Wildwood Flower

One of the most famous and beloved American folk songs, "Wildwood Flower" was first published as sheet music in 1860, composed by Joseph Philbrick Webster. It was recorded by the original Carter Family (Maybelle, Sara, and A.P.) in 1928, and covered thousands of times since in both vocal and instrumental arrangements. It is one of the most recognizable tunes in the American songbook.

Maybelle Carter (if you look carefully, you can see Earl Scruggs at the left of the screen):


Rosanne Cash (with Randy Scruggs):

Chet Atkins:

Empty Bottle String Band:

Joan Baez (audio only)

Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters

Clawhammer Ukulele

Woody Guthrie, "Sinking of the Reuben James" (same tune; audio only)

Original Carter Family in 1928 (audio only)

 

3 Comments

  1. Doug Richmond

    Note Maybelle Carter's unique guitar technique, which has received various names over the years.

  2. Steve L.

    Autoharp, not zither. It was a signature instrument for the Carter Family.

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