Complete Original Carter Family Songs in Chronological Order
Carter Family Sources by Date of Recording 1927-1934 RCA Victor Recordings
RECORDING DATE & PLACE--RECORD COMPANY--TITLE--DATE OF (or Approximate date of) ORIGIN--AUTHOR(S)--OTHER TITLES--REFERENCES AND INFO
Established in 1901, RCA Victor was the wealthy and successful label. Country Music began in 1922 and following Dalhart’s smash hit “Wreck of the Old 97” backed by “Prisoner’s Song” hired Ralph Peer in 1925 to get "Country Music" recordings. Peer accepted a nominal salary of just one dollar a year, but he assumed control of all copyrighted work created under his supervision and administered his publishing portfolio via his Southern Music Publishing firm. He learned that by managing the artists he could better control the copyrights and his interests.
Beginning in 1925 he signed Ernest Stoneman to an exclusive contract. After Stoneman had a hit with “The Titanic” Peer began signing other groups. Peer hit the motherlode at the 1927 Bristol Sessions by signing his most important artists: Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family. By the end of the 1920s Peer was making $250,000 a quarter year on royalties alone! Today this would translate into a salary of around $50 million a year in royalties.
August 1, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Bury Me Beneath The Willow 1909 Belden- traditional folk song.
August 1, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Little Log Cabin By the Sea 1903- song by W.C. Hapley titled "Bible in the Cabin by the Sea"
August 1, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Poor Orphan Child 1874 (Meade)- Traditional. The first recording was made in 1928 by Buell Kazee.
August 1, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Storms Are on The Ocean 1800s- Variant of the large "True Lover's Farewell" folk song family (Child #76) originating in British Isles ("The Lass of Roch Royal") also called: "Fare You Well, My Own True Love" and the "Ten Thousand Miles." The first collected version in the US is 1906 (Belden). The Carters verses are found in Sharp No. 114 A. Carters- 1927 and 1936
August 2, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Single Girl, Married Girl Late 1800s- Traditional song; According to the Carters biography the song came from Mollie Carter, A.P.'s mother and it was a well-known old song. Also Carters-1935
August 2, 1927 Bristol, TN (Victor- Bristol Sessions) Wandering Boy 1884- R.S. Hanna song "Somebody's Boy is Homeless Tonight"
May 9, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Meet Me By Moonlight, Alone circa 1812- Traditional song. Evolved from lyrics by J. Augustine Wade, also titled "The Prisoner's Song" as recorded by Vernon Dalhart, his version became one of the all-time early Country hits.
May 9, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Little Darlin’, Pal Of Mine Early 1900s- Traditional lyrics melody is the spiritual "When The World's On Fire." It's also titled "Little Sweetheart Pal Of Mine" or "My Little Girl."
May 9, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Anchored in Love 1911-"Anchored in Love Divine" James Rowe & James Vaughan
May 9, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man Late 1800s- Traditional song arranged by the Carter Family.
May 9, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) I Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow Early 1900s- Traditional song arranged by The Carter Family.
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? Circa 1900- Gospel song by Rev. George Beebe and H.E. McAfee also name of the definitive biography about the Carters, Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone by Marc Mark Zwonitzer and Charles Hirshberg. Carters recorded this again in 1935.
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) River Of Jordan 1800s (1915 recording)- Listed under "Some of These Days" [Me III-C 27]. Other names include: "God's Gonna Set This World On Fire" and "Jacob's Ladder." Shelton Brooks song titled "Some of These Days" is a different song as is the Poplin Family's "River Of Jordan." Carters recorded the song again in 1934.
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Chewing Gum 1800s- songbook entitled "A Collection of Favorite Songs as Sung by Ben Maginley." Traditional verses arranged by Carters.
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Wildwood Flower 1860- "I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets" by Maud Irving and J.P. Webster.
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) I Have No One To Love Me But The Deep Blue Sea 1839- British Ballad "Sweet William." Also known as “Captain Tell Me True” and first recorded in 1924 by Gid Tanner as "Sailor Boy."
May 10, 1928 Camden, NJ (Victor) Forsaken Love 1800s- Traditional, arranged by Carters.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Sweet Fern 1876- Song by Thomas Westendorf and George Persley titled "Sweet Bird." According to Charles Wolfe "Sweet Fern" was a song A.P. found in his collecting trips into the east Tennessee hills.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) My Clinch Mountain Home Circa 1911- Family members recall that he wrote his first song while he rode the train back to Virginia, "My Clinch Mountain Home." The chorus and sentiment are based on James A. Bland's 1878 song "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny." The verse is the melody of the "Battleship of Maine."
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) God Gave Noah The Rainbow Sign 1800s, Early 1900s- Traditional African-American Spiritual usually named "I Got A Home the Rock." From Leslie Riddle-Pauline Gray.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) I’m Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes 1800s- Traditional song arranged by The Carter Family. Other names include "In the Shadow of the Pines" and "Broken Ties." The Carters recorded the song again in 1941.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Little Moses Circa 1871- traditional gospel ballad about story of Moses harmonized by G.R. Street. Collected by Belden in 1905.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Lulu Wall 1800s (Jan. 1888 Meade); "Lulu Walls" Wehman's Collection of Songs. Unknown author from 1800s. Carters recorded this again in 1935.
February 14, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Grave On The Green Hillside 1875- Gospel song by Aldine Kieffer.
February 15, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Don’t Forget This Song 1910- Traditional based on "Bad Companions" or "Young Companions" Carters recorded this song again in 1935.
February 15, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Foggy Mountain Top Early 1900s- Traditional, based on earlier folk song. Collected in 1916 by Cecil Sharp.
February 15, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Bring Back My Blue-Eyed Boy To Me 1800s- Collected by Louise Pound in 1922; Traditional folk song.
February 15, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Diamonds In The Rough 1897- C.W. Byron (words) and L.L. Pickett (music). Carters recorded this again in 1935.
February 15, 1929 Camden, NJ (Victor) Engine One-Fourty-Three 1915 by Cox- traditional ballad also called the "Wreck on the C & O" based on the Oct 23, 1890 death of engineer George Alley when the FFV train on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad was wrecked by a landslide near Hinton, West Virginia.
November 22, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Homestead On The Farm 1909- "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home" by Lambert and Vandersloot. Carter's also recorded it ARC in 1935.
November 22, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Cyclone Of Ryecove May 2, 1929, an unusually violent storm struck the little community of Rye Cove, located in the mountains of Scott County. Song is attributed to A.P. Carter and recorded in 1929.
November 22, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Motherless Children 1904- S.C. Brown (words) and Charles Dryscoll (Music) Motherless Children is also traditional from African-American sources. They probably learned this song from Leslie Riddle and associates.
November 24, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland 1913- Song by George "Honeyboy" Evans. Carters-1929
November 24, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) No Telephone In Heaven 1899 Werner's Readings and Recitations; Meade sites Delaney's Recitations #3 (Willian W. Delaney Circa 1910); Arranged Carters.
November 24, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Western Hobo Late 1800s- Traditional song "Wild and Reckless Hobo" or "The Railroad Bum." The Carters 1929 title is surely to avoid copyright issues. Meade lumps the song into the vast "Ten Thousand Miles from Home" group which is Laws H2. The famous Jimmie Rodgers song "Waiting For the Train" is one of the best known versions.
November 24, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Carter’s Blues 1800s- Rewrite of the traditional folk song "As I Walked Out One Morning Fair" and is related to "Love Has Brought Me to Despair." The title would need to be changed to avoid copyright issues.
November 24, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Wabash Cannonball 1882-Originally from "The Great Rock Island Route" credited to J. A. Roff. It rewritten in 1904 as "Wabash Cannon Ball," perhaps by William Kindt. Cohen suspects the rewrite preceeded Kindt's 1904 publication, and common tune is not the same as either Roff's or Kindt's.
November 25, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Distant Land To Roam 1902- L.M. Bandy's song "Leaving Home"
November 25, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Jimmie Brown The Newsboy 1875 song by William Shakespeare Hays “Jimmie Brown (The Paper Boy)”.
November 25, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Kitty Waltz 1872 music; lyrics 1926 Al Hopkins- arranged by the Carter Family.
November 25, 1929 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Fond Affection 1800s- traditional arranged by Carters Carters.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Cannon-ball, The Early 1900s- Traditional song learned from Leslie Riddle based on earlier song. Carters recorded this also in 1935.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Lover’s Farewell, The 1849- "Thou Hast Learned to Love Another" or "Farewell, Farewell, Forever" by Charles Slade. "We Have Met and We Have Parted" which is dated by Meade as circa 1870s.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) There’s Someone Awaiting For Me Pre-1861 (Meade)- Unknown parlor song "There's Somebody Waiting For Me." Not to be confused with the Von Tilzer song by the same title from 1902.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Little Log Hut In The Lane, The 1879- Thomas Westendorf (Going From De Cottonfields) usally titled, "I'm Going From the Cottonfields."
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) When The Springtime Comes Again 1856- Based on Stephen Foster's "Gentle Annie." This is not the song by C.W. Baker with that title. Charles Wolfe notes: "the song was one she [Sara] knew as "Little Annie". She learned it from a neighbor of A.P.'s who gave them the ballet for it (ie the written and printed lyrics)."
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) When The World’s On Fire 1800s- Spiritual from the African-American tradition. The Carters use the same melody in "Little Darling Pal of Mine." Recorded as "Rock of Ages" by Blind Willie Davis, a black singer-guitarist from McComb, Mississippi in 1928. Probably they learned his version from Leslie Riddle, who showed Maybelle slide guitar which she plays on this selection.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) I Have An Aged Mother 1882- Broadside by I.M. Williams titled "Ten Thousand Miles Away" also known as "On The Banks of A Lonely River."
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Dying Soldier, The 1800s- based on an unknown song; the title may be used.
May 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Worried Man Blues Early 1900s- Traditional blues song. The first recording is by Sam Collins with a vocal John D. Fox in 1927 on Gnt 6352. The song is made up of traditional verses (Charlie Patton's "Down the Dirt Road Blues") arranged by the Carters probably from Leslie Riddle/Brownie McGee/Sam Lyons group. Carters also recorded the song in 1935.
November 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Lonesome Valley 1800s- Traditional spiritual from both white and black sources. The song was probably from Leslie Riddle but popular versions by both Dalhart and Jenkins had been circulating. Carters recorded the song again in 1935.
November 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) On The Rock Where Moses Stood 1800s- Traditional spiritual also known as "Crying Holy Unto The Lord." It's perhaps derived from the spiritual "Elijah Rock." First recorded by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet in 1924 as "Crying to the Lord."
November 24, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Room In Heaven For Me Circa 1900- James Vaughan song titled "Is There Room for Me?"
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Lonesome Pine Special circa 1930- Railroad song attributed to Sara Carter by Janette Carter in a talk to a music class at Warren Wilson College. Janette is the daughter of Sara and A.P. Carter.
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) No More The Moon Shine On Lorena circa 1889- Song by Louis Staab. The song has been recorded titled as "Lorena" "Lorina" and "Lorrainna" according to Meade. The other song is the Civil War song "Lorena" which is a different yet similar song.
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) On My Way To Canaan’s Land 1800s- Traditional spiritual usually known as "I'm on my Way to Canaan's Land" or just "I'm On My Way." According to one author, Bernice Johnson Reagon, the song come from the traditional "If You Go Don't Hinder Me." The Pace Jubilee Singers 1927 recording was titled "I'll Journey On." The Carter's recording surely came from Leslie Riddle/Pauline Gary. During the 60s Civil Rights movement the song was changed to "I'm on my Way to Freedom Land."
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Where Shall I Be? Late 1800s (1908)- African-American spiritual and Pentecostal hymn recorded in 1927 by Blind Lemon Jefferson (as Deacon Bates) and also by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet. Carters learned traditional Pentecostal hymn arranged by R.E. Winsett in a 1908 hymnal "Songs of Pentecostal Power."
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Sow ‘Em On The Mountain 1800s- Traditional spiritual "Sowing on the Mountain." May be based on the verse of the 1874 hymn "Bringing in the Sheaves." There is also a relationship in form and content to "This Train is Bound for Glory.
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Darling Nellie Across The Sea 1800s- Based on an unknown song. Per Charles Wolfe, Sara wrote much of the song herself (implying an antecedent).
November 25, 1930 Memphis, TN (Victor) Birds Were Singing of You, The Unknown date; based on an unknown song by A.P. Carter.
May 25, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) Weary Prodigal Son 1889- Gospel song "Calling the Prodigal" by Charles H. Gabriel.
May 25, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) My Old Cottage Home Circa 1880- Song by R.A. Glenn;
May 25, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) When I’m Gone 1874- Delehanty and Hengler's song "You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone," first recorded by Blind Alfred Reed in 1928. The Carters may have based their version on his.
May 25, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) Sunshine In The Shadows Early 1900s- "Heavenly Sunshine" by Lucy Eddie Campbell from Duck Hill, Mississippi. First recorded by Laura Henton in the 1920s. The Carters probably got this gospel song from Leslie Riddle or Pauline Gray.
May 25, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) Let The Church Roll On 1800s-Traditional African-American gospel song from Leslie Riddle/Pauline Gray arranged by The Carter Family.
May 26, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) Lonesome For You 1918- song "I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome" by Brockman and Vincent (words) and Kendis (music).
May 26, 1931 Charlotte, NC (Victor) Can’t Feel At Home 1919- Traditional folk hymn and spiritual.
June 10, 1931 Louisville, KY (Victor/ Jimmie Rodgers) Why There’s A Tear In My Eye 1928- Song by Carson Robison (An Old Man's Story) that the Carters played with Jimmie Rodgers at their 1931 session in Louisville, KY.
June 10, 1931 Louisville, KY (Victor/ Jimmie Rodgers) Wonderful City Circa 1931- Song attributed to Jimmie Rodgers and was recorded with the Carter family in their joint 1931 session in Louisville KY. Rodgers usually appropriated material for his songs so the lyrics probably are based on another song. This is even more likely because this was the only gospel song Rodgers recorded.
June 12, 1931 Louisville, KY (Victor/ Jimmie Rodgers) Jimmie Rodgers Visits The Carter Family 1931- Song-and-spoken-word skit by The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
June 12, 1931 Louisville, KY (Victor/ Jimmie Rodgers) Carter Family And Jimmie Rodgers In Texas 1931 skit and songs featuring the Carters with Jimmie Rodgers.
February 23, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) 'Mid The Green Fields Of Virginia 1898- song by Charles K. Harris.
February 23, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Happiest Days of All 1875- Will Thompson song "Gathering Shells From the Seashore."
February 23, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Picture On The Wall Circa 1927- Song by Bud Landress of Georgia Yellow Hammers. Wolfe says Sara recalled that they had learned it 'from an old record'. He credits Carters song to Landress and almost certainly they learned from the 1927 Yellow Hammers hit recording.
February 23, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Amber Tresses 1874-"Amber Tresses Tied in Blue," Words Samuel M. Mitchell, Music H. P. Danks
February 24, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) I Never Loved But One 1865 song by Armand titled "Those Dark Eyes" also known as "Dark Eyes."
February 24, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Tell Me That You Love 1866- Will S. Hayes (Levy Collection) The Carters title was probably to prevent copyright problems as the song had already been recorded by Stoneman and Kincaid as "We Parted By The Riverside."
February 24, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) Where We’ll Never Grow Old Early 1920s- Gospel song by James C. Moore. Frequently called "Land Where We'll Never Grow Old" it was first recorded by the Jenkins Family in 1926;
February 24, 1932 Atlanta, GA (Victor) We’ll March Through The Streets Of The City 1800s- Gospel song based in existing lyrics from revival hymns and shape-note hymns. The first verse is also well known in the African-American church.
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Sweet As The Flowers In May time 1800s (Randolph collected a version learned prior to 1900)- Traditional song usually known as "My Mother/Mama Scolds Me For Flirting." First recorded by the Carolina Tar Heels in 1927. The Carters extra verse is taken from the chorus of the 1867 song "Where There's A Will There's A Way."
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Will The Roses Bloom In Heaven 1911- Song by Charles K. Harris.
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) My Little Home in Tennessee 1926- Song by Carson Robison.
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Sun Of The Soul, The 1917- Southern gospel song by Curtis Williams titled "When the Lights Have gone Out In Your Soul." Recorded in 1927 by Ernest Phipps and his Congregation for Victor "If the Lights Gone Out of Your Soul."
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) If One Won’t Another One Will 1887 Wehman's Collection of Songs; Collected by Belden in 1904- Traditional song also titled "The Lonesome (Stormy) Scenes of Winter" [Laws H12].
October 12, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Broken Hearted Lover 1800s- Arrangement of an unknown traditional song; Carters recorded the song again in 1935.
October 13, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Two Sweethearts 1897- Popular parlor song by E.P. Morgan (words) and J. Fred Helf (music).
October 13, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Winding Stream, The Unknown date (1932 by Carters)- Meade calls this a parlor song from the 1800s and calls the song, "Give To Me a Winding Stream."
October 13, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) I Wouldn’t Mind Dying 1800s Traditional African-American gospel song arranged by The Carter Family. It's also titled "Bye and Bye We're Going To See The King."
October 13, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Spirit Of Love Watches Over Me circa 1840-gospel song by George Lindley(1798-1865), the original title was "Thou Art Gone from My Gaze."
October 13, 1932 Camden, NJ (Victor) Church In The Wildwood 1857 William P. Pitts; rewrite 1911 James Rowe; based on gospel song "Little Brown Church in the Vale."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) Give Me The Roses While I Live 1925- James Rowe (lyrics) R. H. Cornelius (music).
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- BB) I Never Will Marry 1864 song "Oh, My Love's Gone," 1906 Belden. Other names are "The Shells of the Ocean" and "Down by the Sea Shore."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) On The Sea Of Galilee Circa 1709- Isaac Watts (Two Verses)- Spiritual recorded by the Carters in 1933 for Victor and then they changed the name to avoid copyright issue and recorded the song for ARC in 1935 as "Sea of Galilee."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- MW) Home By The Sea 1800s- Possible rewrite of "Dear Old Home Beyond the Sea" by A. Hamilton Sims and William A. Keller written in 1887. For now it's based on an unknown song.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor-RCA) When The Roses Come Again 1874- Song by Arthur W. French and George W. Persley.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) I Loved You Better Than You Knew 1893 song by Johnny Carroll.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) This Is Like Heaven To Me 1903- J.E. French's gospel song with the same title.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) See That My Grave Is Kept Green 1879- Gus William's song Speculation about Williams song being the the source for Blind Lemon Jefferson's "see that my Grave is Kept Clean" is unfounded and only the title itself appears to have been used.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- MW) Over The Garden Wall 1879- Written by the minstrel showmen Harry Hunter and George D. Fox. Sara Carter said "that was an old ballet given to us by an old lady in Tennessee."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor) Gold Watch And Chain 1879- Traditional chorus based on the Reuben's Train songs. The verses are from 1879 Westendorf song, "Is There No Kiss For Me Tonight, Love."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- MW) School House On The Hill 1907- Gospel song by Aldine Kieffer (1840– 1904) titled "The School House On The Hill."
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- MW) Will My Mother Know Me There? 1906- Song from Johnson Oatman and William Golden included in Songs of the Kingdom: The Camp Meeting Specialý by Robert Emmet Winsett 1911, 200 pages.
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- issued later RCA) Faded Flowers 1851- song by James Powers and J.H. Brown;
June 17, 1933 Camden, NJ (Victor- RCA) Poor Little Orphaned Boy 1874 (Meade)- Traditional. The first recording was made in 1928 by Buell Kazee.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) On A Hill Lone And Gray 1894- Southern gospel song (There's A Hill Lone and Grey) written by Beverly Francis Caradine and appears in Truths and Triumphs for Revivals.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Cowboy Jack 1893- Western rewrite of "Your Mother Prays for You Jack" by F. M. Eliot. Lyrics not by Carters.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight 1879 song by T.B. Ranson
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Away Out On Old Saint Sabbath 1872 Chorus, Verses unknown date- A rewrite of an unknown song based on "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" from a ballet (lyrics) set to music by the Carter Family.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Darling Little Joe 1866- Song by V. E. Marsten "Death of Little Joe." Also recorded as "Little Joe" in 1938.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Happy Or Lonesome 1913 Dick Burnett songster- Traditional song "Are You Happy or Lonesome" arranged by Carter Family.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) One Little Word 1899- Song written by Gussie Davis.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Darling Daisies 1882- "Down by the Garden Wall" by Max Vernor.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) East Virginia Blues 1800s- Traditional Arranged by Carters
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Lover’s Return 1800s- Traditional folk song usually called "Too Late" or "Too Late You Have to Come Back to Me."
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) It’ll Aggravate Your Soul Song by A.P. Carter based on one verse of traditional lyrics.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Hello Central, Give Me Heaven 1901- Gospel song by Charles K. Harris.
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) I’m Working On A Building Traditional African-American gospel song from Pauline Gray arranged by The Carter Family
May 8, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) You’ve Been Fooling Me Baby Circa 1930- Song by Allen Brothers "When You Leave You Leave Me Sad" recorded in 1930.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Longing For Old Virginia 1915- E. Clinton Keithley song "I'm Longing for Old Virginia and You."
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) March Winds Goin’ To Blow My Blues Away 1900s- Rewrite of traditional blues lyrics associated with "Trouble in Mind" and "I Know You Rider": "The sun's gonna shine in my back door some day (2X) Wind's gonna rise and blow my blues away."
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) There’ll Be Joy, Joy, Joy 1800s- 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 1927 American Songbag. A version, "There'll Be No Liars There," was recorded in 1927 by the Hickory Nuts.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- RCA) Home in Tennessee Circa 1925- Song by Maggie Andrews (Alias Carson Robison) titled "My Little Home in Tennessee."
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Are You Tired Of Me My Darling? 1877- Song by Cook and Roland.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) I Cannot Be Your Sweetheart 1899 song written by Abbie Ford titled "Under the Pale Moonlight."
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) My Heart’s Tonight In Texas 1900 also rewrite 1913- This western folk song is credited to Roden-Max S. Witt in 1900. It was published by the title "Down by the Silvery Rio Grande" in 1913 by Dave Weisberg, R. F. Roden, and music- Charles Speidel.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) There’s No Hiding Place Down Here 1800s- Spiritual (No Hiding Place) first recorded by the Famous Jubilee Singers in 1927. The probable source is the Carter's African-American contacts Leslie Riddle and Pauline Gray.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Cowboy’s Wild Song To His Herd 1912- Based on a poem in Rhymes from the Rangeland. Wesley Beggs is considered to be the original author of the text of this song.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Evening Bells Are Ringing 1934- based on an unknown song by A.P. Carter
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Mountains of Tennessee, The Unknown (1934)- unknown song. Seems like a rewrite of the song, "Sweet Sunny South." The song has different chords and melody but the lyrics and form are very similar. The "cool shady nook" line is found in Katie Kline.
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) I’ll Be Home Someday Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Faded Coat Of Blue 1865- Civil War song by J.H. McNaughton
December 11, 1934 Camden, NJ (Victor- Bluebird) Sailor Boy 1800s- Traditional ballad listed as "The Faithful Sailor Boy" [Laws K13] and by Meade as "Sailor Boy's Farewell." It was first recorded by Gid Tanner of Skillet Licker fame in 1924. Vernon Dalhart's 1925 version titled "Sailor Boy's Farewell" was popular.
...........SUMMARY.........There are 135 different songs recorded by the Carters in the RCA Victor years: 1927-1934. Ralph Peer, Victor's Artists and Repertoire (A&R) executive who was responsible for talent scouting in Victor's Country Music Division, signed the Carter Family in 1927 and managed the Carters as well as the other Victor star, Jimmie Rodgers.
When Peer left RCA Victor in 1932 as the sole owner of Southern Music Publishing, he remained the Carters manager. The Carters still recorded for Victor and Peer's replacement Eli Oberstein on Victor's discount label Bluebird. After the Carters 1934 final Victor sessions were they switched the ARC label. They returned to record their final session with Victor's Bluebird label in 1941. That session will be included in the next section Carters 1935-1941 Sessions.
CARTER FAMILY RECORDINGS: VARIOUS RECORD COMPANIES 1935-1941
RECORDING DATE & PLACE--RECORD COMPANY--TITLE--DATE OF (or Approximate date of) ORIGIN--AUTHOR(S)--OTHER TITLES--REFERENCES AND INFO
Carter Family Sources by Date of Recording 1935 American Record Corporation (ARC) Recordings (New Records Only)
In the early 1930s the American Recording Company (ARC) moved in to become a big player in the record industry by buying out small independent labels. ARC purchased Brunswick from Warner Brothers and also picked up Banner, Cameo, Conqueror, Melotone, Pathe, Perfect, OKeh, Romeo and Vocalion. ARC became a giant in 1934 by purchasing Columbia, which had sold to radio manufacturer Grisby-Grunow a few years earlier, but went bankrupt.
May 5, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Glory To The Lamb Circa 1900- Hymn Collection titled the “New Onward and Upward”
May 5, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Behind Those Stone Walls Early 1900s- traditional folk song titled “Saint Louis, Bright City” Laws E35d and also known as "Behind the Great Wall" arranged by Carters from an unknown source.
May 5, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Sinking In The Lonesome Sea 1685 broadside- Version of "The Golden Willow Tree" or "Lowlands Low" which is the English ballad "The Golden Vanity" Child 286.
May 6, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) He Took A Rose From Her Hair Early 1900s- Traditional song "The (Little) White Rose" arranged by Carter Family.
May 6, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Can The Circle Be Unbroken (Bye And Bye) Chorus 1907 Ada Habershon, Music: Charles Gabriel as "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Verses unknown may be from earlier Welling-McGhee recording.
May 6, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Let’s Be Lovers Again 1893 song by Gussie Davis titled, "Jack and May (Make Up and Be Lover's Again)."
May 6, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Your Mother Still Prays (For You Jack) 1893- Song from F.M. Eliot.
May 6, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Kissing Is A Crime 1800s- Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. It resembles the Scottish song "Some Say that Kissing's a Sin" published in 1829.
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Don’t Forget Me Little Darling 1874- C.W. Vance (Words) and R. S. Crandall (Music).
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Sad And Lonesome Day 1927- Blind Lemon Jefferson's "See that my Grave is Kept Clean." Blues the Carters probably learned it from a member of their Kingsport blues group that included Brownie McGee, Leslie Riddle and Sam Lyons. Also known as "Two White Horses in a Line" and "One Kind Favor."
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) By The Touch Of her Hand Unknown song attributed to A.P. Carter
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) East Virginia Blues No. 2 1800s- Traditional, arranged by Carters.
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) My Virginia Rose Is Blooming Unknown Date; Unknown song collected by Perry in the JOAFL 1945. It seems like a rewrite by A.P. of "Yellow Rose of Texas."
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) My Texas Girl Unknown Date- Unknown western song possibly a rewrite of one of the "Sleepy Rio Grande" songs. Bob Miller's 1934 songbook had the song "Sleepy Rio grande." Other titles include: "Where the Sleepy Rio's Flowing," and "By the Sleepy Rio Grande." Possibly based on the Carson Robison, Frank Luther song "Sleepy Rio Grande" backed by "When it's springtime in the Rockies" which was a huge hit for Victor in 1929.
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) No Other’s Bride I’ll Be 1869- C.A. White's song "Widow in the Cottage by the Sea." Meade references another publication in 1869 by C. P. Bishop. Another song "Cottage by the Sea" by J. R Thomas is a diferent song.
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Gathering Flowers From The Hillside 1800s, collected Belden 1909- Traditional song; arranged by The Carter Family.
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Gospel Ship Circa 1900- Traditional gospel song arranged by Carter Family. Also named "Old Gospel Ship."
May 7, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Little Black Train Late 1800s (Cohen)- Traditional gospel song arranged by the Carter Family.
May 8, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Keep On The Sunny Side 1899 Gospel song by Ada Blenkhorn and J Howard Entwisle.
May 8, 1935 New York, NY (ARC) Fate of Dewey Lee 1935- Song about the January 31, 1931 murder of Dewey Lee. Based on a poem sent to A.P. Carter.
..........ARC SUMMARY........Under Peer’s guidance they changed record labels in 1935, re-recording much of their Victor material for the American Recording Company (ARC) and 20 new songs including the hit, “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” At $75 a side the Carters made a lot of money re-recording their old hits. Peer owned the Carters copyrights so re-recording was profitable to him as well.
Carter Family Sources by Date of Recording 1936-38 Decca Recordings
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934. The Carter Family began a two-year association with Decca in 1936 during which they waxed 60 more songs ("Little Joe" was previously recorded as "Darling Little Joe" in 1934; "Bring Back My Boy" was "Bring Back My Blue Eyed Boy" recorded in 1929), and were at a performance peak. Unlike ARC, Decca insisted on fresh material (or at least titles!).
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) My Dixie Darling 1907- song by Gillispie and Weinrich titled "Dixie Darlings."
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Give Me Your Love And I’ll Give You Mine 1902- L. A. Davis- lyrics M. J. Fitzpatrick- music "You Give Me Your Love [And I'll Give You Mine]"
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Are You Lonesome Tonight? 1926- Lyrics Roy Turk, music Lou Hindman.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Last Move For Me Circa 1926-Gospel song by Herbert Buffum (1879-1939) "When I make My Last Move."
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Wayworn Traveler, The 1836- Song by John B. Matthias "Deliverance will Come." Recorded by Uncle Dave Macon in 1926.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Just Another Broken Heart 1890s- Carter's arrangement of the folk song usually known as "Only Flirting," "Only a Broken Heart" or "She was Only Flirting."
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) When Silver Threads Are Gold Again 1875- Song by Eben Rexford and Hart Danks.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) There’s No One Like Mother To Me 1877 (1885 Davis)- 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, Ohio. Gussie Davis also published the song in 1885.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) In A Little Village Churchyard 1918- "In That Dear Old Village Churchyard" from Primitive Baptist Hymn Book and Tune Book compiled by Elder John Daily. Needs confirmation. Another song has the same title "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.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Jealous Hearted Me 1924- Based on traditional blues lyrics by Lovie Austin, “Jealous Hearted Blues” recorded by Ma Rainey. Arranged by The Carter Family from Leslie Riddle.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) My Native Home 1855- "My Dear, My Native Home", music by John Rogers Thomas, words by Charles Hart. Carters learned from a woman in Russell County, VA.
June 8, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Sweet Heaven In My View 1800s- Traditional gospel song from both African-American and white sources usually known as "Heaven in my View" and "Got Heaven in my View."
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) No Depression Circa 1936- James David Vaughan, published in his songbooks. Also known as "No Depression in Heaven."
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Bonnie Blue Eyes 1800s- Traditional arranged by Carters. “Goodbye, Little Bonnie, Blue Eyes” was first reported "written" in 1907 by Louise Rand Bascom in the 1909 JOAFL. She also states that it was "ten years older at least."
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) My Honey Lou 1897- Song by Frank M. Statia. A different song with the same title "My Honey Lou" was written in 1904 by Thurland Chattaway.
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) In The Shadow Of The Pines 1895- Song by Hattie Lummis and G.O. Long
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Answer To Weeping Willow 1936- A rewrite by the Carters of "Bury Me Beneath The Willow."
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) You’ve Been A Friend To Me 1868- Song by Will S. Hays;
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Where The Silvery Colorado Wends Its Way 1901-song by C.H. Scroggins and Charles Avril. Recordings date back to 1902. The Carters 1932 version was probably based on an earlier country recording by Emry Auther or Frank Luther.
June 9, 1936 New York, NY (Decca) Lay My Head Beneath The Rose 1879 by Ned Straight; 1897 Madison and Faulkenstein.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Broken Down Tramp 1870s- Words and Music by Thomas Herrington related to "Broken Down Sport."
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Lover’s Lane Unknown c 1900- "Lover's Lane" was apparently the first title for the song "You're The Girl of My Dreams." The song could be a rewrite of "Down de Lover's Lane" by Will Marion Cook c 1900. Not Confirmed
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Hold Fast To The Right 1906- Gospel song by James Vaughan;
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Lord I’m In Your Care Early 1900s- Traditional spiritual and is sometimes titled "Oh Lord, I'm in your Care." It was recorded first by Edward Clayborn in 1927.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Funny When You Feel That Way 1873- "It's Funny when you Feel that Way" by George Harris. Per Charles Wolfe, credits G.W. Hunt.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) In The Shadow Of Clinch Mountain Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Hello Stranger Early 1900s- Traditional blues lyrics arranged by Carter Family.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Never Let The Devil Get The Upper Hand Of You 1684 England 1800s US- Version of the traditional ballad, "Knoxville Girl," which is the US version of the "Wittham Miller/Berkshire Tragedy/ Cruel Miller" large group of songs from the British Isles, originating as "The Bloody Miller" in 1684. In the US it is known as "The Wexford Girl," "The Oxford Tragedy," "The Expert Girl," Johnny McDowell," "The Prentice Boy."
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) When This Evening Sun Goes Down Unknown date (1937)- Unknown gospel song.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Jim Blake’s Message Circa 1909, 1910 issue of "Railroad Man's Magazine" Rewritten by Carson Robison with Peter Condon- lyrics in 1927.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Honey In That Rock 1895- Gospel song by Frederick A. Graves.
June 17, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Look How This World Has Made A Change 1800s- Traditional spiritual arranged by J.B Vaughan in 1912 and recorded by the famous Vaughan Quartet in 1928.
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Little Girl That Played On My Knee, The Late 1800s Unknown (1937 by Carters)- Based on an unknown parlor song. In the repertoire of Jennie Devlin (1865-1952) as "The Little Valley" which combines this song with a version of "Red River Valley."
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) You Better Let That Liar Alone early 1900s (1919)- "Let That Liar Alone" is a spiritual found in the Joyful Meeting in Glory Song Book No. 1 in 1919. The first recording is by Edward Clayton in 1927.
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Farewell Nellie 1800s-reworking of traditional material by Sara Carter
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Only Girl (I Ever Cared About), The 1899- Will Cobb (Words) Gus Edwards (Music) originally titled "You Are The Only Girl I Ever Cared About."
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Goodbye To The Plains Early 1900s- Traditional Western song "The Dying Cowboy of Rim Rock Ranch" arranged by Carter Family. Tune is "The Mule Song," by Edward Harrigan and Dave Braham, pub. 1882.
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) My Home’s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains 1800s- Traditional folk song collected by Louise Bascom Rand as "My Own True Love" in 1909. Bascom Lamar Lunsford stated that this song can be classified as a "Straw-ride song." Possibly it is based upon an old religious song, "Oh, How I Love Jesus."
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) Dark Haired True Lover 1918 text is in Robert Gordon Collection #1536; Traditional Folk song;
June 18, 1937 New York, NY (Decca) He Never Came Back 1891- Words and music by William Jerome. Also titled "When We Meet on that Beautiful Shore."
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Happy in Prison Early 1900s- Traditional African-American Spiritual also known as "When I Lay my Burdens Down" arranged by Carter Family.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Walking The King’s Highway 1901- Gospel song by A.J. Showalter.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) St. Regious Girl 1800s- Usually "St. Regis Girl," it refers to an indian maiden. Version of "Red River Valley."
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Just A Few More Days 1922- Traditional hymn from Hymns of Praise: For the Church and Sunday School by F. G. Kingsbury -Hymns, English page 15. Needs confirmation.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Bring Back My boy 1800s- same song as Bring Back My Blue Eyed Boy recorded in 1929. Name changed to avoid copyright infringement.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) It Is Better Farther On 1836 one verse; (1877) Trad. Arranged by L. Thompson (1911) Traditional gospel song arranged by The Carter Family.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Charlie And Nellie Traditional folk song based on earlier recordings "Nellie Dare and Charlie Brooks"
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Cuban Soldier Late 1800s early 1900s- based on an unknown song or lyrics. Sara said they got the "poetry" and either she or Maybelle put music to it.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Heart That Was broken For Me, The 1914- Southern gospel song by Judson W. Van De Venter (1855-1939)
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) You’re Nothing More To Me Unknown (Carters 1941)- Unknown parlor song titled "Thou Art Nothing More To Me" by Meade. It was collected and published in Frank Brown NC folk songs by Belden in 1952.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Stern Old Bachelor 1800s Traditional song related to the 1860 song, "I'm a Jolly Bachelor." "Stern Old Bachelor" first referenced in print in the 1887 newspaper "Dighton Republic" in Kansas. Possibly based on Chubby Parker's versions titled "I'm A Stern Old Bachelor."
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Little Joe 1866- by V. E. Marsten "Death of Little Joe." First recording was "Darling Little Joe" in 1934.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Reckless Motorman 1900s- Traditional reworked by A.P. Carter Rewrite of the "Dying Brakeman" and the related "True and Trembling Brakeman" songs. According to Cohen a brakeman is also referred to as a motorman. He also said A.P collected the song on a collecting trip in Southwest, Virginia in 1937 or 1938.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) You Denied Your Love Unknown (Carters 1938)- Unknown song.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Oh, Take Me Back 1938- Traditional blues arranged by the Carters. Looks like the 3rd verse could be original. Leslie Riddle was an influence on the Carters blues songs.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) You Are My Flower Unknown (1938)- Unknown song attributed to A.P. Carter.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Who’s That Knocking At My Window 1817 as "Drowsy Sleeper"- Traditional English ballad the Drowsy Sleeper also know as "Awake Awake" and "Silver Dagger." 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.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) They Call Her Mother Unknown Date (1938)- Unknown Song, probably by one of the Carters or their fans.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Coal Miner’s Blues Early 1900s- arranged and collected by Leslie Riddle/A.P. Carter; traditional lyrics from VA coal camp.
June 8, 1938 Charlotte, NC (Decca) Young Freda Bolt 1930- Song by Doc Shanks written in 1930 that the Carters recorded about the murder of Freeda Bolt Dec. 13, 1929 in Floyd County, VA. The Floyd County Ramblers released a version in 1930.
Carter Family Sources by Date of Recording: 1940 Columbia/Okeh/Conqueror Recordings (New Records Only)
In 1938 ARC was bought by CBS network founder William Paley. The Columbia name was kept under the CBS umbrella. In October 1940 the Carter family recorded 20 songs released on ARC/Columbia's Okeh and Conqueror labels.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Little Poplar Log House On The Hill 1930s (may be based on earlier song)- Callahan Brothers on August 16, 1934.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Dying Mother, The 1881 Nona Lawson- words and C. M. Tate- music.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Buddies In The Saddle1940- Based on an unknown song or original, attributed to Maybelle Carter.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Heaven’s Radio 1930s- Gospel song, no confirmed source, arranged by Carter Family.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Beautiful Home 1898- Song by J. Howard Entwisle and Johnson Oatman
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) There’ll Be No Distinction There Early 1900s- Traditional or based on an unknown gospel song. Carters version based on African-American sources/Blind Alfred Reed in 1929.
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Give Him One More As He Goes 1884- Words and Music by Ike Brown "I'll Give You One More as You Go."
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Lonesome For You Darling 1940- Unknown song
October 3, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Blackie’s Gunman Unknown Date; Rewrite of an unknown song. Referenced to Wilgus.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) You’ve Got To Righten That Wrong Unknown (1940)- Unknown gospel song
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Meeting In The Air 1900s- Unknown gospel song. Possible rewrite of the 1908 Pentecostal Hymn by I.G. Martin.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) My Home Among The Hills Unknown date (1940); Based on an unknown song. Similar to Autry hit song "Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine."
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Black Jack David 1740 (Ramsay) Child 200 "Gypsy Davy"- traditional English folk song; arrangement taken from Cliff Carlisle’s 1939 version which was based on David Myrick's earlier version.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Look Away From The Cross 1895 (1901 by Meade)- F.L. Eiland gospel song "From the Cross To The Crown." Professor F.L. Eiland, was a noted hymn writer whose "Hold to God's Unchanging Hands" became widely used in American churches.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) We Shall Rise 1904- J.E. Thomas gospel song "Hallelujah, We Shall Rise."
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) I Found You Among The Roses 1913 song by George Pitman.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Bear Creek Blues 1940- traditional blues verses (1920-1940) from Blind Lemon Jefferson and others from Leslie Riddle arranged by Carters. The Carters added Bear Creek to the verses.
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) I’ll Never Forsake You Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) Beautiful Isle O’er The Sea Collected 1919 as traditional song “Beautiful Light O’er The Sea” probably based on an earlier song, similar to George Copper's song "Beautiful Isle of the Sea."
October 4, 1940 Chicago, IL (Okeh/Conqueror) It’s A Long Long Road To Travel Alone 1931 words and music by BAD [pseud of Mrs. WH Do France]. Arranged by Maybelle Carter. Needs confirmation.
Carter Family Sources by Date of Recording: 1941 Victor/Bluebird Final Recordings (New Records Only)
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Why Do You Cry Little Darling? 1941- Song (according to their biographers) written by Maybelle Carter. The song references upcoming World War II.
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) You Tied A Love Knot In My Heart Unknown (Carters 1941)- Unknown song possibly based on the title of Wilf Carter's "There's a Love Knot in My Lariat."
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Lonesome Homesick Blues circa 1941- written by Maybelle Carter. According to the Carters biography she wrote the song when she was missing Eck, her husband. She also used a blues lick learned from Leslie Riddle.
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Dark And Stormy Weather Early 1900s- based on the traditional song "I Don't Know Why I Love Her/Him"
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) In The Valley Of The Shenandoah Date unknown- Based on an unknown song. Arranged by The Carter Family
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Girl On The Greenbrier Shore 1910- Traditional song collected Combs; Arranged by The Carter Family. Wolfe: based on an incident which occurred in 1896.
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Something Got A Hold Of Me 1930s- Gospel song by Warren Caplinger, is best known as "Cap" of Cap, Andy and Flip, a gospel singing trio who played over WMMN, Fairmont.
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Fifty Miles of Elbow Room No Date known; written by Herbert Buffum 1879-1939
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Keep On The Firing Line 1915- Southern gospel song by Bessie F. Hatcher.
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Waves On The Sea 1765- Tradional English ballad based on The Mermaid (Child 289). Different titles are: "The Wrecked Ship" "Black Friday," "Waves on the Sea," "Three Sailor Boys," "The Sinking Ship," and "Raging Sea."
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) Rambling Boy, The 1830 (broadside, Bodleian Harding B 25(2054))- English folk song classified by Laws as "The Wild and Wicked Youth" [Laws L12].
October 14, 1941 New York, NY (Victor/Bluebird) You’re Gonna Be Sorry You Let Me Down Unknown (1941)- The JOAFL tried to trace this song and couldn't find the source.
............SUMMARY.............. The Carters last session for Victor yielded 12 songs, several whose sources have not been identified. The fall of 1941 was the Carters last stint on Border Radio. Sara had remarried Coy Bayes and moved permanently to California to live with him. Consolidated Royal sponsored the Carter family for another season in the fall of 1942 on WBT, a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sara traveled from California to participate in the show.
In March 1943 with the Charlotte contract having run its term, Sara returned to her home in California, and the original Carter Family was no more. Maybelle and her daughters continued performing first as The Carters Sisters and then as Mother Maybelle and The Carter Sisters. A.P. went back to his "Clinch Mountain Home" and lived out the next two decades in relative obscurity, the odd man out in a new and reconfigured Carter musical clan. He ran a store, maintained a modest orchard, and enjoyed the company of his daughters, Janette and Gladys, and his son, Joe.