I'd be interested to know whether the language is American Civil War era. Could it be a reworking of an earlier song ... this was done so often. Does anyone think the lyrics might have roots in an earlier era, as often happens?
Buell Kazee, from Magoffin Co, Kentucky (in SE Ky.), did sing "famished" brave in the 1928 recording. His wife provided a copy of his lyrics for the Magoffin Co. Historical Society's periodical many years later. The original Carter Family played in our home town in the mid 30's. My mother saw them at the local show. She said Sara sat while Maybelle stood and A.P. was off in the wings somewhere. It is possible that A.P. transcribed this while listening to someone sing it and heard Spanish.
This was a song that A.P. collected and worked it up as he would have said. A cousin of mine, Buell Kazee, from Magoffin Co., Kentucky, recorded this around 1928, the Carter Family vesion was recorded in 1934. It is a beautiful song that I once asked Maybelle to sing, but it was one that she didn't remember all the words to at the time. John Hugh McNaughton wrote the song at the end of the Civil War. A monument in our home town has many family member names, North and South.
Thanks for these lovely old heartland classics! I just received an email from Anita Cart'er's daughter yesterday. What a wonderful gift from God they all are...
Regarding "famished" or "Spanish"...keep in mind this was when recording was in it's infancy. Multi-track recorders (if existent at this time) were not available to Peer either due to cost or portability. In making the recording the group basically gathered around the mic and played the song, in one take, all the way through. They didn't have the luxury of unlimited takes to get the song perfect. I think Sara might've mis-read/mis-pronounced the word and it was left that way.
True about the slave for freedom but BUT it was only offered to slaves in few counties around RIchmond about four weeks before FIve Forks and Appomattox.
I live in central Kentucky...and as bad as it hurts me to admit, My ancesters all married Yankees! I reckon they knew more about what was goin' on in those days than me! Their grandfathers fought for freedom from England! We were loyal to the United States. Central Kentucky is not cotton land, and a family that owned a slave was very well off! I'm glad that they, like the Romans who held us as slaves before, were set free!
@pds3939 It turns out that in the Applachians the Union/Confederate support was very unpredictable and everyone knew people on the other side. West Virginia is famous for being Union and seperating from Virginia over that issue.
Sara definitely sings "Spanish brave" and I reason that it was done intentionally.
The Spanish American War was fought in what most would call recently at that time.
Because the Carter Family sang the USA it is my belief that AP Carter was wise and kind enough to use "Spanish" and distance the song from the Civil War.
@fscofi A mother's grief over her fallen soldier son doesn't depend on the war (or the side) that he died in.
I think you're right, AP probably changed the words to refer to the (then) recent
Spanish conflict, focusing the song on mourning a dead son.
Many in the audience knew the original words. The change let them know that its a mourning song, rather than a "never forget" or a "the south will rise again" song.
@mikerickson01 This song is written about the Civil War not the Spanish War.Listen to the words, the soldier is hungry and is a 'famished brave' not Spanish! Later in the song it also mentions if he could get a crumb to eat his mother would be forever grateful.It makes no sense,the Blue coat is a Union Soldier.My great-uncle died in the Civil War,his brother,my great-grandpa.was also in the war and survived and lived until 1922.They were both Union.
Yes, they do say "Spanish"! Reference it the Spanish American War is a very good possibility instead of The War Between the States. As mentioned, All border states had men on both sides, other states as well.
My great-grandpa was in the Civil War ,in the union. He survived,but, his younger brother was killed in battle, So this could have been written about him. I never heard this song before. Sad!
The Southern states provided an estimated 200,000 Union soldiers. Tennessee provided 44,000 of them alone! EVERY Southern state had their Union enclaves and provided "homespun" Yankee soldiers. SW Virginia, where the Carter's were from was a hotbed of Unionists. Check out the old Grayson & Whitter recording from the '20's, "He's Coming To Us Dead". It's about the return of such a soldier.
@nihilas88 A.P. Carter was somewhere around 6'2 and 6'3, depending on different accounts. The ladies were both short, and this seems to exaggerate his height.
I wonder if they use 'Spanish' because they were from the south and didn't want to reference the northern soldiers in their song. Refering it to the Spanish-American war was more neutral to their southern fans.
Yes, they do say "Spanish"! Reference it the Spanish American War is a very good possibility instead of The War Between the States. As mentioned, All border states had men on both sides, other states as well.
The Carters may very well have said "Spanish" in this song. Sure sounds like it. The song was written by John Hugh McNaughton (1829-1891) in1865. I've seen the date as 1862, as well. McNaughton's lyrics do, in fact, say, "...among the famished brave."
The Carters do seem to be saying "Spanish". The song was written by a John Hugh McNaughton (1829-1891) in 1865 (I've seen the year as 1862, as well) as a Civil War song. His lyrics do say "...among the famished brave." And, all Southern states provided a number of Union soldiers. Some say SC did not, however, there was an African-American Union regiment that came from there. Just some tidbits.
@scotohibernicus Another tidbit; There were also some black Confederates! They were willing, not forced. The details of history will always confound the broad assumptions that many are repeatedly taught these days.
They didn't say "Spanish". The words are "famished brave..."
It's true there were people of Tennessee that were loyal to the Union, just as there were people from Virginia loyal to the Union and people from Kentucky loyal to the Confederacy.
It looks she made a mistake in saying "Spanish" instead of "famished." It would be very hard to believe the word was supposed to be "Spanish." The Spanish Civil War was many decades later.
There is a vinyl album simply titled Maybelle and she sings this song with several others of course, but this one is done with her daughters and others. See what happens if you look for that album. The version I refer to is the most beautiful one I've heard.
Thank you ccezrider65 for your response. I meant no disrespect to your ancestor, I got hung up on the words of the phrase, "among the Spanish brave," within the second phrase of the song. As I'm sure you are aware the Spanish were not involved in our Civil War. Maybe the version the Carters are singing came later than J.H. MacNaughton's and was changed to fit the Spanish American War at that time. You do know you can renew the copy write in your name, I believe.
Just a note on this - Buell Kazee also recorded a version in the 20's that is more along the Civil War lines - his version says "among the famished brave".
This song was written about the Spanish American War. The other lady is the 3rd member of the original Carter Family, Sarah. Whom, I believe, is Maybelle's sister or cousin. I think A.P. was Sarah's husband. Google Maybelle's bio to confirm.
This is a U.S. Civil War song; NOT a Spanish American War tune. It was written (lyrics and melody) by my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, John Hugh MacNaughton (J.H. McNaughton), in 1864, I believe- Firth Publishing Co., NY. It has been performed by many-internationally. Due to copyright law, it has been claimed by many as their own creation, without proper respect to the originator-the bard and composer, J. H. McNaughton.
thanks for the song and that. I am a big fan of the Carter family i love country music. I haven't herd that song before. That is a pic of A.P Carter and Maybelle is it and how the other one?
If you liked this song then try Melba Montgomery's version of the song "No Charge". I think you're really going to like it, and it will make you feel good, too.
I'd be interested to know whether the language is American Civil War era. Could it be a reworking of an earlier song ... this was done so often. Does anyone think the lyrics might have roots in an earlier era, as often happens?
Juliemorgana 5 months ago
Buell Kazee, from Magoffin Co, Kentucky (in SE Ky.), did sing "famished" brave in the 1928 recording. His wife provided a copy of his lyrics for the Magoffin Co. Historical Society's periodical many years later. The original Carter Family played in our home town in the mid 30's. My mother saw them at the local show. She said Sara sat while Maybelle stood and A.P. was off in the wings somewhere. It is possible that A.P. transcribed this while listening to someone sing it and heard Spanish.
wmoday 6 months ago
This was a song that A.P. collected and worked it up as he would have said. A cousin of mine, Buell Kazee, from Magoffin Co., Kentucky, recorded this around 1928, the Carter Family vesion was recorded in 1934. It is a beautiful song that I once asked Maybelle to sing, but it was one that she didn't remember all the words to at the time. John Hugh McNaughton wrote the song at the end of the Civil War. A monument in our home town has many family member names, North and South.
wmoday 6 months ago
Thanks for these lovely old heartland classics! I just received an email from Anita Cart'er's daughter yesterday. What a wonderful gift from God they all are...
Waynedog1 7 months ago
Regarding "famished" or "Spanish"...keep in mind this was when recording was in it's infancy. Multi-track recorders (if existent at this time) were not available to Peer either due to cost or portability. In making the recording the group basically gathered around the mic and played the song, in one take, all the way through. They didn't have the luxury of unlimited takes to get the song perfect. I think Sara might've mis-read/mis-pronounced the word and it was left that way.
blugras32 11 months ago 2
True about the slave for freedom but BUT it was only offered to slaves in few counties around RIchmond about four weeks before FIve Forks and Appomattox.
andylarson19591 1 year ago 2
I live in central Kentucky...and as bad as it hurts me to admit, My ancesters all married Yankees! I reckon they knew more about what was goin' on in those days than me! Their grandfathers fought for freedom from England! We were loyal to the United States. Central Kentucky is not cotton land, and a family that owned a slave was very well off! I'm glad that they, like the Romans who held us as slaves before, were set free!
pds3939 1 year ago
@pds3939 It turns out that in the Applachians the Union/Confederate support was very unpredictable and everyone knew people on the other side. West Virginia is famous for being Union and seperating from Virginia over that issue.
deaddoc 1 year ago
Sara definitely sings "Spanish brave" and I reason that it was done intentionally.
The Spanish American War was fought in what most would call recently at that time.
Because the Carter Family sang the USA it is my belief that AP Carter was wise and kind enough to use "Spanish" and distance the song from the Civil War.
fscofi 1 year ago
@fscofi A mother's grief over her fallen soldier son doesn't depend on the war (or the side) that he died in.
I think you're right, AP probably changed the words to refer to the (then) recent
Spanish conflict, focusing the song on mourning a dead son.
Many in the audience knew the original words. The change let them know that its a mourning song, rather than a "never forget" or a "the south will rise again" song.
mikerickson01 1 year ago
@mikerickson01 This song is written about the Civil War not the Spanish War.Listen to the words, the soldier is hungry and is a 'famished brave' not Spanish! Later in the song it also mentions if he could get a crumb to eat his mother would be forever grateful.It makes no sense,the Blue coat is a Union Soldier.My great-uncle died in the Civil War,his brother,my great-grandpa.was also in the war and survived and lived until 1922.They were both Union.
estelle715 1 year ago 2
Yes, they do say "Spanish"! Reference it the Spanish American War is a very good possibility instead of The War Between the States. As mentioned, All border states had men on both sides, other states as well.
b46kim 2 years ago
My great-grandpa was in the Civil War ,in the union. He survived,but, his younger brother was killed in battle, So this could have been written about him. I never heard this song before. Sad!
estelle715 2 years ago 2
The Southern states provided an estimated 200,000 Union soldiers. Tennessee provided 44,000 of them alone! EVERY Southern state had their Union enclaves and provided "homespun" Yankee soldiers. SW Virginia, where the Carter's were from was a hotbed of Unionists. Check out the old Grayson & Whitter recording from the '20's, "He's Coming To Us Dead". It's about the return of such a soldier.
scotohibernicus 2 years ago
In parts of East Tennessee, there were Southerners who were Union Loyalists.
Little known fact. Had ancestors from there.
davidgambill71 2 years ago
does someone know how tall the man on the photo is? he looks very tall
nihilas88 2 years ago
I guess, he was round 1,90.
Hexenkatze 2 years ago
my guess would be maybe 6 foot or a little over?
orckiller91 2 years ago
i would say 6 feet 6 inchs easy
ELVISCHEVY2 2 years ago
@nihilas88 A.P. Carter was somewhere around 6'2 and 6'3, depending on different accounts. The ladies were both short, and this seems to exaggerate his height.
seancoxen 1 year ago
I wonder if they use 'Spanish' because they were from the south and didn't want to reference the northern soldiers in their song. Refering it to the Spanish-American war was more neutral to their southern fans.
homerick 2 years ago
more likely they wanted to make it real clear that their dear boy warn't no damn yankee
mempheel 2 years ago
Yes, they do say "Spanish"! Reference it the Spanish American War is a very good possibility instead of The War Between the States. As mentioned, All border states had men on both sides, other states as well.
b46kim 2 years ago
The Carters may very well have said "Spanish" in this song. Sure sounds like it. The song was written by John Hugh McNaughton (1829-1891) in1865. I've seen the date as 1862, as well. McNaughton's lyrics do, in fact, say, "...among the famished brave."
scotohibernicus 2 years ago
The Carters do seem to be saying "Spanish". The song was written by a John Hugh McNaughton (1829-1891) in 1865 (I've seen the year as 1862, as well) as a Civil War song. His lyrics do say "...among the famished brave." And, all Southern states provided a number of Union soldiers. Some say SC did not, however, there was an African-American Union regiment that came from there. Just some tidbits.
scotohibernicus 2 years ago
@scotohibernicus Another tidbit; There were also some black Confederates! They were willing, not forced. The details of history will always confound the broad assumptions that many are repeatedly taught these days.
deaddoc 1 year ago
@deaddoc
Confederates offered slaves their freedom in return for fighting for Dixie.
The Union already had black soldiers fighting for them, and had more of them.
And the Emancipation Proclamation was partially to break the value of the Confederate's promise.
ysbaddaden2003 1 year ago
They didn't say "Spanish". The words are "famished brave..."
It's true there were people of Tennessee that were loyal to the Union, just as there were people from Virginia loyal to the Union and people from Kentucky loyal to the Confederacy.
Another great Carter Family song!!!
b46kim 2 years ago
It's pretty clear that she says "Spanish".....regardless of the way the song was written.
blugras32 2 years ago
Fantastic.Loved this.And look what a dynasty The Carter family were.Fab.Thanx for this.
tuktukskagal 2 years ago 2
It looks she made a mistake in saying "Spanish" instead of "famished." It would be very hard to believe the word was supposed to be "Spanish." The Spanish Civil War was many decades later.
mars5 2 years ago
There is a relatively inexpensive 5 disc CD of the Original Carter family available
It is on disc E of the collection. It is a great value and it covers the Carter's recordings until circa 1934 Do a search and you will find it.
fscofi 2 years ago
My dad is desparately trying to get a copy of this song. How can I get it for him??
libranlady70 2 years ago
There is a vinyl album simply titled Maybelle and she sings this song with several others of course, but this one is done with her daughters and others. See what happens if you look for that album. The version I refer to is the most beautiful one I've heard.
USSAult 2 years ago
Heck buy him a copy of Jolie Holland's album Escondida. She does a gorgeous version.
highway14kid 2 years ago
Thank you ccezrider65 for your response. I meant no disrespect to your ancestor, I got hung up on the words of the phrase, "among the Spanish brave," within the second phrase of the song. As I'm sure you are aware the Spanish were not involved in our Civil War. Maybe the version the Carters are singing came later than J.H. MacNaughton's and was changed to fit the Spanish American War at that time. You do know you can renew the copy write in your name, I believe.
USSAult 3 years ago
Just a note on this - Buell Kazee also recorded a version in the 20's that is more along the Civil War lines - his version says "among the famished brave".
teethadore 2 years ago
This song was written about the Spanish American War. The other lady is the 3rd member of the original Carter Family, Sarah. Whom, I believe, is Maybelle's sister or cousin. I think A.P. was Sarah's husband. Google Maybelle's bio to confirm.
USSAult 3 years ago
This is a U.S. Civil War song; NOT a Spanish American War tune. It was written (lyrics and melody) by my Great-Great-Great Grandfather, John Hugh MacNaughton (J.H. McNaughton), in 1864, I believe- Firth Publishing Co., NY. It has been performed by many-internationally. Due to copyright law, it has been claimed by many as their own creation, without proper respect to the originator-the bard and composer, J. H. McNaughton.
ccezrider65 3 years ago 2
thanks for the song and that. I am a big fan of the Carter family i love country music. I haven't herd that song before. That is a pic of A.P Carter and Maybelle is it and how the other one?
shoelover25 3 years ago
Sara Carter is the lead singer of The Original Carter Family, she was AP's wife at the time. Maybelle married AP's brother.
jlabomb 3 years ago
as far as I have read, this is a civil war song but sadly enough it could apply to any of our loved ones lost in battle
frymahhide1982 3 years ago
thanks for the info
shoelover25 3 years ago
If you liked this song then try Melba Montgomery's version of the song "No Charge". I think you're really going to like it, and it will make you feel good, too.
USSAult 3 years ago
What a lovely song.
KenMiddletonUkulele 3 years ago 2
this is beautiful. Thank you so much
motstraumen 3 years ago 2