The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the 1940s as they began their career in gospel music. Their first foray into secular music was the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz", recorded with Chet Atkins. Other hits included "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and stayed there until breaking up in 1963.
Their songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin. Ira Louvin was notorious for his drinking, womanizing, and short temper. He was married four times; his third wife Faye shot him four times in the chest and twice in the hand after he allegedly beat her. Although seriously injured, he survived. When performing and drinking, Ira would sometimes become angry enough on stage to smash his mandolin; otherwise his style was heavily influenced by Bill Monroe.
As of 1963, Charlie was making enough money that he was able to start a solo career, and Ira also went on his own.
Ira died on June 20, 1965, at the age of 41. He and his fourth wife, Anne Young, were on the way home from a performance in Kansas City when they came to a section of construction on Highway 70 outside of Williamsburg, Missouri where traffic had been reduced down to one lane. A drunken driver struck their car head-on, and both Ira and Anne were killed instantaneously.[4] At the time, a warrant for Ira's arrest had been issued on a DUI charge.
Country-rock band The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their 1968 release Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, produced by Carl Jackson and Kathy Louvin and released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
Although the brothers are still remembered today for their musical talent, they are also remembered for the unusual cover used for their 1959 album, Satan Is Real. Designed by Ira Louvin, the cover features the brothers standing in a rock quarry in front of a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) plywood rendition of the Devil as several hidden tires soaked in kerosene burn behind them as fire and brimstone. While some reviewers count this as being one of the "greatest iconic album covers of all time", the cover can also be found today on several Web sites celebrating unusual or bizarre album covers. The cover has also become an Internet meme on a number of Web sites such as Fark.com, where it has been posted in discussion threads as an example of religious views of the era.
The opening bars of the album's title track "Satan is Real" can be heard at the beginning of Hank Williams III's "Medley: Straight to Hell / Satan is Real", on his Straight to Hell album of 2006. It is also excerpted in Will Ferrell's 2009 one-man Broadway show, You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W Bush.
I'm Ready to Go Home
The Louvin Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've worked for Jesus all along the way
But now I see the sun for me is setting
I have reached the ending of my way
Lord, I've been faithful in the service You have given
And the harvest of the fields, Lord, I have done
But now my steps are growing weary
Looking back upon the life I've lived for Jesus
I can see how He has helped me all the way
And the tears I've shed just helped to keep me humble
And each burden only taught me how to pray
Lord, I've been faithful in the service You have given
And the harvest of the fields, Lord, I have done
But now my steps are growing weary
Lord, I'm waiting, I'm ready to go home
Though I hate to leave so many friends behind me
And the parting of our ways will touch my heart
But I'll wait for them inside the gates of heaven
Where the children of God will never part
Lord, I've been faithful in the service You have given
And the harvest of the fields, Lord, I have done
But now my steps are growing weary
Lord, I'm waiting, I'm ready to go home
The Louvin Brothers' song, "I'm Ready to Go Home," is a poignant reflection on the end of life and the hope of eternal rest in heaven. The lyrics reflect a lifetime of faithful service to Jesus Christ and the weariness that comes with the end of a long journey. The singer looks back on a life filled with hard work, tears, and burdens, but also with the constant presence of God. He has been faithful in the service that he was given and has done the work that the Lord called him to do. Now, as the sun sets on his life, he waits with eagerness for the call to go home to be with his Lord.
The song expresses a bittersweet sentiment, as the singer acknowledges the sadness of leaving friends behind but also the joy of knowing that they will be reunited in heaven. It is a reminder that this world is not our ultimate home, and that we must press on to the end, always keeping our eyes fixed on the prize of eternal life. The simple melody and instrumentation give the song a powerful emotional resonance that touches the heart and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the valleys of this life I have wandered
I have experienced the highs and lows of life on this Earth
And I've worked for Jesus all along the way
I have dedicated my life to serving Jesus
But now I see the sun for me is setting
I am nearing the end of my life here on Earth
I have reached the ending of my way
My journey on Earth is coming to an end
Lord, I've been faithful in the service You have given
I have been dedicated to doing God's work
And the harvest of the fields, Lord, I have done
I have done the work God intended for me in this life
But now my steps are growing weary
I am tired and ready to rest
Lord, I'm waiting, I'm ready to go home
I am ready to leave this life and join God in Heaven
Looking back upon the life I've lived for Jesus
Reflecting on the life lived in service of Jesus
I can see how He has helped me all the way
Acknowledging that Jesus has been with me through it all
And the tears I've shed just helped to keep me humble
The struggles I have faced have kept me grounded and humble
And each burden only taught me how to pray
Each challenge I faced taught me the power of prayer
Though I hate to leave so many friends behind me
Leaving loved ones behind is difficult
And the parting of our ways will touch my heart
Saying goodbye will be emotional
But I'll wait for them inside the gates of heaven
Looking forward to reuniting with loved ones in Heaven
Where the children of God will never part
Where we will be together forever in the presence of God
Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
edward conner
it sounds like this song was written just for me , I love it so much.
Tammy Carlisle
Finest harmony I've ever heard. It's right up there with the Stanley Brothers & the Osborne Brothers. And, there's nothing finer than Jimmy Capps' guitar playing. RIP everyone I've mentioned. They don't make 'em like this anymore. They're my heroes.
Sara Pack
I love this song
cookiemama4
Another great one, John!
Barbara Sizemore
I love that song
Just Me
💙💚💛💜😃
Bonnie Munoz
Love the song I think esters dad wrote this song love the song
Bonnie Munoz
Love those guys f b took all their music off glad this one popped up
Loretta Fitzgerald
I'm ready to go to see my pops and Rick
cookiemama4
Loretta Fitzgerald
I'm ready to see many. ..but mostly my son and my baby daughter. .
"Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away. ..to a home on God's celestial shore...I'll fly away. .."