Publication Date

1-1976

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Mary Clarke, Lynwood Montell, Kenneth Clarke

Degree Program

Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

The recorded repertory of the original Carter Family was analyzed for traditional influences. Of the 119 songs examined, it was found that fifty-five, roughly one-fourth of their total repertory, have definite roots in one or more traditional sources. The Carters employed traditional texts within their repertory throughout their professional career. Three genres of song were analyzed: sentimental songs, religious songs, and ballads. Of these, sentimental songs was the largest category with 113 songs. These songs were found to be remarkably similar in thematic content and moral sensibilities to Victorian parlor songs (ca. 1860-1910). The religious songs were shown to be influenced by several religious persuasions current in the Southern mountains. Black influences were most significant in the Carter spiritual repertory, roughly 17 percent of their sacred numbers deriving from Black sources. Carter Family balladry exhibits the most influence from tradition. The Carters recorded four Child ballads, six British broadsides, and six traditional American ballads. As a whole, the Carter family repertory demonstrates the Carters' eclectic approach to music as they employed texts and tunes from a variety of traditional and contemporary musical resources.

Disciplines

Anthropology | Arts and Humanities | Ethnomusicology | Folklore | History | Music | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Social History | Women's History

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