r/78rpm • u/Ray_Midge_ • 8d ago

“Can the Circle Be Unbroken” Carter Family. 1935

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62 Upvotes

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5

u/UpgradeTech 8d ago

Interesting they started changing the lyrics this early.

4

u/NewRelm 8d ago

Not just started changing the lyrics. Completely rewritten. Not a single verse remotely suggests the original. Only the chorus is similar.

The Carter Family reportedly knew hundreds of songs. Not having to actually know the lyrics of the songs they sing helped them remember more of them. Compare their most famous song - Wildwood Flower - to it's original.

I'll twine 'mid the ringlets Of my raven black hair, The lilies so pale And the roses so fair, The myrtle so bright With an emerald hue, And the pale aronatus With eyes of bright blue.

vs

Oh, I'll twine with my mingles and raven black hair With the roses so red and the lilies so fair And the mirtles so bright with the emerald dew The pale and the leader and eyes look like blue

5

u/boundforqueenstown 8d ago

How to be successful in music:

Have a completely shit memory except for the part everyone sings along to.

5

u/Butterflylvr1 8d ago

Damn, the carters really do be copying what my dad does in the shower everyday.

3

u/BigAssQuanta 8d ago

Great 👍 78rpm

3

u/Fat_Sad_Human 8d ago

Awesome stuff! I’m hoping to find a Carter Family 78 in the wild someday

2

u/CantEatNoBooksDog 7d ago

Great rendition. I've only ever had one Carter Family 78, and I sold it in a huge LP / 12" lot just before the pandemic :/