Info: Dark and stormy weather (Carter Family)

Subject: Dark and stormy weather
From: GUEST,Tonyg
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 02:39 PM

In the Carter Family song, "Dark and Stormy Weather", the refrain contains the line "The clouds hang over center". What does that mean? Some sources capitalize center, and say it's a place in Virginia, but I can't locate it. Any ideas? Thanks......

Subject: RE: Dark and stormy weather
From: GUEST,#
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 03:48 PM

The following is from

http://richardmattesonsblog.blogspot.ca/2008_11_01_archive.html

DARK AND STORMY WEATHER

CHORUS: Dark and stormy weather
It still inclines to rain
The clouds hang over center*
My love's gone away on a train

We met, loved, and parted
I thought the world of you
You left me brokenhearted
To me you proved untrue CHORUS: [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

I'm leaving old Virginia
There's nothing here for me
I know you love another
In my grave I'd rather be CHORUS: [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You told me that you loved me
I believed just what you said
But now you love another
I wish that I were dead CHORUS:

*sinners (unclear what this is)

Subject: RE: Info: Dark and stormy weather (Carter Family)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:15 PM

I'm not sure how the system works exactly, but take a look at this list of New Hampshire towns:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_New_Hampshire

The word 'Center' occurs in a town name 40 times. On the map, we see Strafford, Center Strafford and Center Barnstead outside of Rochester. I think it's likely that local people simply called the nearest town with a name like that 'Center.'

Further north, we find Grafton, East Grafton and Grafton Center. For some reason, these towns must have been linked in people's minds.   

This isn't just a New England phenomenon. Wisconsin has Richland Center and Alma Center.