Lyr Req: Poor Orphan Child (Carter Family)

Subject: LYR REQ: Savior lead them by the hand
From: Chet W.
Date: 12 Jul 98 - 09:34 PM

I heard this one sung years ago sung by John McCutcheon. He said it was a Carter Family song. I've been unable to find it. I'd appreciate it if someone would post the lyrics, and/or lead me to a currently available Carter recording of it. The chorus goes:

>Savior lead them by the hand (3 times) >Til they all reach that glittering strand

Thanks in advance, Chet W.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Savior lead them by the hand
From: Dale Rose
Date: 12 Jul 98 - 10:16 PM

The song you want is The Poor Orphan Child. It is on Volume One of the Complete Carter Family Victor Recordings on Rounder 1064, "Anchored In Love". It was the third song they ever recorded, but was the first to be released.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Savior lead them by the hand
From: Ferrara
Date: 13 Jul 98 - 10:35 PM

I think the song is on the Evolution Girl album by the Double Decker String Band. One of their albums, anyway.

Subject: Lyr Add: POOR ORPHAN CHILD (Carter Family)
From:
Date: 13 Jul 98 - 11:39 PM

POOR ORPHAN CHILD

I hear a low, sad voice that says,
"Papa and Mama are dead."
And it comes from the poor orphan child
Who must be clothed and fed
It comes from the poor orphan child
Who must be clothed and fed
It comes from the poor orphan child
Who must be clothed and fed.

Chorus:

Saviour lead them by the hand
Gently lead them by the hand
Saviour lead them by the hand
Till they all reach that glittering strand

But now we see those golden curls
Lie careless on the ground
As if to say that papa's dead
And I've no mother now
As if to say that papa's dead
And I've no mother now
As if to say that papa's dead
And I've no mother now

Oh, Saviour, bless the orphan child,
Wherever he may roam
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphans' home.
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphans' home.
Bless every hand that lends them aid
And bless the orphans' home.

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Savior lead them by the hand
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 10:51 PM

Seems to me the Carter Family included this verse as well:

Oh pity that poor orphan child Poor little boys and girls Who once had mother's loving hands To smooth their golden curls Who once. . .

Pete Peterson

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Savior lead them by the hand
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 16 Jul 98 - 10:52 PM

Seems to me the Carter Family included this verse as well:

Oh pity that poor orphan child Poor little boys and girls Who once had mother's loving hands To smooth their golden curls Who once. . .

Pete Peterson