Keep On The Sunny Side

From Vol. 1
Traditional Treasures

SUGGESTED KEY: C

CAPO: None

CHORD FAMILY: C

TIME SIGNATURE: 4/4

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

A Little About This Song…

In 1899, Ada Blenkhorn was inspired to write this Christian hymn centered around a phrase used by her nephew; Blenkhorn’s nephew was disabled and always asked to have his wheelchair pushed down “the sunny side” of the street. It was set to music by J. Howard Entwisle. The Carter Family learned of the song from a relative who was a music teacher and recorded it in 1928.

Keep on the Sunny Side became the Carter Family theme song on the radio in later years and was more recently featured in the blockbuster movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? sung by The Whites. A gold record of the song now lies embedded in A.P. Carter’s tombstone.