The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Man With the Banjo The
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's that strummin'
That's the man with the banjo
For a penny he'll play any song
That's happy and gay
Folks all smile and stop awhile
Because the man with the banjo
See the children running after
While he plays his merry song
All their hearts are filled with laughter
As they tag along
Shadows fallin', sandman's callin'
Here goes the man with the banjo
Gaily strummin' softly strummin'
On his merry old way
The song "Man With the Banjo" by the Ames Brothers tells the story of a street musician who plays his banjo for anyone willing to pay a penny. The lyrics describe the joy and happiness that the man brings to people's lives with his music. The streets come to life as he plays, and people smile and stop to listen. The man's music is so infectious that it makes people forget their worries and problems, and all they want to do is sing and dance to his tunes. The children love him, and they run after him while he plays, their hearts filled with joy and laughter.
The song is not just about the man with the banjo, but it is also a commentary on the power of music to uplift and inspire people. The song talks about how music has the ability to chase away the shadows of our lives, and how it can make our hearts light and free. It speaks to the universal nature of music, which knows no boundaries of race, nationality or culture. The man with the banjo is a symbol of the transformative power of music, and the song is a tribute to all the street musicians who bring smiles to people's faces and joy to their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that comin'
Who is approaching?
Who's that strummin'
Who is playing a musical instrument by running fingers over strings?
That's the man with the banjo
The individual holding and playing the musical instrument known as the banjo.
For a penny he'll play any song
For one cent, he will perform any melody on his banjo.
That's happy and gay
That is played in a cheerful and lighthearted manner.
Folks all smile and stop awhile
The individuals in the vicinity pause and smile.
Because the man with the banjo
Due to the presence of the musician playing the banjo.
Makes their troubles burst like bubbles chasing worries away
It alleviates their problems and concerns, causing them to dissipate like bubbles floating away.
See the children running after
Observe the youngsters pursuing the banjo player.
While he plays his merry song
As he performs his jovial tune.
All their hearts are filled with laughter
The sound of the banjo causes the children's hearts to be filled with mirth.
As they tag along
They accompany the musician wherever they travel.
Shadows fallin', sandman's callin'
The evening is approaching, the sun is setting, and the night's terrors are beginning to arise.
Here goes the man with the banjo
The performer with the banjo is leaving.
Gaily strummin' softly strummin'
Playing the instrument joyfully and with a gentle pluck.
On his merry old way
He moves forward in a cheerful, lighthearted fashion, along his chosen path.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nicholasroby8936
I loved this song when I was 6 in 1955, and still love at age of 72! In 2021 I can again listen over and over again.
@susanrowe9063
Wonderful memories! Aged 7 in 1955, I sang this song solo in a local concert and have only just got around to finding it here - thank you!
@njva17420
The Ames Brothers were among my Dad's favorite pop singers back in the 50s. It is wonderful to hear this again and "You, You, You."
@SEPTEMBERANCH
Such wonderful memories.
@Cynthia-ht8ld
Now, the Ames Brothers are together for all eternity. Rest in peace, Ed. July 9,1927-May 21,2023.
@patrickfleming3658
Such great memories
@johnrussell8749
Beautiful harmony, back up and banjo pickin'.
@originalsbyterry256
SMOOTH is not enough to describe this!
@the45shootist
I like it so much that I BECAME the man with the banjo!
@browndog461
When times were much more carefree and innocent, the real 50's.