by Bluegrasscotty » Sun Apr 17, 2022 2:17 pm
My Great Grandmother Dottie Opal (Henley), Robertson used to sing this song in church when I was a boy growing up in the 1970’s & 1980’s.
Her daughter (my Grandmother), was Esther Lourrie (Robertson) Martin & she committed suicide in November of 1963. In the years of the late 1950’s & early 1960’s, she sang on the Ozarks Jubilee & other various early music t.v., programs. When she moved to Nashville her band members included Harold Morrison (played banjo on Blue Kentucky Girl by Emee Lou Harris), and Jimmy Gateley. However she began performing w/Mother Maybell & the Carter Sisters before her death.
My family has recordings of her singing songs she wrote “Dandy Gal”, (Don’t you think you got yourself a Dandy Gal?), just to name one. We also have pictures of her with Johnny Cash as June & him had just began dating at that time.
When my Grandmother took her life, not long after appearing & performing upon the stage at the Rhyman Auditorium with Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters. They shipped my Grandmother’s coffin along with her 2 sons & 2 daughters (2nd oldest was my Mother), back to Springfield, MO., for her burial in Douglas County Missouri.
In the days that followed her death, Mother Maybell & “Pop”, Carter came to my Great Grandparents home in Almartha, MO., to spend the day & brought toys, food & some money home for my family. In my grandmothers Funeral Register I’ve ready names such as Mr. & Mrs. Roy Acuff, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Smith & of course including Pop & Mother Maybelle Carter along with June and her sister.
In the months that followed my grandmothers death my Great Grandmother Dottie Robertson sent a copy of the lyrics “Troublesome Waters”, in to Johnny Cash. It appeared on the “B-Side”, on his next album release. I was always told he recorded that song out of respect for my late Grandmother Esther (Robertson), Martin, and to honor my Great Grandmother & Grandfather Mr. L.P. “Shorty”, Mrs. Dottie (Henley) Robertson.
Just a side note: I was always told that June had confided in my grandmother Esther about Johnny’s desire to kindle a romance w/June. Also that June had asked my late grandmother if “she thought it would be proper, accepted & understood in the country music business”, and I’m sure that “girl talk”, as well as told to me “Esther? Should I go out with Johnny?”, to which my grandmother replied “YES”!
However, back to “Troublesome Waters”, my Great Grandmother sang that song all my life until her own death in 1991. The lyrics by Mr. Enloe sound the closest to what my Great Grandmother sang. I’m sure that both versions have been altered. Example: In the chorus grandma sang “BUT, gently I feel the touch of his hand, guiding my boat throught this weary land”.
Whatever version, whomever wrote it, it is a wonderful & powerful song that blesses all of us & praises our Lord, Jesus Christ & Saviour. I enjoyed reading all your posts. Thank you.
My Great Grandmother Dottie Opal (Henley), Robertson used to sing this song in church when I was a boy growing up in the 1970’s & 1980’s.
Her daughter (my Grandmother), was Esther Lourrie (Robertson) Martin & she committed suicide in November of 1963. In the years of the late 1950’s & early 1960’s, she sang on the Ozarks Jubilee & other various early music t.v., programs. When she moved to Nashville her band members included Harold Morrison (played banjo on Blue Kentucky Girl by Emee Lou Harris), and Jimmy Gateley. However she began performing w/Mother Maybell & the Carter Sisters before her death.
My family has recordings of her singing songs she wrote “Dandy Gal”, (Don’t you think you got yourself a Dandy Gal?), just to name one. We also have pictures of her with Johnny Cash as June & him had just began dating at that time.
When my Grandmother took her life, not long after appearing & performing upon the stage at the Rhyman Auditorium with Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters. They shipped my Grandmother’s coffin along with her 2 sons & 2 daughters (2nd oldest was my Mother), back to Springfield, MO., for her burial in Douglas County Missouri.
In the days that followed her death, Mother Maybell & “Pop”, Carter came to my Great Grandparents home in Almartha, MO., to spend the day & brought toys, food & some money home for my family. In my grandmothers Funeral Register I’ve ready names such as Mr. & Mrs. Roy Acuff, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Smith & of course including Pop & Mother Maybelle Carter along with June and her sister.
In the months that followed my grandmothers death my Great Grandmother Dottie Robertson sent a copy of the lyrics “Troublesome Waters”, in to Johnny Cash. It appeared on the “B-Side”, on his next album release. I was always told he recorded that song out of respect for my late Grandmother Esther (Robertson), Martin, and to honor my Great Grandmother & Grandfather Mr. L.P. “Shorty”, Mrs. Dottie (Henley) Robertson.
Just a side note: I was always told that June had confided in my grandmother Esther about Johnny’s desire to kindle a romance w/June. Also that June had asked my late grandmother if “she thought it would be proper, accepted & understood in the country music business”, and I’m sure that “girl talk”, as well as told to me “Esther? Should I go out with Johnny?”, to which my grandmother replied “YES”!
However, back to “Troublesome Waters”, my Great Grandmother sang that song all my life until her own death in 1991. The lyrics by Mr. Enloe sound the closest to what my Great Grandmother sang. I’m sure that both versions have been altered. Example: In the chorus grandma sang “BUT, gently I feel the touch of his hand, guiding my boat throught this weary land”.
Whatever version, whomever wrote it, it is a wonderful & powerful song that blesses all of us & praises our Lord, Jesus Christ & Saviour. I enjoyed reading all your posts. Thank you.
