyons group. Look at Charley Patton's "Down the Dirt Road Blues:" I'm goin' away, to a world unknown I'm goin' away, to a world unknown I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long WORRIED MAN BLUES As recorded by the Carter Family, 1930. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long. I went across the river; I lay down to sleep. I went across the river; I lay down to sleep. When I woke up, with the shackles on my feet. Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg. Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg. And on each link an initial of my name. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long. [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] I asked the judge, what might be my fine. I asked the judge, what might be my fine. Twenty-one years on the R. C. Mountain Line. The train I ride, sixteen coaches long. The train I ride, sixteen coaches long. The girl I love is on that train and gone. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long. [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] If anyone asks you who composed this song. If anyone asks you who composed this song. Tell 'em 'twas I, and I sing it all day long. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. It takes a worried man to sing a worried song. I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long. |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU ARE MY FLOWER From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:54 PM You Are My Flower is a song attributed to a.P. Carter and it certainly seem like a song he wrote even if he had a few lines to get him started. YOU ARE MY FLOWER Carter Family 1938 [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] The grass is just as green The sky is just as blue The day is just as bright The birds are singing, too You are my flower That's blooming in the mountain for me You are my flower That's blooming there for me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] The air is just as pure The sunlight just as free And nature seems to say It's all for you and me You are my flower That's blooming in the mountain for me You are my flower That's blooming there for me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] So wear a happy smile And life will be worthwhile Forget your tears And don't forget to smile You are my flower That's blooming in the mountain for me You are my flower That's blooming there for me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] When summertime has passed And snow begins to fall Just sing this song And say to one and all You are my flower That's blooming in the mountain for me You are my flower That's blooming there for me |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU BETTER LET THAT LIAR ALONE From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 02:40 PM You Better Let That Liar Alone known also as "Let That Liar Alone" is a spiritual found in the Joyful Meeting in Glory Song Book No 1 in 1919. The first recording is by Edward Clayton in 1927. Other versions by country musicians include Emry Arthur 1928 and Frank Luther 1934. YOU BETTER LET THAT LIAR ALONE- Carter Family 1937 Chorus: 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 You better let that liar alone Well let me tell you people what a liar will do He's always coming with something new He'll steal your heart with a false pretence Make out like he's your bosom friend When a liar takes the notion to bend the truth He'll lay around his neighbors to get the news And nearly every day when you look out You can see that liar coming to your house 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 finds out you believe what he says Then that liar's gonna have his way. When everything's in perfect peace Here comes that liar with his deceit When he gets his business fixed just right Then that liar's going to cause a fight Bridge: He'll make out like he loves you so well Everything you hear he must come and tell Let me tell you sisters if you only knew What a certain somebody says about you. 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 A hypocrite liar both kicks up a fuss They're both very bad but a liar's the worse |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU DENIED YOUR LOVE From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 02:56 PM You Denied Your Love is a song by the Carters in 1938. For now I've not found a source. It certain looks like the type of song they would have written, YOU DENIED YOUR LOVE- Carter family 1938 That was the day when you went away You broke my heart in the month of May That little ring I gave to you Will show you, dear, my love was true [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] Sweet are the flowers of our friendship That has bloomed our whole life through But ne'er forget, though you're far away They're blooming in my heart today [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] You denied your love, but you proved it so You came to see me when the sun was low You broke my heart, but you were kind When you said "Oh, dear, you could never be mine" Oh, let me tell you what love will do When you love a boy that don't love you It'll break your heart, they'll leave you alone They'll roam the west, so far from home |
Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S A LOVE KNOT IN MY LARIAT From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:24 PM You Tied a Love Knot in My Heart is from the Carters final session in 1941. The only related lyrics seem to be a song recorded in the 1930s: THERE'S A LOVE KNOT IN MY LARIAT written and recorded by Wilf Carter aka Montana Slim I'll be thinking of you pal at sunset time Thinking of the happy days gone by There beneath the dear old western sky And I'll tell you just the reason why, There's a love knot in my lariat, And it's waiting for a blue eyed gal you bet, While I'm riding the range all day My old lasso seems to say, it twines around an ornery stray, There's a love knot in my lariat And it's waiting for my little prairie pet When I swing my old lasso you'll hear my yodel ay ee hoo There's a love knot in my lariat. Probably the only related lyrics would the title. Perhaps that was enough to get Maybelle started. YOU TIED A LOVE KNOT IN MY HEART- Maybelle Carter 1941 You tied a love knot in my heart, dear When you said you'd be my bride Oh, how well I remember As we strolled side by side Leaves were falling all around us Roses withered on the ground You tied a love knot in my heart, dear That can never be unwound [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] The only thing that I have left now Is this little string of down With a little love knot in it That she held tight in her hand As I stood there by her bedside As I look into your eyes You tied a love knot in my heart, dear That can never be untied [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] There's a heart tonight that's lonely There's a heart tonight that's sad For God has took you from me Dearest pal I ever had She's gone to sing up in heaven God needed her there by his side You tied a love knot in my heart, dear That can never be untied |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'RE NOTHING MORE TO ME From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:36 PM You're Nothing More to Me is titled "Thou Art Nothing More To Me" by Meade. It was collected and published in The Frank Brown NC folk songs by Belden in 1952. Anyone? YOU'RE NOTHING MORE TO ME- Carter Family 1938 Tonight we part forever You're nothing more to me The chain that bound us is broken Not a tear I'll shed for thee Go break the heart of another Just as you have broken mine Go tell her that you love her And call her fondly thine [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] Here, take this ring that you gave me Which was so dear to me Go give it to another It's nothing more to me When you gaze upon the engraving Will you think one time of me You've broken my heart forever Not a tear I'll shed for thee [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] Goodnight, goodbye forever You're nothing more to me You've broken my heart forever Not a tear I'll shed for thee I must say goodbye, my darling Nevermore to meet again I will ask of you a promise Will you meet me up in heaven [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'VE BEEN A FRIEND TO ME From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:44 PM You've Been a Friend to Me is a song by Will Hays in 1868. Here's the sheet music:http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1879/11900/11919/mussm11919.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?mussm:1:./tem YOU'VE BEEN A FRIEND TO ME- Carter family 1936 Oh, I'll ne'er forget where e'er I roam Where ever you may be If ever I have had a friend You have been that friend to me My bark of life was tossing down The troubled stream of time When first I saw your smiling face And youth was in its prime Oh, I'll ne'er forget where e'er I roam Where ever you may be If ever I have had a friend You have been that friend to me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] Misfortune nursed me as her child And loved me fondly, too I would have had a broken heart Had it not been for you Oh, I'll ne'er forget where e'er I roam Where ever you may be If ever I have had a friend You have been that friend to me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] Now I look back upon the past Acrost life's troubled seas And smile to think of all I've seen You've been a friend to me Oh, I'll ne'er forget where e'er I roam Where ever you may be If ever I have had a friend You have been that friend to me Oh, I'll ne'er forget where e'er I roam Where ever you may be If ever I have had a friend You have been that friend to me |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'VE BEEN FOOLING ME BABY (Carter Famil From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:49 PM You've Been Fooling Me, Baby is taken from the Allen Brothers "When You Leave You Leave Me Sad" recorded in 1930. The Carters version was recorded in 1934. YOU'VE BEEN FOOLING ME, BABY As recorded by the Carter Family, 1934. (Bluebird B-5771, Montgomery Ward M-4548)
I don’t want you, mean mama.
CHORUS: You've been fooling me, baby.
Sing those parting blues to me, sweet Nell.
I wouldn't give him much lovin’, |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOUR MOTHER STILL PRAYS FOR YOU JACK From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:57 PM Your Mother Still Prays (For You, Jack) is a song from F.M. Eliot in 1893. Your Mother Still Prays For You Jack- Carter Family 1935 The night was dark and stormy The wind was howling wild As an aged mother gazed upon The portrait of her child As she gazed on the baby's features That once filled her heart with joy He's now in this wild world roaming That mother's long lost boy CHORUS: Your mother still prays for you, Jack Your mother still prays for you In a home far over the ocean Your mother still prays for you At last there came a letter It was deeply edged in black From a comrade long forgotten Who still remembered Jack "They have lain your dear old mother In a grave so dark and cold And she wants her boy who is roaming To meet her on the streets of gold." His stony heart was broken As he thought of his mother dear And in spite of his comrades laughing He could not keep back his tears In spite of the great tempolations That once filled his heart with tears So he started for Heaven that evening As sweetly the people did sing |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY YOU LET ME DOWN From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:08 PM You're Gonna Be Sorry You Let Me Down is the very last song the Carters recorded in 1941. The JOAFL tried to trace this song and could n't find the source. It certain could be a song by Maybelle. Anyone YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY YOU LET ME DOWN- Carter Family 1941 You told me once, dear, I was true and kind You told me then, love, that you were mine But now you tell me that you were blind You like your parties and good times I'm sorry, darling, 'cause you feel this way Once you told me truthful, to my face You've found another to take my place All dressed in diamonds, pearls and lace I'm sorry, darling, 'cause you let me down A truer love now you think you've found But when I'm laid deep down in the ground You're gonna be sorry you let me down [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] So now I've lost you, but still have faith That you will see the mistake you've made And when you find, dear, that you were wrong You'll ask forgiveness and come back home I believed you, darling, when you said to me That we'd be happy, we'd be free But now I found, dear, a fault in thee When we were wed, love, I could not see I'm sorry, darling, 'cause you let me down A truer love now you think you've found But when I'm laid deep down in the ground You're gonna be sorry you let me down |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU'VE GOT TO RIGHTEN THAT WRONG From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:31 PM You've Got to Righten That Wrong is a gospel song from the Carters in 1940. This another hard one and seems like a Carter original. Anyone? YOU'VE GOT TO RIGHTEN THAT WRONG- Carter Family 1940 CHORUS: You've got to righten that wrong someday Years may pass but you cant get away If you do wrong today the price you must pay You've got to righten that wrong someday Do not lie or gossip on the folks whom you know But do good to all while you may Did smile while their face and frown when they go You've got to righten that wrong someday You hear Jesus pleading to come to the fold The time is flitting away He will strengthen your spirit and sweeten your soul Why not righten each wrongs today |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOUNG FREDA BOLT From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:39 PM Young Freda Bolt is a song by Doc Shanks written in 1930 that the Carters recorded about the murder of Freeda Bolt Dec. 13,1929 in Floyd County, VA. The floyd County Ramblers released a version in 1930. YOUNG FREDA BOLT arr. A. P. Carter 1938 Amid the Blue Ridge Mountains there lived a maiden fair, Whose life was pure as heaven, whose heart was free from care. She dreamed of love and romance, with heart so glad and free. No gloom within the future young Freda Bolt could see. Nearby lived Buren Harmon, a boy she loved so well, And of these two young lovers a story I will tell. 'Twas late one Thursday evening, the stars were shining dim, That Buren called his sweetheart to come and go with him. He told her on tomorrow that they would surely wed, But little was she thinking he'd take her life instead. They motored to Bent Mountain, a place so dark and lone, And there her form so helpless he placed beneath a stone, Away from home and mother that Freda loved so well. The bitter pain and anguish no mortal tongue can tell. Through tears she pled for mercy, but heeding of her cry, Young Harmon left his sweetheart in agony to die. We think that God in heaven must surely heard her cry, And sent a band of angels to linger very nigh, And bear her spirit over to yonder's happy shore, Where dying comes no never, and parting is no more. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 14 Dec 08 - 11:33 PM Hi, We've looked briefly at the 292 original Carter Family songs. There are about 12 songs that we might be able to figure out by looking at them again and getting more people and info involved. I'm not sure of the next step. We can start a seperate thread or bring the songs back up here. If someone can check the work and compare it with Charles Wolfe's liner notes like the Artful Codger did that would help. I'm sure that a few of the songs will never be identified especially the ones that members of ths group wrote based on lyrics that maybe a fan sent in or songs that are entirely original. There are some interviews that Mike Seegar and others did with Maybelle and Sara in their later years that might shed some light. Any suggestions how to proceed? Richie |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 15 Dec 08 - 01:13 PM We've now gone through all the original Carter Family songs. Here is our list from A-F with changes. I'll put an asterisk by the songs that they wrote or have a unique arrangement. Amber Tresses: 1874 "Amber Tresses Tied in Blue," Words Samuel M. Mitchell, Music H. P. Danks. Anchored in Love: 1911 "Anchored in Love Divine" James Rowe & James Vaughan *Answer to Weeping Willow: a rewrite of "Bury Me Beneath The Willow" Are You Lonesome Tonight?: 1926 Lyrics Roy Turk, music Lou Hindman. Are You Tired of Me, My Darling?: 1877 by Cook and Roland *Away Out on Saint Sabbath: a rewrite of Bury Me on the Lone Prairie *Bear Creek Blues; from Leslie Riddle, traditional blues verses from Blind Lemon others Beautiful Home: 1898 by J. Howard Entwisle and Johnson Oatman Beautiful Isle O'er the Sea: based on an earlier song, maybe Stoneman's. Behind Those Stone Walls: based on an earlier song. *Birds Were Singing of You: A.P. Carter as far as we know. Black Jack David: traditional; arrangement taken from Cliff Carlisle whic hwas based on David Myrick's earlier version *Blackie's Gunman: rewrite of an unknown song Bonnie Blue Eyes: arrangement of a traditional song Bring Back My Blue Eyed Boy: arrangement of a traditional song Bring Back My Boy: same song as above- arrangement of a traditional song Broken Down Tramp: rewrite of an earlier song Broken Hearted Lover; arrangement of a traditional song *Buddies in the Saddle: 1940 attributed to Maybelle Carter Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow: 1909 traditional folk song *By the Touch of Her Hand: attributed to A.P. Carter Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By): 1907 Ada Habershon, Music: Charles Gabriel. Can't Feel at Home: 1919 as far as we know, traditional folk hymn and spiritual Cannonball (Blues): from Leslie Riddle based on earlier song Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers in Texas; skit *Carter's Blues; 1929 based on another song; title would need to be changed to avoid copyright issues. Charlie and Nellie: traditional- based on earlier recordings Chewing Gum: 1925 traditional song Church in the Wildwood; 1857 James Rowe- words, William P. Pitts- music Coal Miner's Blues: arranged collected by Leslie Riddle; traditional lyrics from coal camp. Cowboy Jack: 1928 traditional based on an earlier song Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd: Based on a poems in Rhymes from the Rangeland. Beggs may be considered the original author of the text of this song. *Cuban Soldier: based on an unknown song *Cyclone of Rye Cove: based on a poem sent to AP. Dark and Stormy Weather: based on traditional lyrics Dark Haired True Lover; 1918 text is in Robert Gordon Collection #1536 Darling Daisies: 1882 "Down by the Garden Wall" by Max Vernor. Darling Little Joe: 1866 by V. E. Marsten. *Darling Nellie Across the Sea: based on an unknown song. Per Charles Wolfe, Sara wrote much of the song herself (implying an antecedent). Diamonds in the Rough; 1897 CW Byron words and LL Pickett Distant Land to Roam; LM Bandy's 1902 song "Leaving Home" Don't Forget Me Little Darling; 1874. C.W. Vance- Words and RS Crandall Don't Forget This Song: 1910 based on "Bad Companions" or "Young Companions" Dying Mother: 1881 Nona Lawson- words and C. M. Tate *Dying Soldier: based on an unknown song; the title may be used East Virginia Blues: Traditional Arranged by Carters East Virginia Blues No. 2; Traditional arranged by Carters Engine 143; 1915 traditional ballad *Evening Bells Are Ringing: 1934 based on an unknown song by A.P Carter Faded Coat of Blue; 1865 Civil War song by J.H. McNaughton Faded Flowers: 1851 song by James Powers and JH Brown *Fate of Dewey Lee: based on a poem by A.P. Carter *Farewell Nellie: reworking of traditional material by Sara Carter Fifty Miles of Elbow Room: written by Herbert Buffum 1879-1939 Foggy Mountain Top: traditional, based on earlier song Fond Affection: traditional arranged by Carters Forsaken Love: traditional arranged by Carters Funny When You Feel That Way: 1873 "It's Funny when you Feel that Way" by George Harris. Per Wolfe, 19th c. versions credit G.W. Hunt. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family son From: Artful Codger Date: 15 Dec 08 - 04:15 PM Q: The Charles Wolfe book is In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain, part of the Bear Family 10-CD collection of the same name. Richie: I should have remembered from Wolfe's book that A.P. played fiddle. As to whether he was a "good bass", I gotta question your criteria. A good bass doesn't just drone chord roots--and muff those as often as he did. He also had a habit of coming in late on the choruses--sometimes he didn't even bother to show up for the sessions! When Silver Threads are Gold Again: The original poem, "Growing Old" was written by Rexford (Eben Eugene Rexford, 1848-1916) when he was eighteen (c.1866). He revised the poem when Danks (Hart Pease Danks, 1834-1903) requested words for a song. WSTAGA was copyrighted in 1873 (not 1875). The song is now better known either as "Silver Threads Among the Gold" or "Darling, I Am Growing Old". Where We'll Never Grow Old: Per Charles Wolfe, James Cleveland Moore was from Paulding County, and he published the song in 1914. Will You Miss Me: I'm sure they must be singing something else at the end of the fourth line. I've always heard this sung as "flowery-xxx retreat", with "xxx" being "boughed", "bowered" or "bound". To be laid to rest in a tree not only violates rhyme but sense (and possibly gravity). In another thread here, someone transcribes the Carters as singing "my heart shall cease to be", which at least rhymes with their "flowery boundary tree", even if sense is strained further. Do hearts vaporize upon death, and is the dead body in the boundary tree supposed to be a warning to trespassers? Jim Dixon found the original song at The Library of Congress American Memory Collection, and kindly transcribed the lyrics into another thread; search for "Will You Miss Me (Cooper, Pratt; 1872)". The Winding Stream: Per Wolfe, a fan in British Columbia sent them the words with a title like "Flower in My Canoe". A.P. rearranged the words and the trio worked up a melody. Peer changed the title. Worried Man Blues: Per Wolfe, they learned the song orally, but couldn't remember from whom. It was originally a prison song. You Are My Flower: Not by A.P. at all. Per Wolfe, Maybelle said she took a Mexican tune and grafted onto it verses of an old printed poem called "The Grave Is Just as Green". You Denied Your Love: New words grafted onto the melody of "The Wabash Blues". I've only supplied Wolfe's notes for those songs that most interested me, and my notes of his notes are not necessarily everything he wrote. So there's a lot more that can be added about origins from his book. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 15 Dec 08 - 08:25 PM Here is a summary of the Carter Family Songs titled G-K. Songs with an asterisk are either written by the Carters or the source of the song has not been found. If anyone has additional information or corrections please add them: Gathering Flowers from the Hillside: 1909- Traditional song collected Belden; Arranged by The Carter Family. Girl on the Greenbrier Shore; 1910- Traditional song collected Combs; Arranged by The Carter Family. Wolfe: based on an incident which occurred in 1896. Give Him One More as He Goes: 1884 Word and Music Ike Brown "I'll Give You One More as You Go" Give Me Roses While I Live; 1925 James Rowe lyrics, R. H. Cornelius music Give Me Your Love and I'll Give You Mine; 1902 L. A. Davis- lyrics M. J. Fitzpatrick- music "You Give Me Your Love [And I'll Give You Mine]" Glory to the Lamb: Circa 1900 Hymn Collection titled the "New Onward and Upward" God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign; Early 1900s- Traditional African-American Spiritual Gold Watch and Chain; 1879- Traditional chorus based on the Reuben's Train songs. The verses are from 1879 Westendorf song, "Is There No Kiss For Me Tonight, Love." Goodbye to the Plains: Early 1900s- Traditional Western song "The Dying Cowboy of Rim Rock Ranch" arranged by Carter Family. Tune is "The Mule Song," a parody, Edward Harrigan and Dave Braham, pub. 1882 Gospel Ship: Circa 1900- Traditional gospel song arranged by Carter Family Grave on the Green Hillside: 1875- Gospel song by Aldine Kieffer. Happiest Days of All; 1875- Will Thompson song "Gathering Shells From the Seashore." Happy in the Prison; Early 1900s- Traditional African-American Spiritual also known as "When I Lay my Burdens Down" arranged by Carter Family Happy or Lonesome; 1913 Dick Burnett songster- Traditional song "Are You Happy or Lonesome" arranged by Carter Family He Never Came Back; 1891- Words and music by William Jerome. He Took a White Rose from Her Hair; Early 1900s- Traditional song "The (Little) White Rose" arranged by Carter Family Heart That Was Broken for Me: 1914- Southern gospel song by Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) *Heaven's Radio: 1930s- Gospel song, no source known, arranged by Carter Family Hello Central, Give Me Heaven: 1901- Gospel song by Charles K. Harris *Hello Stranger: 1937 Traditional blues arranged by Carter Family Hold Fast to the Right: 1906- Gospel song by James Vaughan *Home by the Sea; 1800s- Possible rewrite of "Dear Old Home Beyond the Sea" by A. Hamilton Sims and William A. Keller written in 1887. Home in Tennessee: circa 1925- Song by Carson Robison titled "My Little Home in Tennessee" Homestead on the Farm; 1909- "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home" by Lambert and Vandersloot. Honey in the Rock: 1895- Gospel song by Frederick A. Graves. I Ain't Goin' to Work Tomorrow: Early 1900s- Traditional song arranged by The Carter Family. I Cannot Be Your Sweetheart: 1899 song written by Abbie Ford titled "Under the Pale Moonlight" I Found You Among the Roses: 1913 song by George Pitman I Have an Aged Mother; 1882 Broadside by I.M. Williams titled "Ten Thousand Miles Away" "On The Banks of A Lonely River" I Have No One to Love Me (But the Sailor on the Deep Blue Sea): 1839 British Ballad "Sweet William." Also known as "Captain Tell me True" and first recorded in 1924 by Gid Tanner as "Sailor Boy." I Loved You Better Than You Knew: 1893 song by Johnny Carroll. I Never Loved But One: 1865 song by Armand titled "Those Dark Eyes" I Never Will Marry: 1864 song "Oh, My Love's Gone" 1906 Belden. Other names are "The Shells of the Ocean" and "Down by the Sea Shore." I Wouldn't Mind Dying; 1800s Traditional African-American gospel song arranged by The Carter Family. I'll Be All Smiles Tonight: 1879 song by T.B. Ranson *I'll Be Home Someday: Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family 1934 *I'll Never Forsake You: Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family 1940 I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes: 1800s- Traditional song arranged by The Carter Family. I'm Working on a Building: Traditional African-American gospel song from Leslie Riddle/Pauline Gray arranged by The Carter Family If One Won't Another One Will: 1800s; Collected by Belden in 1904- Traditional song "Lonesome (Stormy) Scenes of Winter, The" [Laws H12]. In a Little Village Churchyard: 1918 "In That Dear Old Village Churchyard" from Primitive Baptist Hymn Book and Tune Book compiled by Elder John Daily. Needs confirmation. *In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain: Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family 1934 In the Shadow of the Pines: *In the Valley of the Shenandoah: Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family 1934 It Is Better Farther On: 1836 one verse; (1877) Trad. Arranged by L. Thompson (1911) Traditional gospel song arranged by The Carter Family It'll Aggravate Your Soul: 1934 song by A.P. Carter based on traditional lyrics. It's a Long Long Road to Travel Alone: 1931 words and music by BAD [pseud of Mrs. WH Do France]. Arranged by Maybelle Carter. Needs confirmation. Jealous Hearted Me: 1924 Based on traditional blues lyrics by Lovie Austin, "Jealous Hearted Blues" recorded by Ma Rainey. Arranged by The Carter Family from Leslie Roddle. Jim Blake's Message: Circa 1909, 1910 issue of "Railroad Man's Magazine" Rewritten by Carson Robison with Peter Condon- lyrics in 1927 Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy: 1875 song by William Shakespeare Hays "Jimmie Brown (The Paper Boy)". *Jimmie Rodgers Visits the Carter Family: 1931- Song-and-spoken-word skit by The Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man: Late 1800s- Traditional song arranged by the Carter Family. Just a Few More Days: 1922- Traditional hymn from Hymns of Praise: For the Church and Sunday School by F. G. Kingsbury -Hymns, English page 15. Needs confirmation. Just Another Broken Heart: 1899s- Carter's arrangement of the folk song usually known as "Only Flirting," "Only a Broken Heart" or "She was Only Flirting." Keep on the Firing Line: 1915 Southern gospel song by Bessie F. Hatcher. Keep on the Sunny Side: 1899 Gosple song by Ada Blenkhorn and J. Howard Entwisle. *Kissing Is a Crime: 1800s- Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. It resembles the Scottish song "Some Say that Kissing's a Sin" published in 1829. Kitty Waltz: 1872 music; lyrics 1926 Al Hopkins- arranged by the Carter Family |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 15 Dec 08 - 08:29 PM please add: In the Shadow of the Pines: 1895- Song by Hattie Lummis and G.O. Long |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 15 Dec 08 - 10:52 PM "Happy in the Prison" has a strange mondegreen. The line should be "Pentecostal Rain is falling," not 'reign'. The subject of Latter Rain and the Latter Rain Movement and Latter Rain Covenant in the Pentecostal creeds was a subject of much discussion, ca. 1910. If the Holiness Quartet has 'reign,' they also are guilty. It has to do with the prophet Joel, Old Testament, and the 'latter rain' outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the ends of time. It may be that, latterly, the subject has been forgotten by current pentecostals. Googling will bring up the information on the meaning; I am not that interested in the peculiarities of the pentecostals. I doubt that the Af-Am spiritual is the source for this piece of white gospel; laying down burdens or transferring them to Christ is a part of several creeds and it is in their hymns. See "Laying the Burden Down, (Romans and Matthew)," a Presbyterian talk- Laying the Burden Down I have the same doubt about a couple of other songs that you link to Af-Am spirituals which more likely are based on white gospel. A difficult subject; there are many published white gospel collections, some privately published, locally, and in very small numbers- it takes a specialist which I am not. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:17 AM Hi Q, Deciding if a Carter song is ultimately from an African-American source is difficult. We can surmise whether they learned the song from african-Americans at the time tehy learned the song. Many songs came originally from white sources and were adopted and changed by blacks. A.P. Carter was riding around collecting songs with a black man, Leslie Riddle in the rural south, not a common practice in 1920s. The songs A.P. got from Riddle, Pauline Gray, Brownie McGee, John Henry and Steve Tarter were from Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Willie Davis and many others that the Carters never knew. It's important to note that both the Carters and Jimmie Rodgers arguably the two most popular early Country music stars both relied heavily on African-American music for their success. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:42 PM Don't forget that the Carters also collected from white members who attended the various gospel services in their area. Although important to their collecting, I doubt that Riddle was the major contributor of the gospel tunes in their repertoire. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 16 Dec 08 - 07:04 PM Rather than clutter up this thread Joe Offer has started a Carter Family Songs: Summary of Sources thread which I am editing and organizing. Please check sources and help correct any mistakes on that thread. Thanks, Richie |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 16 Dec 08 - 10:56 PM "Let the Church Roll On" is in two collections of spirituals; age uncertain, possibly late 19th c.: E. A. McIlhenny, "Befo' de War Spirituals, Words and Melodies," 1933. Grissom, M. A., Negro Sings a New Heaven. Univ. North Carolina Press, 1930. Grissom calls it a favorite shout song. It is well-known among whites in the southeast, and has spread to the Caribbean. Flatt and Scruggs, Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson have recorded it, and the Smithsonian recorded The Missionary Quartet singing it in the Bahamas. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 17 Dec 08 - 08:02 AM Thanks Q, I'd like to go back and look again at some of songs we didn't find a viable source. The lyrics should be found early in this thread. Here are the first four: *Away Out on Saint Sabbath: 1872 Chorus, Verses unknown date- A rewrite of an unknown song based on "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" from a ballet (lyrics) set to music in 1934 by the Carter Family. *Birds Were Singing of You: Unknown date; based on an unknown song by A.P. Carter. Carters-1930 *Blackie's Gunman: Unknown Date; Rewrite of an unknown song. Referenced to Wilgus. Carters-1940 *Broken Hearted Lover: 1800s- Arrangement of an unknown traditional song; Carters-1932 and 1935 Anyone? |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Richie Date: 18 Dec 08 - 07:58 AM refresh |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LITTLE GIRL THAT PLAYED UPON MY KNEE From: Richie Date: 28 Dec 08 - 09:55 PM Hi, There was one song that was left of this thread, it's the unknown (probably late 1800s) parlor song: "Little Girl That Played On/Upon My Knee." The Late 1800s Unknown (1937 by Carters)- Based on an unknown parlor song. In the repertoire of Jennie Devlin (1865-1952) as "The Litle Valley" which combines this song with a version of "Red River Valley." Here's Devlin's version: http://books.google.com/books?id=fVilv3ZcQEAC&pg=PA274&lpg=PA275&dq=%22played+upon+my+knee%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html THE LITTLE GIRL THAT PLAYED UPON MY KNEE- Carter Family Many years have passed away and gone Since I left my old native home Since I left the scenes of my childhood there Where the dark days seem to roam I left my aged father there And my mother so dear unto me I left a brother and a sister fair And a little girl that played upon my knee Don't Ginny remember, will she ever forget Those many hours of pleasure to me Does she sigh when she thinks of those many happy hours When a little girl she played upon my knee I am homeward bound with the thrills of joy Of my wandering so far o'er the sea I shall soon see my home, my old native home And the little girl that played upon my knee I am tired of life, I cannot live In this dark world so weary unto me Come bury me low by the one I love so well By the little girl that played upon my knee I started a thread on this a week ago but got no replies, Richie |
Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE From: Richie Date: 31 Dec 08 - 06:53 AM Original lyrics: Keep on the Firing Line If you're in the battle for the Lord and right, Keep on the firing line; If you win, my brother, surely you must fight, Keep on the firing line; There are many dangers that we all must face, If we die still fighting it is no disgrace; Cowards in the service will not find a place, So keep on the firing line. Refrain: Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil, Never run, nor even lag behind; If you would win for God and the right, Just keep on the firing line. God will only use the soldier He can trust, Keep on the firing line; If you'll wear a crown then bear the cross you must, Keep on the firing line. Life is but to labor for the Master dear, Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer; Great you'll be rewarded for your service here, So keep on the firing line. When we get to heaven, brother, we'll be glad, Keep on the firing line; How we'll praise the Savior for the call we had, Keep on the firing line; When we see the souls that we have helped to win, Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin, With a shout of welcome, we will all march in, So keep on the firing line. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,William Date: 10 Aug 11 - 11:49 AM In Dec 08, Richie asked about the actual origins/author of the Carter Family song, "I'll Be Home Someday". I did not see any response. The song was not written or composed by The Carter Family. I was looking up the music of this song and as it turns out, the song title and author ARE known and available. The factual info on the song is as follows: "If You See My Savior, Tell Him You Saw Me", written and composed by Thomas Dorsey in approximately 1929 (published in approximately 1932). Many are of the impression Anne Murray, Mahalia Jackson (and others) wrote the song. This is in error. Anne Murray rearranged the lyrics and sang the song, but she did not write and compose it. Have a blessed day, from another bluegrass fan... William |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Creep Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:12 PM To any of your knowledge, are there any carter family recordings that are in the public domain? I'm a filmmaker and would love to use some the original carter family tunes. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Aug 12 - 06:39 PM In general in the U.S., the cutoff date for public domain is 1923 - material from 1923 and earlier is quite surely in the public domain. Everything after that was affected by the Sonny Bono copyright extension of 1998, so mostly you're out of luck with recordings made after 1923 - the first Carter Family recordings were 1927. It's different in the UK - I think some Carter recordings have come into the public domain there. -Joe- |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Artful Codger Date: 14 Aug 12 - 07:26 PM I don't see how they could have come into the public domain in the UK, since there copyrights are measured from death dates-- AP Carter (in whose sole name all the Carter Family copyrights were registered) lived until 1960--add 70 years till expiration? Furthermore, I think the international conventions extend copyrights to the later of the date per one's national laws and the date per the laws of the original nation of copyright, so any continuing copyright in the US would affect the UK as well (just as in-effect UK copyrights begun prior to 1923 prevent free usage in the US.) But that's just copyrights on the songs. The terms for recording copyrights are quite different (though as the songs themselves--in the Carter arrangements--would still be copyrighted, wouldn't one have to wrestle with both types of copyright in order to reproduce a recording?) As for the tunes, many of the "Carter Family" songs were not in fact by the Carter family, as this and Ritchie's other Carter thread amply demonstrate, so you may record and use those tunes with impugnity, with no credit due to the Carters whatsoever, provided you can work from earlier sources (frequently cited in these threads). |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Moira Date: 27 Sep 12 - 05:28 PM We are recording a CD and looking to get licensing permission and pay proper royalties for "It is Better Farther On". I have gone to Peers music to look for it and Harry Fox. Where does the Carter family get their royalty payments? Thanks |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: The Sandman Date: 28 Sep 12 - 06:58 AM what is the origins of keep on the sunny side |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Lighter Date: 05 Nov 13 - 08:00 PM Concerning "The Faded Coat of Blue." No one seems to have mentioned that the Civil War song is unquestionably about the death of a POW in a Southern prison camp like Andersonville. That explains the phrase "among the famished brave" as well as the requests for "a little water and just a little crumb" as well as the "nameless grave" and the complete absence of any reference to fighting. Other Civil War prisons, North and South, were almost equally atrocious, but Andersonville, set up in 1864, became the most notorious. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Nov 13 - 08:59 PM Every time this thread gets refreshed, I am awed by what a piece of work it is. If you want to see more of Richie's work, take a look at his Website, http://bluegrassmessengers.com/ Mel Bay has published at least a couple of his books, and they're very good, too. -Joe- |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: Lighter Date: 06 Nov 13 - 08:09 AM Richie knows what he's talking about. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Joseph Scott Date: 12 Aug 16 - 11:31 PM All of the stanzas of "Oh, Take Me Back" "by" A.P. Carter were based on "K.C. Whistle" by Lester McFarland. A.P. didn't even bother to change whole chunks of exact wordings. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: open mike Date: 13 Aug 16 - 03:07 AM It may have already been posted but I believe the original one who penned the song often attributed to the Carters "Give Me the Roses While ILive" was Cornelius,possivly a Welsh miner, who later founded a music publishing house maybe he was R. J. Cornelius? |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Kenneth Mitchell Date: 27 Aug 16 - 08:12 PM I'd just like to know where there would like to get their song "The New Streamliner". There is absolutely no information anywhere about the song other than a recording of young June Carter Cash singing it. I found a CD and all it says is "trad." which I belive especially with the Carter family but still it intrigues me. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Joseph Scott Date: 14 Jan 17 - 12:11 AM Floyd Canada, a black Texan cowboy who was about four years older than A.P., was singing these lines by 1915: "But give me my shoes, and press my overalls" "... train they call the Cannonball" "... it takes a worried woman to sing a worry song" "I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long" "The train I ride is sixteen coaches long" ("Notes on Folk-Lore of Texas" by W. Prescott Webb, _The Journal of American Folklore_ Jul.-Sep. 1915) |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: GUEST,Joseph Scott Date: 06 Jul 20 - 07:38 PM "an unusual choice for the segregated rural south" It was usual. Very roughly half of old-time "hillbilly" musicians had a sincere interest in Southern black music. (And basically the other half sometimes picked up black numbers they didn't happen to know were black numbers.) I'm talking about independently of the national rise of interest in jazzy music, which also interested many "hillbilly" musicians later. Segregation was generally enforced and a Dock Boggs listened intently to a black musician playing for money on the street with little difficulty. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' From: rich-joy Date: 06 Jul 20 - 09:35 PM What a GREAT Mudcat thread!!! I'd not seen it before. Kudos to all involved! R-J |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |