Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STORMS ARE ON THE OCEAN
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 06:08 PM

Storms Are on the Ocean is the Carters beautiful rendition of a variant of the large True Lover's Farewell folk song family originating in British Isles. The songs are often called: "Fare You Well, My Own True Love" and the "Ten Thousand Miles" songs. The first collected version in the US is 1906 (Belden). Other sets of lyrics were collected in 1916 and 1917 by Cecil Sharp; he titled the songs "True Lover's Farewell."

The Carters first verse, the "if I go ten thousand miles" is found in Sharp No. 114 A.

The second and third verses also in Sharp 114 A are from English "The Lass of Roch Royal" or "Lord Gregory" (Child #76):

Oh, who will dress your pretty little feet
Oh, who will glove your hand
Who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
When I'm in the far off land

In fact the whole song except for the chorus is found in Sharp 114 A. Only the chorus is distinct.Here are some recordings:

The Carter Family, "The Storms Are On the Ocean" (Victor 20937, 1927); (Okeh 03160, 1936)
A. P. Carter Family, "Storms are on the Ocean" (Acme 993, c. 1949)
Delmore Brothers, "The Storms Are On the Ocean" (Bluebird B-8613, 1941)
Aunt Molly Jackson, "Ten Thousand Miles" (AFS, 1939; on LC02)
Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "Little Turtle Dove" (Brunswick 229, 1928; on BLLunsford01; a composite of all sorts of floating verses, a few of which may be from this song)
Lewis McDaniel & Gid Smith, "It's Hard to Leave You, Sweet Love" (Victor 40287, c. 1929)
Neil Morris, "The Lass of Loch Royale" (on LomaxCD1701)
New Lost City Ramblers, "It's Hard to Leave You, Sweet Love" (on NLCR16)
Jean Ritchie & Doc Watson, "Storms Are On the Ocean" (on RitchieWatson1, RitchiteWatsonCD1)
[Leonard] Rutherford & [John] Foster, "Storms May Rule the Ocean" (Gennett, rec. 1929; on KMM)
Ruby Vass "10,000 Miles" (on Persis1)

THE STORMS ARE ON THE OCEAN- Carter Family 1927 and 1935

I'm going away to leave you, love
I'm going away for a while
But I'll return to you some time
If I go 10,000 miles

    The storms are on the ocean
    The heavens may cease to be
    This world may lose its motion, love
    If I prove false to thee

Oh, who will dress your pretty little feet
Oh, who will glove your hand
Who will kiss your rosy red cheeks
When I'm in the far off land

    The storms are on the ocean
    The heavens may cease to be
    This world may lose its motion, love
    If I prove false to thee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, papa will dress my pretty little feet
And mama will glove my hand
You can kiss my rosy red cheeks
When you return again

    The storms are on the ocean
    The heavens may cease to be
    This world may lose its motion, love
    If I prove false to thee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, have you seen those lonesome doves
Flying from pine to pine
A-mourning for their own true loves
Just like I mourn for mine

    The storms are on the ocean
    The heavens may cease to be
    This world may lose its motion, love
    If I prove false to thee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I'll never go back on the ocean, love
I'll never go back on the sea
I'll never go back on the blue-eyed girl
Till she goes back on me
    [CHORUS]

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SUN OF THE SOUL
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 06:31 PM

Sun of the Soul is from a 1917 Southern gospel song by Curtis Williams titled "When the Lights Have gone Out In Your Soul."

It was first recorded in 1927 by Ernest Phipps and his Congregation for Victor "If the Lights Gone Out of Your Soul." Peer probably knew about the Phipps recording and let the Carters record the song with a different title, a common practice to avoid copyright and royalty issues. teh Carters made their version in 1932.

THE SUN OF THE SOUL- Carter Family 1932

               When the sun of your life has gone down
               And the clouds in the west turn to gold
               Endless death will to you then have come
               If the light has gone out in your soul

                   Oh, just think how in death you would feel
                   With the light growing dim in your soul
                   Oh, how lonely it will be, oh, how still
                   If the light has gone out in your soul
                   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

               When you come to the end of the way
               And life's story for you has been told
               Oh, how sad all to you will appear
               If the light has gone out in your soul

                   Oh, just think how in death you would feel
                   With the light growing dim in your soul
                   Oh, how lonely it will be, oh, how still
                   If the light has gone out in your soul
                   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

               When the chilly winds of death around you steal
               And the sweat upon your brow is damp and cold
               What a dread in your life you would feel
               If the light has gone out in your soul

               When before the judgement bier you shall stand
               And your deeds of you have been trolled
               Good and evil appears, oh, what then
               If the light has gone out in your soul
                   Oh, just think how in death you would feel
                   With the light growing dim in your soul
                   Oh, how lonely it will be, oh, how still
                   If the light has gone out in your soul

Subject: Lyr Add: SUNSHINE IN THE SHADOWS
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 07:04 PM

Sunshine in the Shadows is the song "Heavenly Sunshine" by Lucy Eddie Campbell from Duck Hill Mississippi, who taught at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis.

http://www.memphishistory.org/TheChurch/TheBaptistChurch/LucieCampbell/tabid/151/Default.aspx

It was first recorded by Laura Henton I presume in the 1920s. The Carters probably got this African-American gospel song from Leslie Riddle or Pauline Gray.

SUNSHINE IN THE SHADOWS
Carter family- Original

When our hearts are bowed in sorrow
And it seems all help is gone
Jesus whispers do not falter
I will leave you not alone
Then somehow amidst my trials
How it is I cannot see
Then I hear a voice from heaven
Gently saying follow me

    There is sunshine in the shadows
    There is sunshine in the rain
    There is sunshine in our sorrows
    Though our hearts are filled with pain
    There is sunshine when we're burdened
    There is sunshine when we pray
    There is sunshine, heavenly sunshine
    Blessed sunshine all the way

Sometimes my friends forsake me
And I'm tempted to despair
Then I think of my dear savior
Who lay his head, his head nowhere
Oh, it pays to follow Jesus
Just to learn of him each day
And I'll guarantee you, my brother
You'll have sunshine all the way

    There is sunshine in the shadows
    There is sunshine in the rain
    There is sunshine in our sorrows
    Though our hearts are filled with pain
    There is sunshine when we're burdened
    There is sunshine when we pray
    There is sunshine, heavenly sunshine
    Blessed sunshine all the way

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET AS THE FLOWERS IN MAY TIME
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:31 PM

Sweet as the Flowers in May Time is a traditional song usually known as "My Mother/Mama Scolds Me For Flirting." It was first recorded by the Carolina Tar Heels in 1927.

Randolph collected a version learned prior to 1900. The Carters extra verse is taken from the chorus of the 1867 song "Where There's A Will There's A Way."

SWEET AS THE FLOWERS IN MAY TIME- Carter Family 1932

    Sweet as the flowers in May time
    Sweet as the dew on the rose
    I would rather be somebody's darling
    As a poor girl who nobody knows

Oh, mama scolds me for flirting
What is as a poor girl to do
Oh, this world would be sad without a lover
And this world would be sad without you
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, I wish I had someone to love me
Someone just to call me their own
Be the rule over somebody's kitchen
Or the queen over somebody's home

    Sweet as the flowers in May time
    Sweet as the dew on the rose
    I would rather be somebody's darling
    As a poor girl who nobody knows
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, what is the use of us parting
Wherever there's a will, there's a way
Tomorrow the sun may be shining
Although it is cloudy today

    Sweet as the flowers in May time
    Sweet as the dew on the rose
    I would rather be somebody's darling
    As a poor girl who nobody knows

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET FERN (Carter Family)
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 09:03 PM

According to Charles Wolfe "Sweet Fern was a song AP found in his collecting trips into the east Tennessee hills; more commonly known as Sweet Bird, it was written and copyrighted in 1876 by Thomas Westendorf and George Persley. It shows up in a number of southern folksong collections and had even been recorded the year before (1928) by West Virginia singers Orville Reed and Richard Harold.

According to the Meade, Spottswood and Meade discography 'Country Music Sources', Fred Pendleton and Arville Reed recorded 'Sweet Bird' as a vocal duet under their own names in December 1927 and as The Virginia Night Owls in March 1928. Sid Harkreader and Grady Moore also recorded it in March 1928. Richard Harold recorded it in October 1928 with guitar and fiddle backing, but musicians names were not listed. The Carters issued recordings under the 'Sweet Fern' title in 1929 (twice), 1935 and 1936. Fields Ward and His Grayson County Railsplitters also recorded a version in 1929 under the title 'The Birds Are Returning'. There were several recordings in the 1930s under a variety of titles by Bob Cranford and A.P. Thompson (1931), Sweet Violet Boys (Prairie Ramblers) (1936), Aunt Idy Harper and the Coon Creek Girls (1938) and (Charlie) Monroe's Boys (1939).

The Carter's biographers Mark Zwonitzer and Chas. Hirshberg report in "Will You Miss Me when I'm Gone":

"meanwhile Gladys (AP and Sara's daughter) always insisted her father authored the song. "I can tell you where Daddy wrote a song one time." she said in 1990. "Right over behind the house here. The blackberries were ripe. . . and there's a little old bird up in the tree a-singin' and Daddy was a-throwin berries,and he come back-- Sweet Fern. He got the tune to it from that bird a-singin' to him and (the berries a-hittin' the bucket. And he come back and said "Sary,I thought up a song, and he wrote it and they made that record."
'the historian and the daughter are probably both right, in a way. Like as not, AP did get some lyrics for Sweet Bird. . . and like as not, he did get the idea for the call-and-response arrangement from his blackberry expedition. And like as not, Sara and Maybelle took AP's notion and remade the melody and instrumentals into something barely suggested by the old sheet music."

SWEET FERN- Carter Family 1929

Springtime is coming sweet lonesome bird,
Your echo in the woodland I hear;
Down in the meadow so lonesome you're singing,
While the moonlight is shining so clear.

Chorus: But I know he's away in a far distant land,
A land that's far over the sea;
Go fly to him singing your sweet little song,
And tell him to come back to me.
Sweet Fern, Sweet Fern,
Oh, tell me is my darling still true;
Sweet Fern, Sweet Fern,
I'll be just as happy as you.

Yodel: O-dell-eeho-eeho-layhee, edell-leo-leo-layhee,
Ay-leo-lay-dee-hee-oh-leolayhee.

2. Oh tell me sweet fern is he thinking of me
and the promise we made long ago;
He said he'd return from far over the sea
oh why do the years go so slow. Chorus/Yodel

3. And upon my finger he placed a small ring
on the day he was leaving his home;
I said I would be his own dear little girl
and would love him wherever he'd roam. Chorus/Yodel

Subject: Lyr Add: SWEET HEAVEN IN MY VIEW
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 09:26 PM

Sweet Heaven in My View is a spiritual from both the African-American and white tradition usually known as "Heaven in my View" and "Got Heaven in my View."

"Heaven in my View" was first recorded in 1926 by Sam Butler and later the same year by the Biddleville Quintette. The song was recorded 7 times before the Carters 1936 recording.

According to the Carters biography the song was an old hymn sung at holiness revivals years before that Maybelle remembered.
The "Sweet" prefix was probably added the title and chorus to prevent copyright issues and make the song more their own.


SWEET HEAVEN IN MY VIEW- Carter Family 1936

    Got sweet heaven in my view, hallelujah
    On my journey I press on, praise the Lord
    For I'm bound for that holy city
    Got sweet heaven in my view

Oh, my mother, she died and left me
I'm alone in this world, I'm alone
And my father, he won't own me
Got to find me another home

    Got sweet heaven in my view, hallelujah
    On my journey I press on, praise the Lord
    For I'm bound for that holy city
    Got sweet heaven in my view

Oh, you need not talk about me
Just because I am crippled and blind
For I've got my ticket purchased
I've reach heaven just on time

    Got sweet heaven in my view, hallelujah
    On my journey I press on, praise the Lord
    For I'm bound for that holy city
    Got sweet heaven in my view
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

And when I get to heaven
Take a seat and set right down
Looking up to my heavenly father
Looking for a robe and a crown

    Got sweet heaven in my view, hallelujah
    On my journey I press on, praise the Lord
    For I'm bound for that holy city
    Got sweet heaven in my view

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 09:50 PM

We need other versions of "Heaven in my View" for now we'll move on to the T-We title songs:

Tell Me That You Loved Me;
There'll Be Joy, Joy, Joy;
There'll Be No Distinction There;
There's No Hiding Place Down Here;
There's No One Like Mother to Me;
There's Someone Awaiting for Me;
They Call Her Mother;
This Is Like Heaven to Me;
Two Sweethearts;
Wabash Cannonball;
Walking in the King's Highway;
Wandering Boy; Wave on the Sea;
Wayworn Traveler;
We Will March Through the Streets of the City;
We Shall Rise;
Weary Prodigal Son;
Western Hobo;

Anyone?

Subject: Lyr Add: TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:01 PM

Tell Me That You Loved Me is a song by Will S. Hayes written in 1866 that's titled "We Parted By The Riverside." The sheet music is at the Levy Collection which can't be linked.

The Carters title was probably to prevent copyright/royalty problems as the song had already been recorded by Stoneman and then Kincaid as "We Parted By The Riverside."

TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME- Carter Family 1932

               We parted by the riverside
               The moon looked down on you and me
               The stars put on a look of pride
               The river murmured to the sea

               The dew drops kissed the blushing rose
               The mournful winds did sigh
               One word broke nature's sweet repose
               That sad word was goodbye

                   Oh, tell me that you love me yet
                   For, oh, this parting gives me pain
                   Please tell me that you'll not forget
                   For we may never meet again

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

               We parted by the riverside
               Though I have roamed in distant climes
               My heart has not forgot its pride
               For I have loved you all the time

               And I am faithful to you still
               As long as you are true
               Let fate bring to me what it will
               For I love you, only you

                   Oh, tell me that you love me yet
                   For, oh, this parting gives me pain
                   Please tell me that you'll not forget
                   For we may never meet again

                   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

                   Oh, tell me that you love me yet
                   For, oh, this parting gives me pain
                   Please tell me that you'll not forget
                   For we may never meet again

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'LL BE JOY, JOY, JOY
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:46 PM

There'll Be Joy, Joy, Joy is a spiritual usually known as "In My Father's House." It was recorded first by the Four Wanderers in 1929.
A version (In My Father's House) is printed in Carl Sandburg's American Songbag, Harcourt, Sof (1955/1928), p483.

A version titled "There'll Be No Liars There" was recorded in 1927 by the Hickory Nuts. If anyone has any versions please post one for comparison.


THERE'LL BE JOY, JOY, JOY- Carter Family 1934

There'll be joy, joy, joy
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
There'll be joy, joy, joy
Up in my father's house
Where there's peace, sweet peace

We will all be happy there
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
We will all be happy there
Up in my father's house
Where there's peace, sweet peace
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

There'll be no drunkards there
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
There'll be no drunkards there
Up in my father's house
Where there's peace, sweet peace

Don't you want to go up there
Up to my father's house
Up to my father's house
Up to my father's house
Don't you want to go up there
Up to my father's house
Where there's peace, sweet peace

We will all be as one
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
We will all be as one
Up in my father's house
Where there's peace, sweet peace

There'll be joy, joy, joy
Up in my father's house
Up in my father's house
There'll be joy, joy, joy
Up in my father's house
Where there's peace, wonderful peace

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'LL BE NO DISTINCTION THERE
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:59 PM

There'll Be No Distinction There comes from Blind Alfred Reed in 1929. The Carters recorded their version in 1940. Here's some info and Blind Alfred Reed's lyrics:

THERE'LL BE NO DISTINCTION THERE
(Blind Alfred Reed) (1929)

There'll be no sorrow on that heavenly shore,
There'll be no woes at the cabin door.
We'll all be wealthy and the poor will all be there,
We'll be rich and happy in that land bright and fair,
There'll be no distinction there.

There'll be no distinction there,
There'll be no distinction there,
For the Lord is just and the Lord is right,
And we'll all be white in that heavenly light,
There'll be no distinction there.

In the same kind of raiment and the same kind of shoes,
We'll all sit together in the same kind of pews,
The whites and the colored folks, the gentiles and the Jews,
We'll praise the Lord together and there'll be no drinking booze,
There'll be no distinction there.

Oh when we get to heaven, we will know and understand;
No woman will be flirting with another woman's man.
There'll be no trouble in that holy happy land;
We'll play on golden instruments and shout to beat the band,
There'll be no distinction there.

We're never blue in heaven, nothing there to wreck the mind;
Everybody is our neighbor, all the folks are good and kind.
No aggravating women there to boss the men around;
When we enter into heaven, we will wear a golden crown,
There'll be no distinction there.

This song was recorded by Blind Alfred Reed with Arville Reed in New York, NY, 3 Dec 1929 and released as RCA VICTOR Vi 23550/BLUEBIRD Bb 5882. It is related in topic to A. P. Carter's "NO DEPRESSION IN HEAVEN." THE ORIGINAL CARTER FAMILY subsequently also recorded the first two verses of Reed's song with one additional verse not to be found in Reed's version (Chicago, IL, Thursday, 3 Oct 1940; OKEH OK 05982/CONQUEROR Cq 9572). Lyrics as reprinted in liner notes for "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live?" Rounder 1001, 1972

---

THERE'LL BE NO DISTINCTION
(Carter Family 1940)

There will be no more sorrow on that heavenly shore
There'll be no wolfs a howlin' near the old cabin door
We will all be quite wealthy and there'll be no more poor
When we all get together on that heavenly shore

CHORUS: There'll be no distinction there (over there)
There'll be no distinction there
For the lord am just and the lord am right
And we'll all be white in the heavenly light
There'll be no distinction there

In the same kind of raiment in the same kind of shoes
We will all sit together in the same kind of pews
The white folks and the colored the gentile and the Jews
They will all be so happy that they doesn't refuse

They tell me up in heaven we will all be as one
And we'll all sing together when the life's crown is won
Our fathers and our mothers and sisters will be there
For they tell me up in heaven no distinction there

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S NO HIDING PLACE DOWN HERE
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 11:17 PM

There's No Hiding Place Down Here (No Hiding Place) is another spiritual first recorded by the Famous Jubilee Singers in 1927. The probable source is the Carter's African-American contacts Leslie Riddle and Pauline Gray.

For comparison below the Carters is a 1928 printed version:

THERE'S NO HIDING PLACE DOWN HERE- Carter Family 1934

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Sister Mary she wears a golden chain
Sister Mary she wears a golden chain
Sister Mary wears the golden chain
There's every link in Jesus' name
There's no hiding place down here

    There's no hiding place down here
    There's no hiding place down here
    Well, I run to the rock just to hide my face
    And the rocks cried out, no hiding place
    There's no hiding place down here
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I'll pitch my tent on the old campground
I'll pitch my tent on the old campground
I'll pitch my tent on the old campground
I'll give Satan one more round
There's no hiding place down here

    There's no hiding place down here
    There's no hiding place down here
    Well, I run to the rock just to hide my face
    And the rocks cried out, no hiding place
    There's no hiding place down here
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, the Devil wears a hypocrite's shoe
The Devil wears a hypocrite's shoe
The Devil wears a hypocrite's shoe
And if you don't watch out he'll slip it on you
There's no hiding place down here

    There's no hiding place down here
    There's no hiding place down here
    Well, I run to the rock just to hide my face
    And the rocks cried out, no hiding place
    There's no hiding place down here

NO HIDING-PLACE DOWN THERE N. I. White, 1928 (1965) American Negro Folk-Songs, p. 121-122, no music.


Went down to the rocks to hide my face, (3 times)
The rocks cried out no hiding-place,
No hiding-place down there.

Pharoah's daughter lookin' for roses, (3 times)
Stumpted her toe and fell over Moses,
No hiding-place down there.

Sister Mary wears a golden chain, (3 times)
And every link's in Jesus name,
No hiding-place down there.

Sinnaman sitting on the gates of hell, (3 times)
The gates flew open and in he fell,
No hiding-place down there.

Sinnaman row your boat one side, (3 times)
Cause you can't get to heaven on the ebbing tide,
No hiding-place down there.

Cause hell is deep and hell is wide, (3 times)
You can't touch the bottom and you can't touch the side,
No hiding-place down there.

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S NO ONE LIKE MOTHER TO ME
From: Richie
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 11:26 PM

According to the Carters biographers "There's No One Like Mother to Me" is word for word as poem Maybelle cut out of a magazine.

The poem was actually a "pretty home song" by Charles A. Davies published in 1877 by JC GROENE & Co., 24 and 42 Arcade, Cincinnati, O.

THERE'S NO ONE LIKE MOTHER TO ME- Carter Family 1936

Sadly I'm thinking tonight
Thinking of the sweet by and by
Memories of childhood so bright
Come back like a dream with a sigh

I've been thinking of friends and of home
In that cottage far over the sea
No matter wherever I roam
There's no one like mother to me

    There's no one like mother to me
    No matter how poor she may be
    I'll go back to that home o'er the sea
    There's no one like mother to me
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When I left that old home o'er the sea
I kissed them goodbye at the gate
Somebody whispered to me
A loving voice asked me to wait

Her blessing she gave with a smile
And tears on her cheeks I could see
How often that sweet face I've missed
There's no one like mother to me

    There's no one like mother to me
    No matter how poor she may be
    I'll go back to that home o'er the sea
    There's no one like mother to me
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

    There's no one like mother to me
    No matter how poor she may be
    I'll go back to that home o'er the sea
    There's no one like mother to me

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 12:00 AM

Curiously Gussie Davies published the song in 1885:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1885/25900/25967/mussm25967.db&recNum=1&itemLink=D?mussm:1:./tem

Obviously the songs are the same. Looks like Charles L. Davies was Gussie L. Davies? Interesting!

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S SOMEONE WAITING FOR ME
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 12:29 AM

There's Someone A-Waiting for Me (There's Somebody Waiting For Me) is from an unknown parlor song that Meade says is pre-1861. It was collected by Randolph from back in the 1890s:

http://books.google.com/books?id=g3JtLNe3nroC&pg=PA216&lpg=PA217&dq=THERE%27S+SOMEbody+WAITING+FOR+ME&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

This should not be confused with the Von Tilzer song by the same title from 1902. I'll look at this again.

THERE'S SOMEONE WAITING FOR ME- Carter family

All the people of today, they are going far away
To the mountains, the lakes, or the sea
There's a little spot out west that I always loved the best
And there's someone a-waiting for me

    She'll be happy (She'll be happy)
    She'll be free (She'll be free
    When she wanders alone with me
    It'll be getting quite late
    When I meet her at the gate
    And there's someone a-waiting for me
    Yodel-ay-ee, oh-ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
    Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, oh-ah-lay
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

There's birds in every tree and they sing among the breeze
But there's none so happy as me
I am going out west and there I'll do my best
To build a little home for you and me

    She'll be happy (She'll be happy)
    She'll be free (She'll be free
    When she wanders alone with me
    It'll be getting quite late
    When I meet her at the gate
    And there's someone a-waiting for me
    Yodel-ay-ee, oh-ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
    Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, oh-ah-lay
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, the birds that fly above singing dear songs of love
O'er the meadows, the valleys so deep
Their voices so sweet that they sing me to sleep
For I know my darling will not weep

    She'll be happy (She'll be happy)
    She'll be free (She'll be free
    When she wanders alone with me
    It'll be getting quite late
    When I meet her at the gate
    And there's someone a-waiting for me
    Yodel-ay-ee, oh-ah-lee-oh-lay-ee
    Ah-lee-oh-lay-ee, oh-ah-lay
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family son
From: Artful Codger
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:00 AM

This is very welcome information!

However, a caveat:
Unless you enjoy litigation, bear in mind that the Carters altered many of the songs they sang not only to fit their particular style, but expressly to make their arrangements copyrightable--they were urged to do this by Ralph Peer, their agent/manager. Granted, A.P.'s copyrights often infringed on the copyrights of others, whether intentionally or not; that is now immaterial. In preparing a song, the Carters frequently changed melody lines, chord progressions and lyrics; these changes are identifiable enough that a court might easily detect the Carters' still-copyrighted contributions in your arrangements, unless you derived directly from original or p.d. materials.

In short, in most cases, you'll still need to credit the Carters as well as the original authors, and respect their copyrights, however questionable.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family son
From: Artful Codger
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:47 AM

Richie: SJLibrary.org (the San Jose Library catalog) has an entry for "There's No One Like Mother To Me!" (no date listed), with "Davies, Charles" given as both composer and lyricist. And you can find a couple pieces of music by Charles A. Davies at the Levy site, dated 1885 and 1886, though not the piece in question.

But Gussie Lord Davis is clearly credited with writing both words and music for the 1885 "There's No One Like Mother To Me", and he was famous for writing tear-jerkers like this. The similarity of his words to the Carters' version is undeniable; I haven't checked the tunes. It's improbable he first wrote and published the song as "Davies" in 1877, when he would only have been 13 or 14. And note that Davis's song title lacks an exclamation mark, while Davies' has one.

So it appears there might be two songs with the same title, written by composers with similar surnames. It would be interesting for someone in San Jose to compare the library copy against the scan of Davis's song.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:39 AM

Thanks artful Codger,

Many of the copyrights on early country music songs are not invalid, just because someone copyrighted a song that was not theirs doesn't mean they own the song.

They don't own the arrangement if they took the arrangement from someone else. The fact that a few words or the title were changed to avoid copyright infringement doesn't make it valid.

Now the copyright date is frozen at 1923 because of the Sony Bono law.
Copyright lawyers and huge corporations are intimidating us and preventing the fair use of many songs.

Peresonally I think it's wrong.

Richie

Subject: Lyr Add: THEY CALL HER MOTHER
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:11 PM

They Call Her Mother is 1938 song by The Carters that probably is written by A.P. Carter. The lyrics and style are similar to something he would write.

THEY CALL HER MOTHER- Carter Family 1938

There's a store by the road in the country
Among the hills where the evergreens grow
In that store by the road there's a woman
Who is different from others I know

Now her irony-gray hair's turned to silver
And her kind eyes are ever soft and blue
Always she has a kind word for others
And a smile ever waiting for you
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

She's adored for her sunny disposition
By the women, the children and men
In all the neighboring hills they call her Mother
For she's really a mother dear to them

She is cheerful like the birds in the cedars
She is modest like the songs that they sing
In the hills nearby they call her Mother
For she's really a mother true to them
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
When the clouds hang low on the mountain
And the pines are bent low by the snow
Neighbors go to that store by the roadside
It's a place that they all love to go

Some go there to play cards at the table
Some just sit by the warm, cheering fire
And dear Mother with kind disposition
Finds a way to make all happy there

She's adored for her sunny disposition
By the women, the children and the men
In all the neighboring hills they call her Mother
For she's really a mother dear to them

Subject: Lyr Add: THIS IS LIKE HEAVEN TO ME
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:18 PM

This Is Like Heaven to Me is taken from J.E. French's gospel song with the same title in 1903.

Here's the sheet music:
http://books.google.com/books?id=AQMca_ptzbMC&pg=PA58&dq=%22This+Is+Like+Heaven+to+Me%22&lr=&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES&ie=ISO-8859


THIS IS LIKE HEAVEN TO ME- Carter Family 1933

I find many people who can't understand
Why I'm so happy and free
I've crossed over Jordan to Canaan's fair land
And this is like heaven to me

    Oh, this is like heaven to me
    Yes, this is like heaven to me
    I've crossed over Jordan to Canaan's fair land
    And this is like heaven to me
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I've heard the sweet music, the heavenly chords
From gloryland over the sea
The soul-thrilling message from Jesus, my Lord
And this is like heaven to me

    Oh, this is like heaven to me
    Yes, this is like heaven to me
    The soul-thrilling message from Jesus, my Lord
    And this is like heaven to me
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I'm looking for Jesus in glory to come
From glory land over the sea
A cloud of bright angels to carry me home
And that will be heaven to me

    Oh, that will be heaven to me
    Yes, that will be heaven to me
    A cloud of bright angels to carry me home
    And that will be heaven to me

Subject: Lyr Add: TWO SWEETHEARTS
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:40 PM

Two Sweethearts is a popular parlor song from Moran and Helf in 1897. The Carters made the 8th country recording in 1932.

TWO SWEETHEARTS- Carter Family 1932

A crowd of young fellows one night at a ball
Were telling of sweethearts they had
All seemed jolly except one lad
Who seemed downhearted and sad
Come join us, Ned, his comrades then said
Surely some girl has loved you
Then raising his head, proudly he said
I'm in love with two

    One has hair of silver-gray
    The other one is just like gold
    One is young and youthful, too
    The other one is aged and old
    But dearer than life are they both to me
    From neither would I part
    One is my mother, God bless her, I love her
    The other one is my sweetheart
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

My sweetheart is a poor working girl
I'm determined to wed
Father said no, 'twill never be so
You must marry an heiress instead
Mother was young, she knows how it is
When father met her she was poor
Ned, don't fret, she'll be your wife yet
For he will consent, I am sure

    One has hair of silver-gray
    The other one is just like gold
    One is young and youthful, too
    The other one is aged and old
    But dearer than life are they both to me
    From neither would I part
    One is my mother, God bless her, I love her
    The other one is my sweetheart

Subject: Lyr Add: WABASH CANNONBALL
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM

Wabash Cannonball is originally from "The Great Rock Island Route" credited to J. A. Roff in 1882. It rewritten in 1904 as "Wabash Cannon Ball," perhaps by William Kindt, who copyrighted it. Cohen suspects the rewrite preceded Kindt's 1904 publication, and common tune is not the same as either Roff's or Kindt's.

The Carters 1929 recording was very popular until Roy Acuff adopted the song when he played it on the Grande Ole Opry circa 1939.
I never like the way the Carters and others rhymed "shore" with "shore" in the opening verse.

WABASH CANNONBALL- Carter Family 1929

Out from the wide Pacific to the broad Atlantic shore
She climbs flowery mountains over hills and by the shore
Although she's tall and handsome and known quite well by all
She's a regular combination of the Wabash Cannonball

Oh, the eastern states are dandy, so the western people say
Chicago, Rock Island, St. Louis by the way
To the lakes of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall
No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball

    Oh, listen to the jingle
    The rumble and the roar
    As she glides along the woodlands
    Over hills and by the shore
    She climbs the flowery mountains
    Hear the lonesome hobo squall
    She glides along the woodlands
    The Wabash Cannonball
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, here's to Daddy Claxton, let his name forever be
And long be remembered in the ports of Tennessee
For he is a good old rounder till the curtain round him fall
He'll be carried back to victory on the Wabash Cannonball

I have rode the I.C. Limited, also the Royal Blue
Across the eastern countries on mail car number two
I have rode those highball trains from coast to coast that's all
But I have found no equal to the Wabash Cannonball

    Oh, Listen to the jingle
    The rumble and the roar
    As she glides along the woodlands
    Over hills and by the shore
    She climbs the flowery mountains
    Hear the merry hobo squall
    She glides along the woodlands
    The Wabash Cannonball
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 05:30 PM

Across the eastern countries? Yep, that's what they sang.

Subject: Lyr Add: WALKING THE KING'S HIGHWAY
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 05:45 PM

Walking in the King's Highway is a gospel song by A.J, Showalter in 1901.The Carter's 1938 ercording followed the 1930 recording by the Gordon County Quartet. Tommy Dorsey recorded a version in 1940.

WALKING THE KING'S HIGHWAY-Carter Family

We shall see the desert as the rose
Walking in the king's highway
There'll be singing where salvation goes
Walking in the king's highway

CHORUS: There's a highway there and a way
Where sorrow shall flee away
And the light shines bright as the day
Walking in the king's highway

We shall see the glory of the lord
Walking in the king's highway
And behold the glory of his word
Walking in the king's highway

There the rain shall fall upon the ground
Walking in the king's highway
And the springs of water shall be found
Walking in the king's highway

No unclean things shall pass o'er here
Walking in the king's highway
Just the ransomed ones without a fear
Walking in the king's highway

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WANDERING BOY (Carter Family)
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:02 PM

Wandering Boy is "Somebody's Boy is Homeless Tonight" by R.S. Hanna in 1984.

THE WANDERING BOY- Carter Family

Out in the cold world and far away from home
Somebody's boy is wandering alone
No one to guide him and keep his footsteps right
Somebody's boy is homeless tonight

Out in the hallway there stands a vacant chair
Yonder's the shoes my darling used to wear
Empty the cradle, the one that's loved so well
How I miss him, there's no tongue can tell

    Bring back my boy, my wandering boy
    Far, far away, wherever he may be
    Tell him his mother, with faded cheeks and hair
    At their old home is waiting him there

Oh, could I see him and fold him to my breast
Gladly I'd close my eyes and be at rest
There is no other that's left to give me joy
Bring back my boy, my wandering boy

Well I remember the parting words he said
We'll meet again where no sad tears are shed
There'll be no good-byes in that bright land so fair
When, done with life, I'll meet you up there

    Bring back my boy, my wandering boy
    Far, far away, wherever he may be
    Tell him his mother, with faded cheeks and hair
    At their old home is waiting him there

Subject: Lyr Add: WAVE ON THE SEA
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:21 PM

"Wave (sic) on the Sea" is a tradional English ballad based on The Mermaid (Child 289). The Carters version of the ballad is not a good one.

The song has been traced back to 1765 and different titles are:
"The Mermaid," "The Wrecked Ship" "Black Friday" "Waves on the Sea" "Three Sailor Boys" "The Sinking Ship"

RECORDINGS:
Emma Dusenberry, "The Mermaid" (AFS, 1936; on LC58) {Bronson's #40}
William Howell, "The Mermaid" (on FSBBAL2)
Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "The Mermaid Song" (on BLLunsford01) {cf. Bronson's #32}
New Lost City Ramblers, "Raging Sea" (on NLCR02)
Ernest Stoneman & His Blue Ridge Corn Shuckers, "The Raging Sea, How It Roars" (Victor Vi 21648, 1928)

WAVE ON THE SEA- Carter Family 1941

Oh, the waves on the sea, how they roll
And the chilly winds, how they do blow;
My own true love got drowned in the deep
And the ship never got to the shore.

Oh the first on the deck was the porter of the ship
And a rough-looking fellow was he;
Says, "I care no more for my wife and my child
Than I do for the fish in the sea."

Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving
Well, I left my dear darling a-grieving after me
For I never expect to see her any more.

Subject: Lyr Add: DELIVERANCE WILL COME / WAYWORN TRAVELER
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:51 PM

Wayworn Traveler is from "Deliverance will come" by John B. Matthias in 1836. It was first recorded by Uncle Dave Macon in 1926. Here's some info:

DELIVERANCE WILL COME (AKA "THE WAYWORN TRAVELER")

HEDY WEST: ... a once popular religious song which tells in compression the same story as Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and which was often printed in pre-Civil War songsters and hymnals in both German and English. It was sometimes attributed to the Methodist circuit-riding preacher John B. Matthias (1767-1848). WAYWORN TRAVELER was several times recorded on hillbilly discs in the 1920s and 1930s. My grandmother heard it and sang it in church when she was a child. It may also have been one of the hymns she heard sung by the community of Germans who had immigrated to Gilmer County, Georgia, around 1900. In church they sang in German while everyone else sang simultaneously in English....
The tune of this hymn was used by Bob Dylan for his own Paths of Victory. In the 1880s, the tune was also used by the "People's PLISTEN for a song depicting the plight of the American Farmer, "Pans of Biscuits."

DELIVERANCE WILL COME Uncle Dave Macon, 1926

I saw a wayworn traveler in tattered garments clad,
And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad.
His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone,
Yet he shouted as he journeyed ''Deliverance will come!"

CHORUS: Then palms of victory, crowns of glory,
Palms of victory I shall wear.

The songstress in the arbor, that stood beside the way,
Attracted his attention, inviting his delay.
His watchword being "Onward!" he stopped his ears and ran,
Still shouting as he journeyed, ''Deliverance will come!"

I saw him in the evening, the sun was bending low,
He'd over-topped the mountain and reached the vale below.
He saw the golden city, his everlasting home,
And shouted loud, ''Hosanna, deliverance has come!"

I heard the song of triumph they sang upon that shore,
Saying, ''Jesus has redeemed us to suffer nevermore.''
Then casting his eyes back-ward on the race that he had run,
He shouted loud, ''Hosanna, deliverance has come!"


VERSION #2
Lyrics as recorded by The Original Carter Family, New York, NY, Jun 8, 1936
(Decca De 5240); transcribed by Manfred Helfert.

I saw a wayworn traveler in tattered garments clad,
And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad.
His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone,
It [sic] shouted as he journeyed, ''Deliverance will come!"
CHORUS:
Then palms of victory, crowns of glory,
Palms of victory I shall wear.
The summer sun was shining, the sweat was on his brow,
His garments worn and dusty, his step seemed very slow.
But he kept pressing onward, for he was wending home,
Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come!"
The songstress in the arbor, that stood beside the way,
Attracted his attention, inviting his delay.
His watchword being "Onward!" he stopped his ears and ran,
Still shouting as he journeyed, ''Deliverance will come!"
While gazing on that city, just o'er that narrow flood (?),
A band of holy angels came from the throne of God.
They bore him on their pinions, they bore the dashing foam,
And joined him in his triumph, "Deliverance has come!"



THE WAYWORN TRAVELER- Carter Family 1936

I saw a wayworn traveler, in tattered garments clad
And struggling up the mountain, it seemed that he was sad
His back was laden heavy, his strength was almost gone
Yet shouted as he journeyed, Deliverance will come

    Then palms of victory, crowns of Glory
    Palms of victory I shall wear

The summer sun was shining, the sweat was on his brow
His garments worn and dusty, his steps seemed very slow
But he kept pressing onward for he was wending home
Still shouting as he journeyed, Deliverance will come

    Then palms of victory, crowns of Glory
    Palms of victory I shall wear
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

The songsters in the arbor that stood beside the way
Attracted his attention, inviting his delay
His watchword being onward, he stopped his ears and ran
Still shouting as he journeyed, Deliverance will come

    Then palms of victory, crowns of Glory
    Palms of victory I shall wear

While gazing on that city just o'er that narrow flood
A band of holy angels came from the throne of God
They bore him on their pinions before the dashing foam
And joined him in his triumph, Deliverance has come

    Then palms of victory, crowns of Glory
    Palms of victory I shall wear

DELIVERANCE WILL COME- Matthais (from a web-site on-line)

I saw a way-worn traveler
In tattered garments clad,
And struggling up the mountain,
It seemed that he was sad;
His back was laden heavy,
His strength was almost gone,
Yet he shouted as he journeyed,
Deliverance will come.

The summer sun was shining,
The sweat was on his brow,
His garments worn and dusty,
His steps seemed very slow:
But he kept on pressing onward,
For he was wending home;
Still shouting as he journeyed,
Deliverance will come.

The tempter in the arbor,
That stood beside the way,
Attracted his attention,
Inviting his delay:
His watchword being "Onward!"
He stopped his ears and ran,
Still shouting as he journeyed,
Deliverance will come.

I saw him in the evening,
The sun was bending low,
He'd overtopped the mountain,
And reached the vale below:
He saw the golden city,
His everlasting home,
And shouted loud, Hosanna,
Deliverance will come!

While gazing on that city,
Just o'er the narrow flood,
A band of holy angels
Came from the throne of God:
They bore him to the Savior,
Safe o'er the dashing foam;
And joined him in his triumph,
Deliverance has come!

I heard the song of triumph
They sang upon that shore,
Saying, Jesus has redeemed us
To suffer nevermore:
Then, casting his eyes backward
On the race which he had run,
He shouted loud, Hosanna,
Deliverance has come!

Subject: Lyr Add: WE WILL MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS OF...
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:11 PM

We Will March Through the Streets of the City is a gospel song recorded by the Carters in 1932. The verses come from revival hymns and shape-note hymns from the 1800s, the first verse is also well known in the African-American church.

WE WILL MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CITY- Carter Family 1932

          We will march through the streets of the city
          With our loved ones gone before
          We will sit on the banks of the river
          Where we'll meet to part no more

    Jesus sought me when a stranger
    Wandering from the fold of God
    He to rescue me from danger
    And transported by his blood

    Come, thy fount of every blessing
    Do now hark to sing God's praise
    Streams of mercy never ceasing
    Calls for songs of loudest praise

          We will march through the streets of the city
          With our loved ones gone before
          We will sit on the banks of the river
          Where we'll meet to part no more
          [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

    Hark the voice of Jesus calling
    Who will go and work today
    Fields are white and harvest is waiting
    Who will bear the sheaves away

          Yes, we'll march through the streets of the city
          With our loved ones gone before
          We will sit on the banks of the river
          Where we'll meet to part no more

Subject: Lyr Add: WE SHALL RISE
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:30 PM

We Shall Rise is "Hallelujah We Shall Rise" by J.E. Thomas in 1904.
Below the Carters lyrics are the original lyrics for comparison.

WE SHALL RISE- Carter Family 1940

In that resurrection morning
When the trump of god shall sound
We shall rise.............we shall rise
             (Hallelujah, we shall rise)
Then the saints will come rejoicing
And no tears will e'er be found
We shall rise.............we shall rise
             (Hallelujah, we shall rise)

    We shall rise (Hallelujah) We shall rise (Amen)
    We shall rise (Hallelujah)
    In that resurrection morning
    When these prison bars are broken
    We shall rise.............we shall rise
                  (Hallelujah, we shall rise)
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I shall see that blessed savior
Who so freely died for me
We shall rise.............we shall rise
             (Hallelujah, we shall rise)
And our fathers and our mothers
And our loved ones we shall see
We shall rise.............we shall rise
             (Hallelujah, we shall rise)

    We shall rise (Hallelujah) We shall rise (Amen)
    We shall rise (Hallelujah)
    In that resurrection morning
    When these prison bars are broken
    We shall rise.............we shall rise
                  (Hallelujah, we shall rise)

    We shall rise (Hallelujah) We shall rise (Amen)
    We shall rise (Hallelujah)
    In that resurrection morning
    When these prison bars are broken
    We shall rise.............we shall rise
                  (Hallelujah, we shall rise)

WE SHALL RISE- John E. Thomas 1904

In the resurrection morning,
When the trump of God shall sound,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
Then the saints will come rejoicing
And no tears will e'er be found,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise.

Refrain; We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
Amen! We shall rise! Hallelujah!
In the resurrection morning,
When death's prison bars are broken,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! We shall rise.

In the resurrection morning,
What a meeting it will be,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
When our fathers and our mothers,
And our loved ones we shall see,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!

Refrain

In the resurrection morning,
Blessèd thought it is to me,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
I shall see my blessèd Savior,
Who so freely died for me,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!

Refrain

In the resurrection morning,
We shall meet Him in the air,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
And be carried up to glory,
To our home so bright and fair,
We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!

Refrain

Subject: Lyr Add: WEARY PRODIGAL SON
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:38 PM

Weary Prodigal Son is the gospel song "Calling the Prodigal" by Charles H. Gabriel in 1889.

Here's a link to the original sheet music:
http://books.google.com/books?id=HP5DRe4og7AC&pg=PA68&dq=Calling+the+Prodigal&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

WEARY PRODIGAL SON- Carter Family 1931

God is calling the prodigal, come without delay
Hear, o hear him calling, calling now for thee
Patient, loving, and tender life still the father pleas
Hear his loving voice calling still (oh, calling still)


    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son            
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)   
    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)

Come there's bread in the house of the father and to spare
Hear, o hear him calling, calling now for thee
Lo, the table is spread and the feast is waiting there
Hear his loving voice calling still (oh, calling still)

    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)
    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)
    Calling now for thee
    (Calling now for thee)
    Oh, where.........is the prodigal son
             (Is the prodigal son, where is the prodigal son)

Subject: Lyr Add: WESTERN HOBO
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 08:01 PM

Western Hobo is a traditional song better known as "Wild and Reckless Hobo" or "The Railroad Bum." The Carters 1929 title is surely to avoid copyright issues. George Reneau's 1925 recording "Wild and Reckless Hobo" is the first.

Meade lumps the song into the vast "Ten Thousand Miles from Home" group whic is Laws H2. The famous Jimmie Rodgers song "Waiting For the Train" is one of the best known versions. Rodgers like the Carters used traditional verses to craft his songs. The song is also related to Danville Girl.

WESTERN HOBO- Carter Family 1929

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

The wild, western hobo
Who left his happy home
Started upon a western trip
All by himself alone
Upon this western trip
Going to have lots of fun
But upon this western trip
This is the song he sung

    Ay-oh-lay-ee-oh, oh-lay-ee-ay
    Oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I stepped up on a platform
Smoking a cheap cigar
Waiting to catch a freight train
To catch an empty car
I buttoned my coat up closely
Walked on down the track
I caught the steps of a sleeper car
I never did look back

    Ay-oh-lay-ee-oh, oh-lay-ee-ay
    Oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee, oh-lay-ee

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

My pocketbook is empty
My heart is filled with pain
10,000 miles away from home
Hoboing an old freight train

    Ay-oh-lay-ee
    Ay-oh-lay-ee
    Oh-ah-lay-ee

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 08:22 PM

Here's the last original Carter Family titles:

When I'm Gone;
When Silver Threads Are Gold Again;
When This Evening Sun Goes Down;
When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland;
When the Roses Come Again;
When the Springtime Comes Again;
When the World's on Fire;
Where Shall I Be?;
Where the Silvery Colorado Winds Its Way;
Where We'll Never Grow Old;
Who's That Knocking on My Window;
Why Do You Cry, Little Darling;
Why There's a Tear in My Eye;
Wildwood Flower;
Will My Mother Know Me There?;
Will the Roses Bloom in Heaven;
Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?;
Winding Stream;
Wonderful City;
Worried Man Blues;
You Are My Flower;
You Better Let That Liar Alone;
You Denied Your Love;
You Tied a Love Knot in My Heart;
You're Nothing More to Me;
You've Been a Friend to Me;
You've Been Fooling Me, Baby;
Your Mother Still Prays (For You, Jack);
You're Gonna Be Sorry You Let Me Down;
You've Got to Righten That Wrong;
Young Freda Bolt

What's interesting to me is that some of the Carter's most famous songs like the Circle Be Unbroken; Wildwood Flower, Worried Man Blues
are freely used even though the arrangements by the Carters are unique and what we sing-publish etc are based directly on them.

Yes they are based on other songs but you could say that about 90% of their songs. Yet their arrangements are basically standard use for the songs and no one questions copyright infringement.

On their lesser known arrangements to quote the Artful Codger above:

"However, a caveat:
Unless you enjoy litigation, bear in mind that the Carters altered many of the songs they sang not only to fit their particular style, but expressly to make their arrangements copyrightable--they were urged to do this by Ralph Peer, their agent/manager. Granted, A.P.'s copyrights often infringed on the copyrights of others, whether intentionally or not; that is now immaterial. In preparing a song, the Carters frequently changed melody lines, chord progressions and lyrics; these changes are identifiable enough that a court might easily detect the Carters' still-copyrighted contributions in your arrangements, unless you derived directly from original or p.d. materials."

This to me is the confusing part, where did the verses for "Circle Be Unbroken" come from: The Carter Family. Did they write them? We don't know. Is their copyright valid?----NO

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I'M GONE
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 08:58 PM

When I'm Gone is "You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone" by Delehanty and Hengler 1874. I can't find the original lyrics. Anyone?

This was first recorded by Blind Alfred Reed in 1928. The Carters may have based their version on his as they did with another song. Anyone have Reed's lyrics?

WHEN I'M GONE- Carter Family 1929

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone

    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You're gonna miss me by my prayers
You're gonna miss me everywhere
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my song
You're gonna miss me all day long
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone

    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You're gonna miss me by my ways
You're gonna miss me everyday
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my song
You're gonna miss me all day long
Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone

    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    When I'm gone (When I'm gone)
    Oh, I know you will miss me when I'm gone

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN SILVER THREADS ARE GOLD AGAIN
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:04 PM

When Silver Threads Are Gold Again is by Eben Rexford and Hart Danks in 1875.

Here's the sheet music:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1875/05900/05919/mussm05919.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?mussm:4:./tem

WHEN SILVER THREADS ARE GOLD AGAIN- Carter Family 1936

Darling, we are growing old
And show the silver in our hair
Sands of time have stolen all the gold
That made your youthful tresses fair

But years can never steal away
A love that never can grow old
What care we for tresses gray
Since love will always keep its gold

Love, I'll tell you with a kiss
If heaven gives back the youth we miss
Your face will be no fairer then
When silver threads are gold again

Darling, I can read today
The question in your thoughtful eyes
You wonder if I wish for May
Beneath this frosty Autumn sky

Love of mine, be sure of this
For me, no face could be so fair
Than this one that I stoop to kiss
Beneath its crown of silver hair

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THIS EVENING SUN GOES DOWN
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:33 PM

When This Evening Sun Goes Down is the 1937 gospel song by the Carters
which might be based on a song by Cliff Carlisle "When the Evening Sun Goes Down." Anyone have more info?

It also appears the Carlisle's "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" which may relate to the Carters "You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone."

We know the Carters took Carlisle's version of Black Jack David and recorded it.

WHEN THIS EVENING SUN GOES DOWN- Carter Family 1937

When this evening sun goes down
Then in heaven I will be found
I will end life's other side
When I cross the great divide

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When this evening sun goes down
When I wear my starry crown
When I'll see a smiling face
And rest in amazing grace

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

He will wipe away my tears
He will blind me to all my fears
Then in joy I'll ever be bound
When this evening sun goes down

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When this evening sun goes down
When they lay me 'neath the ground
When we'll meet, weep, and mourn
Then I'll be in my heavenly home

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE ROSES BLOOM IN DIXIELAND
From: Richie
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 11:57 PM

When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland is by George Evans in 1915.

WHEN THE ROSES BLOOM IN DIXIELAND- Carter family 1929

    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you
    When the birds are singing music grand
    To the sweetest girl I ever knew
    I am saving up my money
    To buy a little cabin home for two
    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you

I just got a letter from the sunny south
From my girl in Tennessee
She said she loved me like she used to do
And was waiting there for me
I answered back her letter
Though I am far away
When the roses bloom in Dixieland
I am coming home to stay

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you
    When the birds are singing music grand
    To the sweetest girl I ever knew
    I am saving up my money
    To buy a little cabin home for two
    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When I left my honey at the railroad train
I said, honey, wait for me
I'm going to make a lot of money up north
Then it's me for old Tennessee

    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you
    When the birds are singing music grand
    To the sweetest girl I ever knew
    I am saving up my money
    To buy a little cabin home for two
    When the roses bloom in Dixieland
    I am coming back to you

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family son
From: Artful Codger
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:02 AM

Away Out on Saint Sabbath: Per Charles K. Wolfe, In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain, "Sara thinks someone gave them a ballet of this. She had no idea of what the title means."

So while it may be a rewrite of "Bury Me Not", much of the rewriting occurred at other hands.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE ROSES COME AGAIN
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:06 AM

When the Roses Come Again is by Arthur W. French and George W. Persley in 1874.

Here's the sheet music:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1874/13000/13099/mussm13099.db&recNum=0&itemLink=D?mussm:3:./tem


WHEN THE ROSES COME AGAIN Carter Family 1933

'Neath the shadow, down the meadow, leaves lying on each side
By the river, flowers shiver, fading, dying in their pride
Someone straying, long delaying, stands a-parting down the lane
I must leave you, someone's saying, till the roses come again

    When the roses come again
    When the roses come again
    I will meet you, I will greet you
    When the roses come again
    Oh-la-lay-ee, Ah-le-hee, Ah-le-hee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

As I wander, I will ponder on a happy by and by
On a summer over yonder with joy to you and I
Do not borrow grief or sorrow in the hours that yet remain
We shall know a glad tomorrow when the roses come again

    When the roses come again
    When the roses come again
    I will meet you, I will greet you
    When the roses come again
    Oh-la-lay-ee, Ah-le-hee, Ah-le-hee
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Sunshine over clover blossom on the meadow wide
Summer's fingers sweetly linger everywhere on every side
Someone's roaming in the gloaming, happy hearts that feel no pain
All their sadness turned to gladness, now the roses come again

    When the roses come again
    When the roses come again
    I will meet you, I will greet you
    When the roses come again
    Oh-la-lay-ee, Ah-le-hee, Ah-le-hee

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:26 AM

Away Out on Saint Sabbath seems like floating verses with a slight rewrite of "Bury Me Not." If it was a ballet (printed sheet of lyrics or broadside) maybe we can track it down.

WE should be able to track this verse down:

My mother she lies sleeping beneath the church yard sod,
her body lies there mouldering and her spirit has gone to God.


When the Springtime Comes Again is based on Stephen Foster's Gentle Annie in 1856. There is also a different song by C.W. Baker with that title. The Carter Family recorded the song under the title of 'When the Springtime Comes Again' on 24 May 1930 - Victor V-40293. Sara was the lead singer and Charles Wolfe notes: '... the song was one she [Sara] knew as "Little Annie". She learned it from a neighbour of A.P.'s who gave them the ballet for it (ie the written and printed lyrics)'.

WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN- Carter Family 1930

Once more Little Annie I must leave you
We shall part at the end of the lane
But promise me Little Annie
You will wait for me til springtime comes again

When the sun shines down on the mountain
And the wild sheep are wandering all alone
When the birds and the bees are a humming
Makes me think that springtime wont be very long

When springtime comes on the mountain
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain
I shall watch for the bees to return to their trees
And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again

Now springtime is here Little Annie
I am on my way back to the lane
For you promised me Little Annie
You'd be waiting when springtime comes again

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE WORLD'S ON FIRE
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:53 AM

When the World's on Fire is a spiritual from the African-American tradition. The Carter's use the same melody in "Little Darling Pal of Mine."

"When the World's on Fire," which had been recorded as "Rock
of Ages" by Blind Willie Davis, a black singer-guitarist from McComb, Mississippi in May 1928. Probably they learned his version from Leslie Riddle, who showed Maybelle alide guitar which she plays on this selection.

WHEN THE WORLD'S ON FIRE- Carter family 1930

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, my loving mother, when the world's on fire
Don't you want God's bosom to be your pillow
Tide me over in the Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages cleft for me

I'm going to heaven when the world's on fire
And I want God's bosom to be my pillow
Tide me over in the Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages cleft for me

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, my loving brother, when the world's on fire
Don't you want God's bosom to be your pillow
Tide me over in the Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages cleft for me

Oh, my loving sinner, when the world's on fire
Don't you want God's bosom to be your pillow
Tide me over in the Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages cleft for me

    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Don't you want to go to heaven when the world's on fire
Don't you want God's bosom to be your pillow
Tide me over in the Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages cleft for me

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE SHALL I BE
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:07 AM

Where Shall I Be? is an African-American spiritual. It was recorded in 1927 by Blind Lemon Jefferson (as Deacon Bates) and also by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet.

It's also a Pentecostal hymn which the version the Carters learned. Here's the traditional hymn arranged by R.E. Winsett in a 1908 "Songs of Pentecostal Power:"

http://books.google.com/books?id=AQMca_ptzbMC&pg=PA38&dq=%22Where+Shall+I+Be%3F%22++spiritual&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

WHERE SHALL I BE- Carter Family 1930

The judgement day is drawing nigh
Where shall I be
When God the work of men shall try
Where shall I be
When east and west the fire will roll
Where shall I be
How will it be with my poor soul
Where shall I be

    Oh, where shall I be
    When the first trumpet sounds
    Oh, where shall I be
    When it sounds so loud
    When it sounds so loud as to wake up the dead
    Oh, where shall I be when it sounds

When wicked men his wrath shall see
Where shall I be
And to the rocks and mountains flee
Where shall I be
When hills and mountains flee away
Where shall I be
And all the work of men decay
Where shall I be

    Oh, where shall I be
    When the first trumpet sounds
    Oh, where shall I be
    When it sounds so loud
    When it sounds so loud as to wake up the dead
    Oh, where shall I be when it sounds
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

When the savior reigns from shore to shore
Where shall I be
From God's angry presence thrown
Where shall I be

    Well, I'll be sleeping in my grave
    When the first trumpet sounds
    I'll be sleeping in my grave
    When it sounds so loud
    When it sounds so loud as to wake up the dead
    I'll be sleeping in my grave when it sounds
               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
               [REPEAT LAST CHORUS]

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE THE SILVERY COLORADO WENDS ITS WAY
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 08:58 AM

Where the Silvery Colorado Wends Its Way is a song by C.H. Scroggins and Charles Avril in 1901. Recordings date back to 1902. The Carters 1932 version was probably based on an earlier country recording by Emry Auther or Frank Luther.

WHERE THE SILVERY COLORADO WENDS ITS WAY- Carter Family 1936

The twilight softly gathered
'Round my home among the hills
And all nature soon will settle down to rest
While I sit and sadly ponder
And my heart with longing fills
As I often think of one that I love best

We were wedded in the springtime
And our hearts they knew no pain
Fair nature seemed to smile on us that day
Now she sleeps beneath the lilacs
And she'll ne'er come back again
Where the silver Colorado wends its way

There's a sob on every breeze
And a sigh comes from the trees
And the mocking birds they sing a sadder way
For the flowers creep no more
'Round my cheerless cabin door
Where the silver Colorado wends its way

The silver snow is gleaming
On your distant mountainside
Where often used to wander Nell and I
And the birds are singing gaily
In the valley far below
Where I long some day to lay me down and die

Then our lives were gay and happy
In the shadow of the hills
My heart beats fonder for her day by day
And I feel her presence near me
As I sit alone tonight
Where the silver Colorado wends its way.

There's a sob on every breeze
And a sigh comes from the trees
And the mocking birds they sing a sadder way
For the flowers creep no more
'Round my cheerless cabin door
Where the silver Colorado wends its way

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE WE'LL NEVER GROW OLD
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:04 AM

Where We'll Never Grow Old is a gospel song by James C. Moore from the early 1920s. Frequently called "Land Where We'll Never Grow Old" it was first recorded by the Jenkins Family in 1926; the Carters made the 14th country recording of it in 1932.

WHERE WE'LL NEVER GROW OLD- Carter Family 1932

I have heard of a land on the far away strand
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
Built by Jesus on high, there we never shall die
'Tis a land where we never grow old

Never grow old, never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old, never grow old
In the land where we'll never grow old

In that beautiful home where we'll nevermore roam
We shall be in the sweet by and by
Happy praise to the king through eternity sing
'Tis the land where we never shall die

When our work here is done and the life crown is won
And out troubles and trials are o'er
All our sorrows will end and our voices will blend
With the loved ones who've gone on before

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY WINDOW
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:19 AM

Who's That Knocking on My Window is the Carters' version of the traditional English ballad the Drowsy Sleeper also know as "Awake Awake" and "Silver Dagger." The song dates bacK to 1817:


Bodleian Ballad index features this version of "Drowsy Sleeper:"

Awake awake ye drowsy sleeper,
Awake awake, 'tis almost day!
How can you sleep, ye darling creature
Since you have stole my heart away?

In the US it's known also as O Molly dear/O Katie Dear and has been collected by Sharp as "Awake Awake" in 1916-1917.


WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY WINDOW Carter Family

Who's that knockin' at my window,
Knocks so loud and won't come in?
'Tis your own true-hearted lover
Rise you up and let him in

Go 'way, go 'way, don't wake my mother
For love's a thing she can't endure
She's been the ruin of many a lover
She'll be the ruin of many more

I've come to whisper in your ear, love
Do you think it any harm?
I've come to wean you of your mother
Pray trust yourself in your darling's arms!

Go 'way go 'way, don't wake my father
For he is on his bed of rest
And on his breast he carries a *weapon
To kill the one that I love best

I wish I was some little sparrow
I'd circle like a turtle dove
I'd fly away to a lonely valley
And settle down in the land of love

* pronounced "wee-pon.

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family son
From: Artful Codger
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:32 AM

Cowboy's Wild Song to His Herd: The poems in Rhymes from the Rangeland are Beggs's own (see the introduction/"explanation"), so he may be considered the original author of the text of this song. Lacking any indications that it was turned into a song prior to the Carters, we must assume they supplied the music. Per Charles Wolfe, sources differ on whether A.P. or Maybelle wrote the song, but considering that Maybelle was by far the more musical of the two, I strongly suspect the tune at least was hers.

Richie, thank you for hunting up the original poem! I'd thought of doing my own rework, but the Carter attribution put me off. And "Down by the Garden Wall" (Darling Daisies) was a great find as well.

Darling Nellie Across the Sea: Per Charles Wolfe, Sara wrote much of the song herself (implying an antecedent).

Funny When You Feel That Way: Per Wolfe, 19th c. versions credit G.W. Hunt.

The Girl on the Greenbrier Shore: Per Wolfe, it's based on an incident which occurred in 1896.

He Never Came Back: Wolfe gives the original date as 1891, not 1892. The sheet music at the Levy may not be from the first publication run.

Jealous Hearted Me: The Carters learned it from Lesley Riddle.

My Dixie Darling: Per Wolfe, the original song was titled "Dixie Darlings" (plural) and it was written in 1907, not 1909.

My Native Home: Per Wolfe, by John Rogers Thomas, c.1865. Learned from a woman in Russell County, VA.
The Levy site has "My Dear, My Native Home", music by John Rogers Thomas, words by Charles Hart, 1855. Same song? I haven't really checked.

My Old Cottage Home: Per Wolfe, written by R.A. Glenn (with two n's).

One Little Word: See thread 111888; sadly it didn't show up when I ran a search on the title just now. The thread contains some source links and a transcription of the original lyrics (supposedly). Note: Frank Howard's "One Little Word", available at the American Memory site, is an unrelated piece.

Over the Garden Wall: See thread 6020, where I've provided the original lyrics and an ABC of the original melody.

The Spirit of Love Watches over Me: Per the sheet music linked above, the original title was "Thou Art Gone from My Gaze".

Two Sweethearts: Per Wolfe, "Moran and Helf" were E.P. Morgan (words) and J. Fred Helf (music).

When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland: Wolfe gives 1913, not 1915, as the date for Evans' original. George "Honeyboy" Evans was a minstrel showman. He also wrote "In the Good Old Summertime".

I'm skeptical when people talk about a song as having been written by A.P. Almost all the Carter songs were copyrighted in A.P.'s name only, regardless of which of the Carters were actually involved in writing/reworking them. A.P. doesn't appear to have been musically accomplished--his bass lines are glaringly dull and often at odds harmonically, and he needed Riddle to accompany him on the song collecting trips to capture the tunes they heard. I can't recall reading that he ever played an instrument. So I suspect that Sara, Maybelle and Lesley Riddle did nearly all of the music writing and arranging, and much more of the lyric work than they're generally credited with.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHY DO YOU CRY LITTLE DARLING
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:37 AM

Why Do You Cry Little Darling was recorded at teh Carters last session in Oct. 1941 and is a song (according to their biographers) written by Maybelle Carter. The song references upcoming World War II.

WHY DO YOU CRY LITTLE DARLING- Carter Family 1941

Why do you cry little darlin
Why are those tears in your eyes
Why do you weep little darlin
Just when I say goodbye

It makes me sad and lonely
To see you feel so blue
What have I done little darlin
Have I been untrue to you

Cause you are called little darlin
To fight for your country true
There's many a poor girl just like me
Weeping for their sweetheart too

I've tried so hard to be cheerful
But thought of all the long years
You might be gone little darlin
I could not keep back my tears

That's why I cry little darlin
Because you're going away
Leaving me all broken hearted
To weep for you day after day

Every night I'll kneel by my bedside
And ask God to guide you each day
Back to your sweetheart that's waiting
And loves you more than I can say

Subject: RE: Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs'
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:55 AM

Thanks Artful Codger,

I don't have access to Charles Wolfe, the late great Country Music historian, liner notes.

A.P. actually played the fiddle. Here's an account of their first unofficial recording session:

The first opportunity to record came in 1926 when A.P and Sara arranged an audition for a Brunswick record scout in Kingsport, Tennessee. They sang "Anchored in Love" and A.P. played a fiddle solo. [According to Gladys Carter they sang "Little Log Cabin by The Sea" and "Poor Orphan Boy" before A.P. (Doc) sawed away on a few fiddle tunes.] When the record company scout (looking for another Fiddlin' John Carson) suggested to him that he should perform solo (they told the Carters that a musical group with a female lead singer would never sell) as Fiddlin' Doc and only record square dance fiddle songs, he flatly refused [Gladys said it was because A.P. promised his mother he wouldn't play jigs].

A.P. was also noted as a good bass singer. As lead singers- guitarists Sara and Maybelle surely wrote the chords and melodies to most of the songs where the Carters didn't know the melody.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHY THERE'S A TEAR IN MY EYE
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 10:07 AM

"Why There's a Tear in My Eye" is a song by Carson Robison (An Old Man's Story) from 1928 that the Carters played with Jimmie Rodgers at their 1931 session in Louisville KY.

WHY THERE'S A TEAR IN MY EYE- Carter family 1931

               I once loved a beautiful maiden
               As fair as the blue skies above
               And each night as we wandered together
               The moon seemed to smile on our love

               We vowed to be true to each other
               That nothing could cause us to part
               But we never once dreamed that the future
               Held only a broken heart

               Then there came the night when we parted
               We quarreled as all sweethearts do
               And I learned what it was to be jealous
               When they told me her love was untrue

               She told me she had always been faithful
               She swore that her love could not die
               And then when I did not believe her
               She kissed me and told me goodbye

                   Oh-de-lay-ee-oh, de-lay-ee
                   Yo-de-lay-ee
                   [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
                  
               I found I had falsely accused her
               And went back to make her my bride
               And there in the door stood her mother
               She told me my sweetheart had died

               I went in and knelt down beside her
               And there in the hush of that room
               I prayed that my maker would take me
               And send my soul down to its doom

               So now I have told you the reason
               There's always a tear in my eye
               Through long weary years I've repented
               But I'm longing to lay down and die

               I wonder if I'll be forgiven
               When I face the master someday
               And I wonder if I'll see my sweetheart
               On that beautiful shore far away

                   Oh-de-lay-ee-oh, de-lay-ee
                   Yo-de-lay-ee

Subject: Lyr Add: WILDWOOD FLOWER
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 10:14 AM

Wildwood Flower is "I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets" by Maud Irving and JP Webster from 1860. This popular song by the Carters recorded in 1928 was probably attributed to them until fairly recently.

Even though their arrangemnt and melody are unique when the source of the song became known their copyright became invalid. Now teh song is free and considered PD even though the Carters arrangement is still used.

WILDWOOD FLOWER- Carter family


          Oh, I'll twine with my mangels and waving black hair
          With the roses so red and the lilies so fair
          And the myrtle so bright with the emerald dew
          The pale amanita and islip like blue

               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

          I will dance, I will sing, and my heart shall be gay
          I will charm every heart, in his crown I will sway
          When I woke from my dreaming my idol was clay
          All portion of love had all flown away

               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

          Oh, he taught me to love him and promised to love
          And to cherish me over all others above
          How my heart is now wondering no misery can tell
          He's left me no warning, no words of farewell

               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

          Oh, he taught me to love him and called me his flower
          That was blooming to cheer him through life's dreary hour
          Oh, I long to see him and regret the dark hour
          He won and neglected this pale wildwood flower

               [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Subject: Lyr Add: WILL MY MOTHER KNOW ME THERE
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:30 PM

Will My Mother Know Me There? is a song from Johnson Oatman and William Golden in 1906. It was included in Songs of the Kingdom: The Camp Meeting Specialý by Robert Emmet Winsett 1911, 200 pages. It was recorded twice before the Carters 1933 recording.

WILL MY MOTHER KNOW ME THERE
Carter Family- Original

When I reach my home eternal
Reach that city bright and fair
When I stand among the angels
Will my mother know me there

    Yes, I know that she will know me
    In those mansions bright and fair
    Mother's love can ne'er forget me
    And I'm sure she'll know me there

I have changed with the changing seasons
I am bent with toil and care
When I stand among the angels
Will my mother know me there

    Yes, I know that she will know me
    In those mansions bright and fair
    Mother's love can ne'er forget me
    And I'm sure she'll know me there
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

All for me my mother wrestled
When she used to kneel in prayer
Do you think she has forgotten
Will my mother know me there

    Yes, I know that she will know me
    In those mansions bright and fair
    Mother's love can ne'er forget me
    And I'm sure she'll know me there
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Mother's face has been a beacon
O'er the sea of deep despair
I shall look for her up yonder
Will my mother know me there

    Yes, I know that she will know me
    In those mansions bright and fair
    Mother's love can ne'er forget me
    And I'm sure she'll know me there

Subject: Lyr Add: WILL THE ROSES BLOOM IN HEAVEN
From: Richie
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:34 PM

Will the Roses Bloom in Heaven is a song by Charles K. Harris in 1911. It was recorded twice before the Carters 1932 recording.

Here's a link to the sheet music:
http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/sheetmusic/devincent.do?&id=LL-SDV-106058&q1=LL-SDV-106058&sid=3fdad41f7ea6c1580541b5dc8f4bcf83


WILL THE ROSES BLOOM IN HEAVEN Carter Family 1932

In a cold and cheerless garret
In a room so dim, so lone
In a frosty wintry silence
There was heard a little moan
And a little child is asking
At the break of the day
Will the roses bloom in heaven
Tell me, mama, tell me, pray

    Will the roses bloom in heaven
    Are there any gardens there
    Any violets and clover
    Way up with the angels fair
    Will the branches fill with blossoms
    And in winter fill with snow
    Will the roses bloom in heaven
    Tell me, mama, e'er I go
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Now the room grows light and lighter
Everything has caught a glow
Heaven seems to stretch about her
While dream faces come and go
Then she whispered, birds are singing
Psalms of melody
And I see the roses blooming
While the angels beckon me

Then mother whispered
In the land so bright and fair
Where the roses will be blooming
There will be no parting there
Goodbye, my little darling
For death is lingering near
And on the pale little face
There was not one trace of fear

    Will the roses bloom in heaven
    Are there any gardens there
    Any violets and clover
    Way up with the angels fair
    Will the branches fill with blossoms
    And in winter fill with snow
    Will the roses bloom in heaven
    Tell me, mama, e'er I go