1) The Browns were … Read Full Bio ↴There are three bands under the name The Browns.
1) The Browns were an American family singing group from Pine Bluff, Arkansas made up of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters, Maxine Brown and Bonnie Brown.
Country music singers, they sang individually at rural venues until 1954 when Maxine Brown, and younger brother Jim Ed, signed a record contract as a singing duo. Eighteen-year-old Bonnie joined the group in 1955, and the following year they were signed by Chet Atkins, RCA Victor Records producer in Nashville, Tennessee. The family trio recorded several songs that met with only modest success until 1959, when their 45 rpm folk single called "The Three Bells" was a no. 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 pop music and country music charts. Based on a song called "Les trois cloches," the song was originally a hit in France for both the group Les Compagnons de la chanson and Édith Piaf.
The Browns followed up the success of "The Three Bells" with "Scarlet Ribbons" and "The Old Lamplighter," recordings that also did very well on both the pop and country music charts. With an international following, The Browns toured Europe extensively and recorded further moderate successes on the country music charts. In 1963, they became part of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1965, Jim Ed Brown began working on a solo career, and in 1967 the trio formally disbanded. Jim Ed continued to record for RCA and had a number of country hits starting in 1965 while still with The Browns. In 1967, he released his first solo top 10 with "Pop A Top" which became his signature song. In 1970, he gained a crossover hit with "Morning" which went to number 4 on the country charts and number 47 on the pop charts. Other hits for Jim Ed included "Angel's Sunday"(1971), "Southern Loving"(1973), "Sometime Sunshine"(1974) and "It's That Time Of Night"(1974). In 1976, he released a string of major duet hits with Helen Cornelius starting with the #1 hit "I Don't Wanna Have To Marry You". Other hits for the duo included "Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye"(1977), "Born Believer"(1977), "I'll Never Be Free"(1978), "If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight"(1978), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"(1979), "Lying In Love With You"(1979), "Fools"(1979), "Morning Comes Too Early"(1980), and "Don't Bother To Knock"(1981).
Jim Ed has also hosted the syndicated country shows Jim Ed Brown's Country Place, and Nashville On The Road. On The Nashville Network he hosted the talent show You Can Be A Star, and the travel show Going Our Way which featured his wife, Becky, where they went traveling to different places in an RV.
Maxine Brown briefly had a solo career during the late 1960's releasing an album and single for Chart Records titled "Sugar Cane Country".
In 2006, the Browns reunited to perform "The Old Lamplighter" and "The Three Bells" for the PBS special, Country Pop Legends.
2) A horror-themed punk band. Formed in 1998, they played consistently for a year and a half around Western Canada, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, AFI, and Good Riddance. In the spring of 1998 the band self-released their first album "Getting Jiggy with The Browns". At this time, the line up was much different; Charlie - Guitar & Vocals, Emmett - Guitar, Leroy - Bass, Freddy - Drums and Lucy - Keyboards.
During the summer of 1998 Lucy and Emmet left the band, Freddy moved to Guitar and a new drummer named ODB began performing live shows, a new keyboard player was not sought out. Also around this time Charlie gave up his guitar duties and focused solely on lead vocals.
In 1999 Meter Records (Canada) released "Greatest Hits Volume One." Shortly after the release The Motherfucking Browns played what they said was their "final" show (summer of 1999) much to the dismay of both Meter Records and the Western Canadian music scene.
In 2000 Middle Man Records (USA) released a split 7" record with The Motherfucking Browns and John Q. Public. The Motherfucking Browns contributed a song from their 1999 album; "Lady, Stay Dead!" alongside a cover of "Bullet" a cover by the influential horror-rock band The Misfits.
2003 saw the release of Tony Hawk's Underground, video game for all major gaming platforms. Alongside bands like Kiss and Social Distortion, The Motherfucking Browns contributed a censored version of their song: "American Werewolf in Calgary". Tony Hawk's Underground went on to win several awards as a groundbreaking video game in 2003.
With the success of Tony Hawk's Underground a new website for the band was announced as well as a new myspace site. Both sites confirmed The Motherfucking Browns were performing with a new line-up: Charlie - Vocals, Eddie - Guitar, James - Bass, Joe - Drums.
2004 saw the release of "And Now the Screaming Starts!" on Meter Records (Canada). After much publicity, and several live shows in the Mid West USA, Horror High Records released their single "The Scream on Halloween" on their "Prom Queen Massacre" compilation, featuring other horror-rock bands such as Blitzkid and Calabrese.
After nearly three years of no activity Meter Records reported that The Motherfucking Browns have returned with the original line up that played on "Greatest Hits Volume One" (except ODB who had since passed away, and replaced by Chow Yun). In the fall of 2007 The Motherfucking Browns played a triumphant "comeback" show in their hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Performing alongside fellow horror rockers Forbidden Dimension. In an interview with Beatroute Magazine a new album for 2008 was announced.
The band is known for their abrasive stage shows, wearing Balaclava ski masks on stage, and songs primarily about horror movies. Charlie Brown is also a contributing writer for horror website www.killerfilm.com
"The best band in the fucking world, you fuckers!"
3) The Browns, a gospel-influenced band, exude excitement on the stage and offer a life-changing experience to all who hear them. The Browns deliver the powerful message of the gospel through word and song that engage audiences of all ages.
The Browns have been touring across the United States since the group began its full-time ministry nine years ago. The heralded group began on the local and state level and has expanded and grown into a national touring group.
This year The Browns received the prestigious honor of Top 10 Mixed Group of the Year for the second year in a row. The Browns will be attending the Singing News Magazine fan awards at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. “It started out with the Singing News magazine fans voting for the top ten,” Michaela said. “We had no idea we were up for this ward until we got an e-mail to tell us. We were up with some wonderful groups. This honor is very rewarding coming from the fans and knowing that we’ve touched their hearts or ministered to them in some way.” Previously The Browns had been awarded the Top Horizon Group of the Year for 3 consecutive years.
The group has finished their newest recording at the Sound Kitchen and Daywind Studios in Nashville, TN with Grammy award winning producer, Bubba Smith. ”A New Day” will be the Browns 10th national CD release. The newest single on the album has just climbed to #25 on the national radio charts. It is written by group member Jessica, and her fiance, Nick Trammell intitled “It’s A God Thing”.
Down In The Valley
The Browns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Late in the evening, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
Late in the evening, hear the wind blow.
Write me a letter, send it by mail
Send it in care of Birmingham jail
Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
Angels in heaven know I love you
Know I love you, dear, know I love you
Angels in heaven, know I love you...
The Browns's song "Down in the Valley" is a classic love ballad that describes the longing and loneliness of being separated from one's significant other. The opening lines "Down in the valley, valley so low / Late in the evening, hear the wind blow" set the tone for the song, with the valley symbolizing a place of isolation and the wind representing the voice of the singer's sorrow. The repeated phrase "hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow" emphasizes the singer's desperation for the love of their distant partner who is not there to hear the wind with them.
The second verse introduces the idea of sending a letter to the absent lover. The lyrics "Write me a letter, send it by mail / Send it in care of Birmingham jail / Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail / Send it in care of Birmingham jail" suggests that the singer's significant other may be imprisoned, adding a layer of difficulty to their relationship. However, the singer remains committed to reaching out to their partner, even if it means sending a letter to jail.
The third and final verse uses the metaphor of roses, violets, and angels to express the depth of the singer's love. The lyrics "Roses love sunshine, violets love dew / Angels in heaven know I love you / Know I love you, dear, know I love you / Angels in heaven, know I love you" are a poetic way of saying that everything in the world is drawn to what it needs, just as the singer is drawn to their lover. Even the angels in heaven are aware of the singer's love and the immensity of their devotion.
Overall, "Down in the Valley" is a tender and wistful love song that captures the painful longing of being separated from the one you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the valley, valley so low
The singer is referring to a location situated in the valley which is known for its low altitude.
Late in the evening, hear the wind blow
At the end of the day, the wind starts to blow, and the singer is making reference to that.
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow
The singer calling upon his/her love to listen to the sound of the wind blow.
Late in the evening, hear the wind blow.
The singer is emphasizing that even at the end of the day, the wind keeps on blowing.
Write me a letter, send it by mail
The singer requesting someone to write him/her a letter and send it through the mail.
Send it in care of Birmingham jail
The singer requests that the letter should be sent and addressed to someone who is incarcerated in Birmingham jail.
Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail
The singer emphasizes that the letter should be addressed to someone who is incarcerated in Birmingham jail.
Send it in care of Birmingham jail.
The singer emphasizes that the letter should be addressed and sent to someone who is incarcerated in Birmingham jail.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
The singer is making a reference to the things different flowers like and need in order to grow.
Angels in heaven know I love you
The singer is expressing his/her love for someone and asking the angels in heaven to bear witness to it.
Know I love you, dear, know I love you
The singer is emphatically stating that his/her love for someone is certain and true.
Angels in heaven, know I love you.
The singer reiterates that the angels in heaven should be aware that his/her love for someone is true and sincere.
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sue Metcalf
This is beyond a joke. I looked for one song hours ago. It is now three o clock in the morning and I am playing everything by the Browns. Absolutely wonderful, such total voice coordination. Maybe get to bed about 4?
Romans.1:18-32
Sue M..... Here it is 12 years (& tears.... ahhh, the memories these songs bring back of younger years, and close friends!) later... and I'm up at 4:05AM.... listening to this same song.... and many of the other Browns, songs. Hope you finally got some sleep that Morning... 12 years ago. ;-)
Rita Jones
Been there
Paul Escott
Absolutely brilliant, the notes so pure, will never grow tired of listening to the Browns.
Steve Roberts
One of the great country songs of all time. Both the Browns and Slim Whitman sing and play my favorite versions.
cruiser1947
Thank you for posting this beautiful song. I loved every song the Browns did. Their harmony was absolutely beautiful..
Ed Sauer
one of the greatest trios Ive ever had the pleasures of hearing!! unbeatable harmony, and beautiful people! great folks with talent and pure class
Angie Brockmann
One of my favorite songs to sing to as a little kid!
t cc
My mom used to sing this to me as a lullaby, it brings back such great memories.
tom hull
This has to be just about the greatest thing ever recorded,I could listen to this group all day.Wonderful.