Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'

Subject: Lyr Add: HE TOOK WHITE ROSES FROM HER HAIR
From: Richie
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 09:52 AM

He Took a White Rose from Her Hair is a traditional song usually titled "The (Little) White Rose" and was first recorded in 1927 by Red Patterson and his Piedmont Log Rollers. Again the title was probably changed by the Carters to prevent copyright problems.

The song appears in print in 1929 jOAFL. I found this snippet on-line:

"O, Willie," I said with a smile,
"I'm sure I will have to say no."
He took a white rose from my hair
And said "Good bye, I must go.

Here's a version on-line from Alabama: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZG_VpWAciWsC&pg=PA290&dq=took+a+white+rose+folk+song&lr=&as_brr=0&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

"The White Rose" was a favorite of WHAS radio radio star Frankie Moore and his Log Cabin Boys. They included the song in their 1936 songbook.

HE TOOK WHITE ROSES FROM HER HAIR- Carter Family 1935

Oh Willie my darling come back
I will ever be faithful and true
Oh Willie my darling come back
I'll forever be faithful to you

I remember once that he said
He loved me better than his life
He called me his darling his wife
Then asked me to be his own bride

Oh darling he said I am sure
Your heart is made of a stone
He took a white rose from my hair
Then left me a standing alone

The next day poor Willie was dead
He was found in the pond near the mill
Oh the clear precious waters so fair
That flows from the branch up the hills

His blue eyes were forever closed
And damp was his golden hair
And close to his pale lips was found
The white rose which he took from my hair

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HEART THAT WAS BROKEN FOR ME
From: Richie
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 01:36 PM

Heart That Was Broken for Me is a southern gospel song by Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) written in 1914.


Van DeVenter at­tend­ed Hill­sdale Coll­ege, Mi­chi­gan, then taught art in Shar­on, Penn­syl­van­ia. Af­ter sev­er­al years, he de­cid­ed to switch to a ca­reer in evan­gel­ism, work­ing with Wil­bur Chap­man and others in Amer­i­ca and Eng­land. To­ward the end of his life, he lived in St. Pe­ters­burg, Flor­i­da, then moved to Tam­pa, Flor­i­da, around 1923. He was pro­fess­or of hymn­ol­o­gy at the Flor­i­da Bi­ble In­sti­tute (now Trin­i­ty Bi­ble Coll­ege) for four years.

Probably his best know gospel song is "I Surrender All"

THE HEART THAT WAS BROKEN FOR ME- Carter Family 1938

There came from the skies
In the days long ago
The Lord with a message of love
The world knew Him not
He was treated with scorn
This wonderful Gift from above

   They crowned Him with thorns
   He was beaten with straps
   He was wounded and nailed to the tree
   But the pain in His heart
   Was the hardest to bear
   The heart that was broken for me

He came to His own
To his owners He loved
The sheep that had wandered astray
They heard not His voice
But the Friend of mankind
Was halted and driven away


I will take up my cross
I will walk by His side
For the pathway of duty I see
I will follow my Lord
And abide in His heart
The heart that was broken for me

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 02:14 PM

Heaven's Radio is a gospel song recorded by the Carters in 1940. Stamps-Baxter music copyrighted a song by Brumley title "Heaven's Radio Station Is In The Air" in 1943. Not sure if there's a conncetion.

From a 1942 book: Such items as a Negro woman singing a song she composed called "Heaven's Radio" in which the words are the expression of a simple mind.

The song was refernced to a Freddie Lee Kirby who was a black choir director in Texas during the 1930s. [Popular Song Index: Third Supplement By Patricia Pate Havlice Published by Scarecrow Press, 1989]

There's no direct source I could find. Anyone?

HEAVEN'S RADIO Carter Family

There's a wonderful invention
It's called the radio
You can hear it every where you chance to go
But the static in the air
Sometimes makes it hard to hear
But it is not so with heaven's radio.

CHORUS: Heaven's radio on the other shore
For my precious savior always listens in
It's the same old radio that was used long time ago
For my precious savior always listens in

Daniel in the lions den
With this power should surely win
For my precious savior always listens in
And I know without a doubt
Honest prayers will bring you out
For my precious savior always listens in

Well He set the Hebrews three
From the fiery furnace free
For my precious savior always listens in
He will rescue you today
In that same old fashioned way
For my precious savior always listens in

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 03:43 PM

Hello Central, Give Me Heaven is a saon by Charles k. Harris written in 1901. Here's a link to the sheet music:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query


HELLO, CENTRAL! GIVE ME HEAVEN 1934 Carter Family

    Hello, central, give me heaven
    For I know my mother's there
    And you'll find her with the angels
    Over on the golden stair

She'll be glad it's me a-speakin'
Won't you call her for me please
For I surely want to tell her
That we're sad without her here

    Hello, central, give me heaven
    For I know my mother's there
    And you'll find her with the angels
    Over on the golden stair
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Papa dear is sad and lonely
Sobbed a tearful little child
Since mama's gone to heaven
Papa dear, you do not smile

I must speak to her and tell her
That we want her to come home
You just listen while I call her
Call her through the telephone

    Hello, central, give me heaven
    For I know my mother's there
    And you'll find her with the angels
    Over on the golden stair
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I will answer just to please her
Yes, dear hearts, I'll soon come home
Kiss me, mama, it's your daughter
Kiss me through the telephone

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 09:02 PM

"Hello Stranger" is a collection of blues and traditional lyrics from different songs arranged by A.P. Carter. It's been recorded by Doc Watson; Hazel and Alice.

HELLO, STRANGER Written and arranged A.P. Carter 1937


    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Hello, stranger, put your loving hand in mine
Hello, stranger, put your loving hand in mine
You are a stranger and you're a pal of mine.

Get up, rounder, let a working man lay down
Get up, rounder, let a working man lay down
You are a rounder, but you're all out and down

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Every time I ride the 6th and 4th streetcar
Every time I ride the 6th and 4th streetcar
I can see my baby peeping through the bars.

She bowed her head, she waved both hands at me
She bowed her head, she waved both hands at me
I'm prison bound, I'm longing to be free
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, I'll see you when your troubles are like mine
Oh, I'll see you when your troubles are like mine
Oh, I'll see you when you haven't got a dime.

Weeping like a willow, mourning like a dove
Weeping like a willow, mourning like a dove
There's a girl up the country that I really love
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Hello, stranger, put your loving hand in mine
Hello, stranger, put your loving hand in mine
You are a stranger and you're a pal of mine

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:21 AM

Hold Fast to the Right is from James Vaughan 1906. Lester McFarland and James Gardner recorded the song first in 1928.

HOLD FAST TO THE RIGHT- Carter Family 1937

Kneel down by the side of your mother, my boy
You have only a moment, I know
But stay till I give you my parting advice
It is all that I have to bestow

    Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right
    Wherever your footsteps may roam
    And forsake not the way of salvation, my boy
    That you learned from your mother at home
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You leave us to seek your employment, my boy
By the world you have yet to be tied
But in the temptations and trials you meet
May your heart to the savior confide

    Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right
    Wherever your footsteps may roam
    And forsake not the way of salvation, my boy
    That you learned from your mother at home
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I gave you to god in your cradle, my boy
And taught you the best that I knew
And as long as His mercies permits me to live
I shall never stop praying for you

    Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right
    Wherever your footsteps may roam
    And forsake not the way of salvation, my boy
    That you learned from your mother at home
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You will find in this satchel a Bible, my boy
It's a book of all others are built
It will help you to live and prepare you to die
And will lead to the gates of the blest

    Hold fast to the right, hold fast to the right
    Wherever your footsteps may roam
    And forsake not the way of salvation, my boy
    That you learned from your mother at home

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:58 AM

Home by the Sea seems to be a rewrite of "Dear Old Home Beyond the Sea" by A. Hamilton Sims and William A. Keller (music) written in 1887. The sentiment is identical but the song probably entered traditional and was changed. You can loook here:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.100007143/pageturner.html

HOME BY THE SEA Carter Family

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

There's a lonely cottage by the seaside
Where the water lilies strew the shore
It was there I passed my happy childhood
With a loved one that's gone before

    Then give me back my dear old home
    That old home by the sea
    And I never will wander far away
    From my home, my dear old cottage home

    Oh-le-lay-ee, ee-e-e-e-ee
    Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, ee-e-e-e-e-ee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Many years have passed since there I wandered
But the old cot' ne'er has been forgot
And my heart in fancy oft returns
To that dear old familiar spot

    Then give me back my dear old home
    That old home by the sea
    And I never will wander far away
    From my home, my dear old cottage home

    Oh-le-lay-ee, ee-e-e-e-ee
    Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, ee-e-e-e-e-ee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Yes, my heart is like a humming sea shell
That tells of its birth where e'er it roams
I will sing of my cottage by the seashore
Of my home, my dear old cottage home

    Then give me back my dear old home
    That old home by the sea
    And I never will wander far away
    From my home, my dear old cottage home

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 12:55 PM

Home in Tennessee was actually titled "My Little Home in Tennessee" and recorded by the Carters in 1932. Apparently it was not issued for Victor at that time and was released later on RCA CNV102.

Although the song entered tradition or at least the title has, this was a song by Maggie Andrews (an alias for Carson Robison) and because it was copyrighted by Columbia, the song was not released. The song was recorded by Al Craver (actually Vernon Dalhart) for Columbia in 1925. Later when the song was released the name was changed slightly.

HOME IN TENNESSEE Carter Family 1932

    Oh, yes, I'm going back
    To my home in Tennessee
    Back to the girl that's waiting
    In the cotton fields to see
    There's a mother and a dad
    That's waiting patiently
    And the place I'm longing for tonight
    Is my home in Tennessee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I've sailed the skies in airplanes
To a place called Bunker Hill
I've dropped from the clouds in a parachute
And, oh, boys, what a thrill
I've saw shells fall in no man's land
And dined on the great prairie
But the place I'm longing for tonight
Is my home in Tennessee

    Oh, yes, I'm going back
    To my home in Tennessee
    Back to the girl that's waiting
    In the cotton fields to see
    There's a mother and a dad
    That's waiting patiently
    And the place I'm longing for tonight
    Is my home in Tennessee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I've been to 'Frisco's golden gate
Also that of Maine
I've been to the Rocky Mountains
And back down again
Been up to old New York
Saw the Statue of Liberty
But the place I'm longing for tonight
Is my home in Tennessee

    Oh, yes, I'm going back
    To my home in Tennessee
    Back to the girl that's waiting
    In the cotton fields to see
    There's a mother and a dad
    That's waiting patiently
    And the place I'm longing for tonight
    Is my home in Tennessee

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:21 PM

Homestead on the Farm was recorded twice by the Carter Family; first for Victor in 1929 then for ARC in 1935. The song is based on "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home" by by Lambert and Vandersloot in 1909. Will Oakland recorded the song for Edison in 1910.

http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/sheetmusic/a/a02/a0276/

THE HOMESTEAD ON THE FARM Carter Family

Well, I wonder how the old folks are at home
Well, I wonder if they miss me when I'm gone
I wonder if they pray
For the boy who went away
And left his dear old parents all alone

    You could hear the cattle lowing in the lane
    You could almost see the fields of bluegrass green
    You could almost hear them cry
    As they kissed their boy goodbye
    I wonder how the old folks are at home

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK TO TUNE OF HOME, SWEET HOME]

Just a village and a homestead on the farm
And a mother's love to shield him from all harm
A mother's love so true
And a sweetheart brave and true
A village and a homestead on the farm

    You could hear the cattle lowing in the lane
    You could almost see the fields of bluegrass green
    You could almost hear them cry
    As they kissed their boy goodbye
    I wonder how the old folks are at home

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK TO TUNE OF HOME, SWEET HOME]

    [REPEAT CHORUS]

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:36 PM

Honey in the Rock is a gospel song written by Frederick A. Graves in 1895. The Carters recorded their version in 1937.

Honey In The Rock- Carter family

Oh my brother, do you know the Savior
Who is wondrous kind and true?
He's the Rock of your salvation
There is honey in the Rock for you

Oh, honey in the Rock (oh, honey in the Rock)
Sweet honey in the Rock (sweet honey in the Rock)
Oh it tastes just like honey in the Rock
Oh taste and see if the Lord is good
Oh it tastes just like honey in the Rock

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious?
Do you walk in the way that's new?
have you drank from the living fountain?
There is honey in the Rock for you

Oh, there's honey in the Rock my brother
There is honey in the Rock for you
Leave your sins for the Blood to cover
There is honey in the Rock for you

HONEY IN THE ROCK- Graves lyrics

O my brother, do you know the Savior,
Who is wondrous, kind, and true?
He's the Rock of your salvation!
There's honey in the Rock for you.

Refrain: Oh, there's honey in the Rock, my brother;
There's honey in the Rock for you.
Leave your sins for the Blood to cover;
There's honey in the Rock for you.

Have you tasted that the Lord is gracious?
Do you walk in the way that's new?
Have you drunk from the living fountain?
There's honey in the Rock for you.

Do you pray unto God the Father,
"What wilt Thou have me to do?"
Never fear, He will surely answer,
There's honey in the Rock for you.

Then go out through the streets and byways,
Preach the Word to the many or few;
Say to every fallen brother,
There's honey in the Rock for you.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 01:54 PM

"My Little Home in Tennessee," a song collected in Alabama, 1952, has very different lyrics from the Carter song (haven't compared music) - "The Alabama Folk Lyric," R. B. Browne, no. 106, pp. 276-277. Seems to be independent.

There were several songs about a Tennessee home published between 1854-1915 that could have been starting points for the Robson-Carter song, but melodies would have to be checked. American Memory

Subject: Lyr Add: I AIN'T GOIN' TO WORK TOMORROW (Carter)
From: Richie
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 05:16 PM

I Ain't Goin' to Work Tomorrow is a traditional folk song arranged by the Carter Family and is on one of their earlier recordings in 1928.

The lyrics show up in collected versions of Darlin' Corey. It seems the Carters collected the lyrics and arranged the song. It was in the repertoire of Kentucky musician Lily May Ledford.


I AIN'T GOIN' TO WORK TOMORROW
Carter Family

I'm a-going to leave this country
I'm a-going around this world
I'm a-going to leave this country
For the sake of one little girl

Well, she told me that she loved me
And it give my poor heart grief
And she's got her back turned on me
She's courting whoever she please

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Well, I lost my money in gambling
And I lost my name, you see
I am nobody's darling
And nobody cares for me

Don't you hear my banjo ringing
Don't you hear this mournful sound
Don't you hear those pretty girls laughing
Standing on the cold, cold ground

I'll hang my head in sorrow
I'll hang my head and cry
I'll hang my head in sorrow
As my darling passes by

Well, I ain't gonna work tomorrow
And I may not work next day
Well I ain't gonna work tomorrow
For it be a wet, rainy day

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 06:18 PM

"Honey in the Rock" is regarded by many as an African-American spiritual; most Black singers follow the style of Mamie Forehand, who sang it in 1927, but adding the word "Sweet" to the title. The song is included in the Ruby Pickins Tartt Collection of Religious Folk Songs from Sumter Co., AL, edited by Olivia and Jack Solomon ("Honey in the Rock," Mercer Univ. Press).
The verses are not the same as those of Carter or Graves; but they have the word 'brother' in common.
The song does not seem to have been in the African-American Tradition before Mamie Forehand.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 29 Nov 08 - 01:09 AM

I Cannot Be Your Sweetheart, also known as "Under the Pale Moonlight," is a song written in 1899 by Abbie Ford, who wrote mainly ragtime style music. The song has entered tradition and has been found in several folk song collections.

I CANNOT BE YOUR SWEETHEART Carter Family 1934

Last night I told my heart's love
All under the pale blue sky
Eagerly waiting an answer
I plainly could see in her eye
I love you, sweetheart, I love you
And ask you to be my bride
Her face turned pale and she trembled
And sadly to me replied

    I cannot be your sweetheart
    I cannot stay by your side
    There's one who's waiting off yonder
    Who's claiming me his bride
    My heart is almost broken
    Your vows only add to my pain
    I love you, sweetheart, I love you
    Though we may never meet again

We said goodbye in the moonlight
My heart was turned to a stone
One peaceful hour I was made happy
But now I am sad and lone
Amidst my sorrows forever
Though she may go far away
Wherever she goes I'll love her
And still I can hear her say

    I cannot be your sweetheart
    I cannot stay by your side
    There's one who's waiting off yonder
    Who's claiming me his bride
    My heart is almost broken
    Your vows only add to my pain
    I love you, sweetheart, I love you
    Though we may never meet again

Subject: Lyr Add: I FOUND YOU AMONG THE ROSES
From: Richie
Date: 29 Nov 08 - 01:24 AM

I Found You Among the Roses is by George Pitman in 1913. The Carters recorded their version in 1940. Here's the sheet Music at the Levy Collection (for some reason the links at Levy aren't working):

http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/levy-cgi/display.cgi?id=152.105.000;pages=5;range=0-4

I FOUND YOU AMONG THE ROSES-Carter family

Once again dear it's rose time it's June time
All the flowers they bloom as of yore
And the robin's sweet song is singing
As I walked here to greet you once more

A year has passed dear since we came here
This old love of ours to renew
And I found you among the roses
The day I come back to you

CHORUS: I found you among the roses
The day I come back to you
All my gladness was there in a garden so fair
Was the happiest moment I knew
Your lips were the color of roses
I craved them as flowers crave the dew
It was out here in your rose garden
Where I found you

I remember the kiss that you gave me
For your cheeks like the rosebuds red
Was a kiss dear that meant to fore me
For all the harsh words I have said

Red roses a blooming around me
I loved every one of them too
For it was there dear in your rose garden
Where I found you

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 30 Nov 08 - 08:25 PM

I Have an Aged Mother is also known "Ten Thousand Miles Away" as well as "On The Banks of A Lonely River."

Here's a link to the 1882 Broadside sheet music "composed by I.M. Williams" at American Memory:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1882/16100/16161/mussm16161.db&recNum=1&itemLink=D?mussm:4:./tem

"On The Banks of A Lonely River" was a big hit for Tarton and Darby on Columbia in 1930 possibly prompting the Carters to record the song for Victor later that year. Record sales that year plummeted because of the Great Depression.

I HAVE AN AGED MOTHER- Carter Family

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Last night while I lay sleeping
Last night while in a dream
I saw my dear old mother
Down by a rippling stream

    Don't ask me why I'm weeping
    Don't ask me why I pray
    For I've an aged mother
    10,000 miles away
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

A letter here from sister dear
Come home, we're all alone
Dear mother's slowly fading
She can't be with us long

    Don't ask me why I'm weeping
    Don't ask me why I pray
    I've a dear old mother dying
    10,000 miles away

    Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
    Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
    Out in the cold world
    A long ways from home

I'm drawing near the old home
Dear sister's at the gate
She's leading me through the doorway
Oh, brother, you've come too late

Oh, lead me to the casket
Throw back the linen so fine
That I may kiss her pale white lips
For I know they'll never kiss mine

I see the pale moon shining
On mother's white tombstone
The rosebuds 'round them twining
Are just like me—alone

    Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
    Well, ah-le-ho, le-ho-lay
    Out in the cold world
    Left all alone

Subject: Lyr Add: I HAVE NO ONE TO LOVE ME (Carter Family)
From: Richie
Date: 30 Nov 08 - 08:40 PM

I Have No One to Love Me (But the Sailor on the Deep Blue Sea) is th British Ballad "Sweet William" also know as Captain Tell me TRue and first recorded in 1924 by Gid Tanner as "Sailor Boy."

The ballad index gives the earliest date as before 1839 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 11(2298)).

The plot is as follows: A girl asks her father to build her a boat so that she may search for her lover. She describes the boy to a passing captain, who tells her he is drowned. She gives directions for her burial, then dies of grief or dashes her boat against the rocks.

Other names include: "The Pinery Boy" "The Sailor's Sweetheart" "My Boy Willie" "Papa, Build Me a Boat"

The Carters recorded their version in 1928:

I HAVE NO ONE TO LOVE ME (BUT THE SAILOR ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA)
Carter Family 1928

It was on last Sunday evening
Just about the hour of three
When my darling started to leave me
To sail on the deep blue sea
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

He promised to write a letter
He promised to write to me
And I haven't heard from my darling
Who sails on the deep blue sea
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

My mother is dead and buried
My papa's forsaken me
And I have no one to love me
But the sailor on the deep blue sea
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, Captain, can you tell me
Can you tell me where he may be
Oh, yes, my little maiden
He's drownded in the deep blue sea
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Farewell to friends and relations
It's the last you'll see of me
I'm going to end my troubles
By drowning in the deep blue sea

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 30 Nov 08 - 09:26 PM

I Loved You Better Than You Knew is a song by Johnny Carroll in 1893 and the first recording was just three years later by Goerge Gaskin on Ber 925. In 1895 "I Love You Yet" was written as "An Answer to Johnnie Carroll's Beautiful & Popular Song I Loved You Better Than You Knew."

Here's the Carters 1930 version:

I LOVED YOU BETTER THAN YOU KNEW- Carter Family

Our hands are clasped, alas, forever
Perhaps we'll never meet again
I love you like I love no other
This parting fills my heart with pain

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You ask and freely I'll forgive you
The happy past I must forget
And while I wander alone in silence
I hope that you'll be happy yet

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Perhaps when I am gone forever
You'll sometimes sit and think of me
And wonder if I'm dead or living
Perhaps I'll think the same of you

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 30 Nov 08 - 09:48 PM

I Never Loved But One is "Those Dark Eyes" by Armand in 1865. It's been recorded as "Dark Eyes" and probably was titled differently by the Carters in 1932 to avoid copyright issues.

Her's the sheet music:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?dukesm:1:./temp/~ammem_0URU::@@@mdb=mcc,gottscho,detr,nfor,wpa,aap,cwar,bbpix,cowellbib,ca

I NEVER LOVED BUT ONE- Carter family

                   Onward to the eastern skies,
                   With mooing efforts kissed the sea
                   I sigh and think of those blue eyes
                   That have hope and love for me

                   For they, o they have stole away
                   The heart that truly once was mine
                   Like some lone bird without a mate
                   My weary heart is desolate

                         I look around but cannot trace
                         One welcome word or smiling face
                         In gazing crowds I am alone,
                         Because I never loved but one

                         [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

                   Come up closer to me now,
                   Your chestnut hair is touched with snow
                   But still it is the same dear face,
                   I loved so well long years ago

                   The same as on that winter night,
                   You bent to me and kissed my brow
                   Happy hours of trusting love,
                   Oh well, they're all over now
                  
                   And I must sail the whitening foam,
                   Till I can see a foreign home
                   Till I forget that fair sweet face,
                   I ne'er can find a resting place

                         I look around but cannot trace
                         One welcome word or smiling face
                         In gazing crowds I am alone
                         Because I never loved but one

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 30 Nov 08 - 10:24 PM

"I Never Will Marry" was covered earlier on this thread although more info about the origin is needed.

"I Wouldn't Mind Dying" comes from African-American gospel sources. "I Wouldn't Mind Dying" was recorded by Rev. I.B. Ware in 1928; Golden Leaf Quartette from Jefferson County Alabama in 1928.

It's also titled "By and By We're Going To See The King" by the blind pianist Juanita Arizona Dranes in 1925 and later by Blind Willie Johnson.

I anyone has other lyrics for this song please post them.


I WOULDN'T MIND DYING- Carter Family

          By and by we're going to see the King
          By and by we're going to see the King
          By and by we're going to see the King
          Well, I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

          Wouldn't mind dying, got to go by myself
          Wouldn't mind dying, got to go by myself
          Wouldn't mind dying, got to go by myself
          Well, I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

          After death we're going to stand the test
          After death we're going to stand the test
          After death we're going to stand the test
          Well, I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

          Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy is His Name
          Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy is His Name
          Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy is His Name
          And I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

          Wouldn't mind dying, got to stay dead so long
          Wouldn't mind dying, got to stay dead so long
          Wouldn't mind dying, got to stay dead so long
          And I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all      

          Ezekiel saw the wheel, a wheel within a wheel
          Ezekiel saw the wheel, a wheel within a wheel
          Ezekiel saw the wheel, a wheel within a wheel
          Well, I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

          By and by we're going to see the King
          By and by we're going to see the King
          By and by we're going to see the King
          Well, I wouldn't mind dying if dying was all

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 08:47 AM

I'll Be All Smiles Tonight is a song written by T.B. Ranson in 1879.

Here's a link to the song with notes and TAB:
http://gulfweb.net:34043/~rlwalker/jamnfolk/book001/I'll%20Be%20All%20Smiles%20Tonight-G.pdf

It was recorded by Luther B. Clark and the Blue Ridge Highballers (1926); Mac and Bob (1927); Allen Brothers (1928); Reed Children (1928); Jenkins and Whitworth (1929); Bradley Kincaid (1929); Linda Parker and The Cumberland Ridge Runners (1933); and the Carter Family (1934).

I'LL BE ALL SMILES TONIGHT- Carter Family

          I'll deck my brow with roses
          The loved ones may be there
          And gems that others give me
          Will shine within my hair

          And even those who know me
          Will think my heart is light
          Though my heart may break tomorrow
          I'll be all smiles tonight

               I'll be all smiles tonight, love
               I'll be all smiles tonight
               Though my heart may break tomorrow
               I'll be all smiles tonight
               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

          Oh, when the dance commences
          Oh, how I will rejoice
          I'll sing the song you taught me
          Without a falling voice

          When the flattering ones come around me
          They'll think my heart is light
          Though my heart may break tomorrow
          I'll be all smiles tonight

               I'll be all smiles tonight, love
               I'll be all smiles tonight
               Though my heart may break tomorrow
               I'll be all smiles tonight
               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

          And when the room he enters
          With a bride upon his arm
          I stood and gazed upon him
          As though he was a charm

          And onced he smiled upon her
          And onced he smiled on me
          They know not what I suffered
          They found no change in me

               I'll be all smiles tonight, love
               I'll be all smiles tonight
               Though my heart may break tomorrow
               I'll be all smiles tonight

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 09:48 AM

I'll Be Home Someday is a gospel song from the Carters 1934 session in Camden NJ; I haven't found any info about this song. Anyone?

I'LL BE HOME SOMEDAY- Carter Family

I was standing by the bedside of a neighbor
Who was just about to cross the swelling tide
I asked if he would do me a favor
Just take a message to the other side

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

If you see my Savior, tell him that you saw me
When you saw me I was on my way
You may meet some old friends who may ask about me
Just tell them I'll be home someday

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Now you have to take this journey on without me
It's a debt that sooner or later must be paid
If you see my Savior, don't forget to tell him
Don't forget to tell him what I say

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You may chance to see my father or my mother
Or some friends who have gone before
You may chance to see my sister or my brother
But try and see my Savior first of all

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 01:41 PM

"I'll Be All Smiles Tonight" is widely known. Examples from Australia, and a song sheet in England (before 1883) at the Bodleian are noted in thread 5951. The original sheet music may be lost, as so much of the old sheet music has been.

I'll Be All Smiles

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 04:38 PM

"I Wouldn't Mind Dying" is a composite or goulash of several gospel-spiritual songs," and floaters.
"Soon and Very Soon" aka "We're Going to See the King" is a well-known song, A. Crouch's recording probably the best-known. Lyrics and chords at http://gospelmusic.org.uk/s-u/soon and very soon.htm

"Wouldn't Mind Dying" is a gospel song sung by Blind Mamie Forehand, Washington Phillips and others. c. 1927 or earlier.

"(Holy, Holy,) Holy Is His Name" is gospel, performed by Talbot and others. Claimed by him, but earlier.

"Ezekiel Saw the Wheel" is an old spiritual, several versions.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 05:34 PM

I'll Never Forsake You was recorded by teh Carters in 1940 for Okeh.
Need some help on the source: Anyone?

I'll Never Forsake You- Carter Family

I am so happy that you love no other but me
All of my life I've tried to win your love you see
And I still wonder if you will be happy with me
When we are married and I've taken you my wife to be

I have waited so long for the words you just said
I always thought that you loved another instead
But you have told me with your own sweet lips so red
And I am waiting for the day when we shall wed

If you should ever forsake me my love I would pray
Take me to my maker up in heaven where white angels stay
Cause I could never go on living without you this way
If we have to part I'd rather you take me today

No, no I'll never forsake you I'll always be true
And we'll be happy together because I love you
And when I think of us parting sweetheart it runs through my head
If we can't be happy together my love I would rather be dead

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 06:51 PM

I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes is one of the Carters well known songs, the melody has been used for many other songs.

From the notes by the well known scholar, Charles K. Wolfe: "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" is another Carter song that became a standard, echoing down through the years in country music. One historian has called it "the best known melody in country music," and it has been used for everything from Roy Acuff's "Great Speckled Bird" to Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels." Sara and Maybelle both recalled that they had known the song all their lives, certainly it shows up in dozens of folksong collections, and prior to the Carter version had been recorded by Welby Toomey (a Kentucky singer), Earl Johnson (a Georgia fiddler), the Stoneman Family (from the Galax, Virginia, area), and others -- though none of them actually used A.P.'s title."

"Thrills I Can't Forget" "Blue Eyes" and "In the Shadow of the Pines" are some other titles. It's been collected as "Broken Ties." Another song with the same melody is "Great Speckled Bird."

Teh song was recorded by The Carter Family on February 14, 1929 also again for Bluebird in 1941.

I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes

Would been better for us both had we never
In this wide and wicked world had never met
For the pleasure we both seen together
I am sure, Love, I'll never forget


Chorus: Oh, I'm thinking tonight, of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I'm thinking tonight, of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me


Oh, you told me once, Dear, that you loved me
You said that we never would part
But a link in the chain has been broken
Leaves me with a sad and aching heart


Chorus


When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me
Will you come, Dear, and shed just one tear
And say to the strangers around you
A poor heart you have broken lies here.


Chorus

Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN-HEARTED LOVERS
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 08:44 PM

"I'm Thinking tonight of my blue eyes"-
The Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore, vol. 2, Folk Ballads, has three examples of "Broken Ties," No. 156, coll. c. 1915, c. 1923, and 1930; the earliest titled "The Broken Engagement." Only the 1930 version mentions 'Blue Eyes," and probably was taken in part from the Carter song. All have the first verse with 'wide, wicked world'. Vol. 3 for some reason does not have the melodies.

The chorus "When the cold, cold clay is laid upon me," in the first example in Brown, is the title of an old song sung by Sloane and Threadgill on Brunswick 100 Series, 299, DAL 695, recorded about Oct. 1928. The record appeared in a Brunswick add in the Charleston Gazette, May 12, 1929.
The Carters changed this to "When the cold, cold grave shall enclose me."

An interesting version from Montana, called a campfire song.

BROKEN-HEARTED LOVERS

Once you said that you always would love me,
And that no one could e'er come between,
Though it's long, long ago since you told me
Yet these words in my memory are green.

'T would have been better for us both had we never
In this wide wicked world had never met;
But the pleasures we've both had together,
I am sure we can never forget.

How sadly my heart yearns towards you
Although distance has thrown us apart;
Do you love me as well as when you held me
Long ago, folded close to your heart.

Now farewell, all my hopes have departed,
I will struggle through life until death;
But alas! you have left me broken-hearted,
And your vows shall implore my last breath.

When my cold, cold grave has surrounded,
Won't you come, love, and shed just one tear;
Will you say to the strangers around you,
That a heart you have broken lies here.

Wish I had a better link. I have seen this version elsewhere, but the title escapes me.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=64415831&blogID=2904574

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: GUEST,JFO
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 09:59 PM

I am a musician and folklorist with a strong interest in song origins and the history of how the copyright process has been abused when it comes to "folk" music. The Carter Family collection of songs is a great case study. And this is a great thread. (I also recommend the book "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone" which provides some general info on A.P. approach to song catching.

To my knowledge, the only song that A.P. Carter may actually have written from scratch is Little Darling Pal of Mine – and that is disputed by some, and there are similar songs. (But let's be honest, you can't write a "new" folk song that isn't similar to some old ones.)

However, the work A.P. did on many of the songs in changing the melody, form, and lyrics, along with the distinctive arrangements that the CF recorded, unquestionably qualify them as copyright holders under current copyright law. (Whether that law is fair or well-defined enough is another discussion!)

Versions of many of these songs that we musicians have heard are almost undoubtedly descended from the Carter Family recordings and we would be hard pressed to record our derivative versions and claim we should not be required to pay royalties because we read that there were versions extant prior to the Carter Family recordings.

On the other hand, many of the Carter Family tunes were merely assimilated by the trio and the estate hold the copyrights only because there was no one to object at the time. (Prior to the mass marketing of phonograph recordings of folk and country music and the corresponding royalties, holding such copyrights wouldn't have been worth the effort necessary to secure them.)

Sometimes the copyright/public domain decision can be amazingly trivial. (If you sing "Can the circle be unbroken" it's PD, but if you sing "Will the circle" it's not?) And the copyright holders have all the clout – they have the lawyers and legal apparatus to make life miserable for any recording artist/producer/record label/disc presser/etc. Their goal – and they are successful – is to make it easier to pay the royalties than to risk a legal battle.

I have dealt with this issue in performing in restaurants that have no ASCAP/BMI/Sesac license and therefore are restricted to traditional, public domain, and original material. Trust me, the ASCAP and BMI agents don't care, if they here a song that has the same title as one in their catalog (and most folk songs have published/licensed arrangements) they will try to intimidate the restaurant owner by threatening a legal action if they don't purchase a license. (Try telling a business owner that you'll play a weekly gig for $150 a week but the three music licenses he needs might cost him twice that!)

I recently recorded a CD of songs that were popular in the year 1964 in Greenwich Village during the folk revival (I refuse to call it a "scare") and I could tell you a story about almost every song. Let me share just a few:

House of the Risin' Sun – Obviously PD, right? Not if you use the notes in the organ run the Animals used for their recording. And there are several other arrangements that are copyrighted as well. So take your pick. Yet the song is traditional and my version qualified as PD.

Statesboro Blues – Attributed to Willie McTell (although he may have picked it up from someone else) and there is a copyright in his name. But wait, the version I perform is most like one I heard Taj Mahal do back in the 60's and he holds a copyright on that arrangement.

Black Eye Blues – An old MA Rainey and Tampa Red song from 1920. So its PD, right? Well, the version I sing is one I heard Judy Henske do in 1964. To get a new copyright (and maybe to make the song acceptable for television) her producer changed the title to "Low Down Alligator" and changed one line in the lyrics form "catch you with your britches down" to "catch you with your socks rolled down." I chose to use Ma Rainey's original (?) version and lyrics.

Don't Think Twice, It's Alright – Easy, a Dylan tune, right? Well, sort of. Dylan actually stole the tune from his pal Paul Clayton who performed a song called "Who's gonna buy your chickens when I'm gone" while on an Appalachian song catching field trip. Paul changed the words to "Who's gonna buy your ribbons when I'm gone" to give it a more city-like feel. Dylan came up with new words and Witmark (the publisher) didn't even give Paul co-billing. Paul was ticked, so to make it up to him Dylan took him on his concert tour that year. For Clayton it might have been a case of bad karma, for he had stolen a song a few years before (Gotta' Travel On) that he had no role in writing and made quite a bit off the royalties after several artists recorded it.

Making the whole copyright thing even more complicated is that some songs that were copyrighted weren't renewed in a timely fashion and therefore are technically PD. (But unless you're planning to press at least 10,000 CD's the effort to establish this fact about any given song will be more costly than the royalties.

My advice? If you perform a song version that is derived from a song and arrangement that was printed and/or published in 1922 or before, list it as public domain. Otherwise go to the Harry Fox web site and "pay the man."

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 08:38 AM

Thanks Q and Guest JFO,

There's several sections in the Carters biography "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone" that detail A.P.'s song collecting and arranging. There is also information about specific songs. The book doesn't dfetail info about the songs as we have done here.

Since there are muliple versions of many of the Carters songs by different recording artists of the 1920s and 30s legally performing and recording the Carters songs isn't a problem and long as you don't take their exact version (arrangement). You can use their arrangement if it's closely alligned to earlier arrangements (this is especially true if the lyrics are teh same as sheet music from say the 1880s).

Some of their songs where their arrangements are unique or no earlier versions can be found should not be used without giving them credit.

The issue is: they don't own the songs just their arrangements and only when the arrangements are unique.

Richie

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M WORKING ON A BUILDING
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 10:37 AM

"I'm Working on a Building" came from black gospel sources. The Carters learned their version from gospel singer Pauline Gary from Kingsport who was a friend of Leslie Riddle. The Carters also learned "On a Hill Lone and Gray," and "On My Way To Cannan's Land" from her.

Here's the earliest printed lyrics:

"WORKIN' ON THE BUILDING" recorded in Odum & Johnson, The Negro and His Songs (1925, p. 72).

If I wus a sinner man, I tell you what I'd do,
I'd lay down all my sinful ways an' work on the building too.

I'm workin' on the building fer my Lord,
Fer my Lord, fer my Lord,
I'm workin' on the building fer my Lord,
I'm workin' on the building, too.

If I wus a gamblin' man, I tell you what to do,
I'd lay down all my gamblin', an' work on the building, too.

If I was a 'ho'-munger, I tell you what to do,
I'd lay down all my munglin' and work on the building, too.

I'M WORKING ON A BUILDING- Carter Family

                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   For my lord, for my lord
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   For my lord, for my lord

               If I was a liar
               I tell you what I would do
               I would quit my lying
               And work on the building too

                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   For my lord, for my lord
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   For my lord, for my lord   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

               If I was a drunkard
               I'll tell you what I would do,
               I would quit my drinking
               And work on the building too

                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   For my lord, for my lord
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   For my lord, for my lord   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
               
               If I was a preacher
               Tell you what I would do,
               I would keep on preaching
               And work on the building too

                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   I'm working on a building
                   For my lord, for my lord
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   It's a holy ghost building
                   For my lord, for my lord

Subject: Lyr Add: IF ONE WON'T ANOTHER ONE WILL
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 11:36 AM

If One Won't Another One Will is known as "Lonesome (Stormy) Scenes of Winter, The" [Laws H12]. The song was collected by Belden in 1904. It's referenced to October, 1887 by Meade and appeares in Wehman's Collection of Songs.

If anyone has either the Belden or Wehman lyrics please post them. Here is a list of collections:

Belden, pp. 195-196, "The Lonesome Scenes of Winter" (1 text)
MHenry-Appalachians, pp. 136-137, "The Lonesome Scenes of Winter (All in the Scenes of Winter" (1 text)
Wyman-Brockway II, p. 94, "The Gonesome [sic] Scenes of Winter" (1 text, 1 tune)
Dean, pp. 108-109, "Lonesome Hours of Winter" (1 text)
Fowke/Johnston, pp. 156-157, "The Stormy Scenes of Winter" (1 text, 1 tune)
Fowke/MacMillan 57, "The Lonesome (Stormy) Scenes of Winter" (1 text, 1 tune)
McNeil-SFB1, pp. 127-129, "Lonesome Scenes of Winter" (1 text, 1 tune)
Shellans, pp. 38-39, "The Scornful Lover" (1 text, 1 tune)
Creighton/Senior, pp. 209-212,"Stormy Winds of Winter" (4 texts, 1 tune)
Creighton-SNewBrunswick 50, "The Stormy Winds of Winter" (2 texts, 2 tunes)
Peacock, pp. 445-446, "Flora" (1 text, 1 tune)

Some recordings:

Lewis McDaniel & Walter Smith: "I Went to See My Sweetheart" (Victor 23505, 1930; on ConstSor1)
Southern Melody Boys, "Lonesome Scenes of Winter" (Montgomery Ward 7227, 1937)

IF ONE WON'T ANOTHER ONE WILL- Carter Family 1932

I went one Sunday evening
My true love for to see
I asked her to marry
And she would not answer me [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

The night is almost spent
It is nearer the break of day
I'm waiting for an answer
Oh, what will you say [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Kind sir, if I must tell you
I'd choose the single life
I never thought it suited
For me to be your wife [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

In the course of six weeks later
This lady's mind did change
She wrote me a letter
Kind sir, I feel ashamed [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I feel as though I slighted you
I cannot hear you mourn
So here is my heart, come take it
And claim it as your own [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I wrote her back an answer
And sent it back in speed
I own that once I did love you
I loved you dear indeed [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

But then my mind has changed me
I seek another way
Upon some pretty fair maiden
My heart will have its sway [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Upon some pretty fair maiden
My heart shall have its fill
This world is wide and lonely
If one won't another one will

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LONELY SCENES OF WINTER (Belden)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 12:59 PM

Lyr. Add: THE LONELY SCENES OF WINTER
Sung by Tom Waters, 1904

1
Lonesome seems the winter
The chilling frost and snow;
Dark clouds around me hover;
The wind has ceased to blow.
2
I went the other evening
My true love for to see.
I asked her if she would marry me;
She would not answer me.
3
The little birds sing sweetly
Among every bush and vine.
My joys would be doubled
If only you were mine.
4
The chickens are a-crowing,
It's almost break of day.
I'm waiting for an answer;
Kind love, what will you say?
5
'If it is you that I must answer,
I choose a single life;
For I never thought it suited
For me to be your wife.
6
'So take this for an answer,
And for yourself provide.
For I have found a new sweetheart
And you are cast aside.'
7
About six weeks or more,
The lady's mind did change;
She wrote to me a letter,
Saying, 'Kind sir, I feel ashamed.
8
'I feel that I've forsaken you;
I cannot bear in mind.
So here's my heart, come take it
And claim it as your own.'
9
I wrote her back an answer,
I sent it off in speed;
'I loved you once, my darling,
I loved you once, indeed;
10
'But since you proved false-hearted
I've learned to love again.
I've found a new sweetheart
And you may do the same.'

Belden notes that the song has been found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Minnesota as well as in Missouri.
The version above: "No title, Taken down in 1904 by W. S. Johnson from the singing of Tom Waters, fiddler, in Tuscumbia, Miller County [MO]."
"A Newfoundland song, "Proud Nancy (FSN 47-51), has a like theme but little verbal resemblance." [Not in Peacock]

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 01:11 PM

"Lonesome Seems the Winter" collected also in Alabama: No. 3, pp. 47-48 with musical score. Coll. in 1952, but the singer "thinks she has been singing it for some forty years." Changes in some verses.
Ray B. Browne, 1979, "The Alabama Folk Lyric: A study ...," Bowling Green Univ. Press.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN A LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 06:11 PM

Thanks Q,

In a Little Village Churchyard was recorded in 1936 by the Carters.

Meade seperates the Carters song from a song with same title we can call "In a Little Village Churchyard- II" which is known as "Mother's Grave." It's from "Since My mother's Dead And Gone" by Phil Mowrey, Harry Percy. The other song is also known as "Old Village Churchyard" and "Since My Mother's Dead and Gone." The song was rewritten by Carson Robison in 1926.

Lomax collected it as "In this Old Gray Village Churchyard"
The Carters song is about a lover that's died, the other song is about a mother that's died. The Carters song is based on another song-what is it? I'd like to see other versions if anyone has them.


IN A LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
Carter Family Original

In a little village churchyard
There I see a grassy mound
There my sweetheart lies a-sleeping
In the cold and silent ground

Gently waves the weeping willow
Birds, they warble sweet and low
And there's no one left to love me
Since my sweetheart had to go

    In that little village churchyard
    There I stray with a broken heart
    There is no one left to love me
    Since the day we had to part
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

That sad day will I remember
When she called me to her side
How I watched her spirit fading
And the tears did blind my sight

Then she said, goodbye, my darling
Dry those teardrops from your eyes
Promise me, my little darling
That you'll meet me up on high

    In that little village churchyard
    There I stray with a broken heart
    There is no one left to love me
    Since the day we had to part
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oft I've wandered to the graveyard
Flowers to plant with tender care
O'er the grave of my dear darling
Darkness finds me weeping there

Subject: Lyr Add: VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 06:50 PM

Here's a version by Roscoe Holcomb from the DT:

VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
From Roscoe Holcomb's "The High Lonesome Sound". It states that the hymn is from "The Old Baptist Songbook"

In a dear old village churchyard
I can see a mossy mound
That is where my mother's sleeping
In the cold and silent ground

There in a weeping willow
Sweet little bird to sing at dawn
It's I've no one left to love me
Since my mother's dead and gone

I was young but I remember
Well the night my mother died
There I saw her spirit fading
When she called me to her side

Saying darling I must leave you
And God's voice to lead you on
Pray that we may meet in heaven
Where your mother's dead and gone

Oft I've wandered to the churchyard
Flowers to plant with tender care
On the grave of my dear mother
Darkness finds me weeping there

Looking at the stars above me
Waiting for the early dawn
There by mother I'll be buried
And no more be left alone

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 07:25 PM

Apparently the song is "In That Dear Old Village Churchyard" from Primitive Baptist Hymn Book and Tune Book (1918) compiled by Elder John Daily.

Anyone have access to that?

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE SHADOW OF CLINCH MOUNTAIN
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 08:38 PM

In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain was recorded in NYC in 1937. According to the Carters biography Sara sang the song to Jeanette, whether it's Sara's song or A.P.'s song and if it's based on another song I don't know. It seems like it could be a Carter original.

Anyone?

IN THE SHADOW OF CLINCH MOUNTAIN- Carter Family

Oh, I grew up on the side of Clinch Mountain
'Mid the beauty and the wonders of the woods
Where sweet songs from the bright, sunny fountain
And the warbles of the birds I understood

Then I asked how this green, lofty mountain
In the cavern of the lonely desert stood
Said the songs of the bright, sunny fountain
We are given by the waters of His love

    When I've sung my last song in the evening
    And the sun sets in the golden west
    All the scenes of this world I'll be leaving
    In the shadow of Clinch Mountain I will rest

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Through the gates I have passed now from childhood
O'er the railways to the valley of the west
Singing songs of the Clinch Mountain wildwood
Songs neighbors sang and birds still sang the best

    When I've sung my last song in the evening
    And the sun sets in the golden west
    All the scenes of this world I'll be leaving
    In the shadow of Clinch Mountain I will rest
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Long ago stood the oaks and the cedars
Singing sweetly in a whisper of the past
Stand they not now, those great towering leaders
Nor the fountain where their crystal gleams are cast

    When I've sung my last song in the evening
    And the sun sets in the golden west
    All the scenes of this world I'll be leaving
    In the shadow of Clinch Mountain I will rest

Subject: Lyr Add: IN A LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 08:58 PM

The song is around in several versions. From Wolf Folklore Collection (post-Carter, but?); 1st part the same, but the rest is different. The "weeping willow" is absent.

IN A LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCHYARD
(My Mother's Grave)

In a little village churchyard,
There I see a grassy mound.
There my mother lies a-sleeping
In the cold and silent ground.
She was sweet and kind and tender,
But oh, those tears I cannot drive away.
Oh, I never can forget her,
For I think of her each day.

Bright the flowers bloom around her,
When the warblers sing their song.
Still I sit so sad and lonely
Since my mother's dead and gone.
I was young, but I remember
That sad day my mother died.
And I set there softly weeping
When she called me to her side.
Then she told me she was going
To where the angels sit upon the throne,
And I know we'll meet in Heaven
When life's troubled race is done.

Mrs. Alice Isringhouse, Holly Grove, AK, 1959.

http://www.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/isringhousein1244.html

Just noted that they had "Baptist Monophonic and Heterophonic Hymnody in Southern Appalachia," an article readable through JSTOR which mentions the song. Is that legal? This is in reference to "Primitive Baptist Hymn Book and Tune Book," 1918, compiled by John Daily ($20-$25 at Abebooks). The article by William Talmadge is in "Anuario Interamericano de Investigacion Musical" vol. 11, 1975.


From "The Kentucky," Clark and Spelman:
"In all American music, there is no more downright melancholy than is to be found in the wailing chant of "The Village Churchyard." The ballad recites a long grief-stricken tale of a lone orphan child wringing its pale hands beside a mother's grave. The child moans:

In that dear old village churchyard,
I can see a grassy mound;
That is where my mother's sleeping,
In the cold and silent ground."

I can't tell if the authors are quoting from an old song or a 1930s cluster.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH
From: Richie
Date: 02 Dec 08 - 11:20 PM

In the Valley of the Shenandoah is another song that has virually no information about any source that I could find. Without more info we can just assume it's a song by AP Carter. Anyone?

Harry Fox Agency says the legal name of the song is "In the Valley of the Shenandoa," and the songwriter is A.P. Carter. Publisher is APRS, and the contact is Peermusic, www.peermusic.com.

IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH- Recorded Oct 14, 1941


As I sit alone tonight in the stillness of the night
I picture happy scenes of long ago
Of a maiden fair and bright who is seeping there tonight
In the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge

It was in the month of June when the roses were in bloom
When I held her in my arms and softly said
"Darling, in the coming spring I'll be coming back again
To the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge"

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When I left her all alone in her Shenandoah home
She promised she'd be waiting there for me
But the angels came along and took her from our home
From the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge

It was in the month of June when the roses were in bloom
When I held her in my arms and softly said
"Darling, in the coming spring I'll be coming back again
To the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge"

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When the evening shadows fall, in memory I recall
The pledge when I gave to her a ring
"Darling in the coming spring I'll be coming back again
To the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge"

It was in the month of June when the roses were in bloom
When I held her in my arms and softly said
"Darling, in the coming spring I'll be coming back again
To the valley of the Shenandoah Ridge"

Subject: Lyr Add: IT IS BETTER FARTHER ON
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:34 AM

It Is Better Farther On could be be based on the popular anonymous poem "A Song of Hope" also called "Farther On."

I hear it singing, sweetly singing,
Softly in an undertone;
Singing as if God had taught it,
"It is better farther on."


"It Is Better Farther On" is also a song found in The Evangelists' Songs of Praise, No. 2 By C. V. Strickland 1892

http://books.google.com/books?id=m-yRR4QMjC8C&pg=PA54&dq=%22It+Is+Better+Farther+On%22&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Clearly there are similarities. The Carters clearly is a rewrite of an older existing song (or songs):

Check out the Carters 3rd verse with this found as early as 1836:

I. Say, young soldier, are you weary
Of the roughness of the way?
Does your heart begin to fail you,
And your vigor to decay?

http://books.google.com/books?id=XvB0ERB2iHIC&pg=PA16&dq=And+your+vigor+to+decay&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

It's almost exactly the Carter's third verse.

IT IS BETTER FARTHER ON- Carter Family

As we travel through the desert
Storms beset us by the way
But beyond the river Jordan
Lies a field of endless day


Farther on, still go farther
Count the milestones one by one
Jesus will forsake you never
It is better farther on

Oh my brother are you weary
Of the roughness and the way
Does your strength begin to fail you
And your vigor to decay

At my grave, o still be singing
Though you weep for one that's gone
Sing it as we once did sing it
It is better farther on

Subject: Lyr Add: IT IS BETTER FARTHER ON
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:01 AM

This is the song. We saw in the last post that other verses came from other gospel songs.

IT IS BETTER FARTHER ON (1877) Trad. Arranged by L. Thompson (1911)

Hark! I hear Hope sweetly singing
Softly in an undertone,
Singing as if God had taught her,
"It is better farther on."

Night and day I hear her singing—
Singing while I sit alone,
Singing so my heart may hear it,
"It is better farther on."

When my faith took hold on Jesus,
Light divine within me shone,
And I know since that glad moment,
"It is better farther on."

I have plunged into the fountain,
Flowing free for everyone;
I am saved and Hope is singing,
"It is better farther on."

Farther on, but how much farther?
Count the milestones one by one;
No, no counting, only trusting—
"It is better farther on."

Rest, my soul, in hope forever,
all my doubts and fears are gone;
Jesus is my Savior, Keeper—
"It is better farther on."

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:25 AM

In the Valley of the Shenandoah" shares much with "When the Roses Were in Bloom," Bascom Lamar Lunsford, recorded for the American Folklife Center in 1935.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 09:04 PM

Q,

Please post some or all of Lunsford's lyrics. I don't have them. Somewhere I have his book, are they in his book?

Richie

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'LL AGGRAVATE YOUR SOUL
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 09:25 PM

It'll Aggravate Your Soul is a song, according to the Carter's Biography, that was written entirely by A.P. Carter even tho the first verse appears to be based on other lyrics.

It's one of the few songs AP sang solo and it was written during the time when he and Sara were seperated.

IT'LL AGGRAVATE YOUR SOUL Carter family- 1934

          Come all of you people take warning from me
          Don't take no girl to Tennessee
          For if you get married and don't agree
          It'll aggravate your soul

          We left Maces early in the night
          Expect to get married before daylight
          So many things happened to hinder our flight
          It aggravated my soul

          Arrived at The Bristol at 11 o'clock
          The parson was there right on the spot
          We found that the license had been forgot
          It aggravated my soul

          We went for the license in an automobile
          Run so fast couldn't see the wheel
          No on can explain how bad I did feel
          It aggravated my soul

          We stayed all night at The Bristol Hotel
          Just to make folks think we were swell
          Next morning they put it in the Bristol Herald
          It aggravated my soul

          And when the new style books comin' around
          She begins to get ready to go to town
          You know right then she's milliner shop bound
          It'll aggravate your soul

          She wants a new coat and a hobble skirt
          And you can't get in for the young un's and dirt
          And when she gets out, oh how she will flirt
          It'll aggravate your soul

          And when depressions gather round your head
          You'll think of what your dear old mother said   
          With a pain in you back and heart and head
          It'll aggravate your soul

          Now young men take warning from me
          Don't take no girl to Tennessee
          For if you get married and don't agree
          It'll aggravate your soul

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A LONG, LONG ROAD TO TRAVEL ALONE
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:05 PM

It's a Long Long Road to Travel Alone is a song attributed to Maybelle Carter.

In 1931 the copyright office registered "It's a long road to travel alone" words and music by BAD [pseud of Mrs. WH Do France]. Anyone know about this song?

IT'S A LONG, LONG ROAD TO TRAVEL ALONE- Carter Family 1940

I always thought I'd like to roam
One day I started alone
Out in this old wide wicked world
Away from friends and home

It's a long long road to travel alone
And when the day is gone
No place to pillow my head at night
Only on the cold cold stone

I've travelled around from town to town
Now it's time that I settled down
I've had my fill of rambling around
And now I am homeward bound

One day a letter came to me
And this is what it read
Come home my boy to the old homestead
Your father and mother are dead

It's been a long road to travel alone
I wish I had never roamed
I thought I'd soon see my mother and dad
But now I am left alone

Subject: Lyr Add: JEALOUS HEARTED ME
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:34 PM

Jealous Hearted Me is a blues recorded in 1936 by the Carters. See 12 Stringer's post above for Charley Lincoln [Hicks], "Jealous Hearted Blues," recorded in Atlanta for Columbia on 4 November 1927, mx 145103-2, released on Columbia 14305-D. Clearly this is a song the Carter's borrowed.

Charley Lincoln probably got his version from Ma Rainey's 1924 Jealous Hearted Blues. The song was copyrighted by Lovie Austin but the verses except for the first are traditional. Later the song was a rewrite hit with the title, "Evil Hearted Me."


Still more lyrics to "Jealous Hearted Me" come from recordings by Minnie Pearl, who squawked out this tune regularly:

You can have my coffee, you can have my tea
But just you let my feller be,
I"m jealous, jealous-hearted me
I'm just as jealous as I can be.

Now, I like victuals, sauerkraut
I take my mail on the rural route
I'm jealous,jealous-hearted me
I'm just as jealous as I can be.

Take your dominic rooster and your shanghai hen
Get a 'fer' piece away and don't you come again
I'm jealous, jealous-hearted me
I'm just as jealous as I can be.

JEALOUS HEARTED ME- Carter Family

Takes a rockin' chair to rock, takes a rubber ball to roll
Takes the man I love to satisfy my soul
Because I'm jealous, jealous hearted me
I said I'm jealous, jealous as I can be

Got a stove in the kitchen, and it bakes nice and brown
But I need a poppa to turn the damper down
Because I'm jealous, jealous hearted me
I said I'm jealous, jealous as I can be

You can have my money, you can have my home
But for goodness sakes, women, let my man alone
Because I'm jealous, jealous hearted me
I said I'm jealous, jealous as I can be

Gonna buy me a bulldog to watch while I sleep
To watch that man of mine on his midnight creep
Because I'm jealous, jealous hearted me
I said I'm jealous, jealous as I can be

Subject: Lyr Add: JIM BLAKE'S MESSAGE
From: Richie
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:44 PM

Jim Blake's Message was an event song from the king of the event song writers Carson Robison with Peter Condon- lyrics in 1927. Carson would put out a song immediately after some tragedy occured and his buddy and partner Vernon Dalhart would record the song. In this case the lyrics are based on a tradtional song from around 1900 that Condon knew.

The lyrics were first printed in a 1910 issue of "Railroad Man's Magazine" after a request for the lyrics in 1909.

The Carters probably added "Message" to the "Jim Blake" title to avoid copyright problems.

From Charles K. Wolfe: Jim Blake's Message is, according to Sara, from a ballet they got "out toward Kentucky." This performance, as well as a transcript and song history, is presented in Norm Cohen's 'Long Steel Rail: The Railroad in American Folksong.' His research has dated the song to the 1890s, but no one seems to know if it was based on a true experience or not. A.P. copyrighted his version of the song on January 5, 1938 - almost six months after he recorded it.

JIM BLAKE'S MESSAGE- The Carter Family, June 17, 1937

"Jim Blake, your wife is dying!"
Went over the wires tonight
The message was brought to the depot
By a lad all trembling with fright
He entered the office crying
His face was terribly white
"Send this message to dad and his engine
Mother is dying tonight!"

In something less than an hour
Jim's answer back to me flew
"Tell wife I'll be there at midnight
I'm praying for her too."
I left my son in the office
Took the message to Jim's wife
There found the dying woman
Was scarce of breath and life.

O'er hill and dale and valley
Thunders the heavy train
It's engine is sobbing and throbbing
And under a terrible strain
But Jim hangs on to his throttle
Guiding her crazy flight
And his voice cries out in the darkness
"God speed the Express tonight!"

I telephoned the doctor
"How is Jim's wife?" I ask
"About the hour of midnight
Is long as she can last!"
In something less than an hour
The train will be along
But here I have a message
Oh God, there is something wrong!

The message reads, "Disaster!
The train is in the ditch
The engineer is dying
Derailed by an open switch."
And there's another message
To Jim's wife it is addressed,
"I'll meet her at midnight in Heaven
Don't wait for the fast Express!"

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:59 PM

"When the roses were in bloom, Lunceford, 1935, is an index card at the library of Congress. I don't have the recording.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:01 AM

Lunsford, that is.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 04:11 AM

There are quite a few roses bloom songs like "When the roses bloom Again" etc. There are some that use the month of June when the roses were in bloom.

It's a possible angle, we need more. Anyone?