The first known public appearance of the Osborne Brothers was in 1951. They joined the cast at WCYB Bristol, Virginia, to perform on a program called "Farm and Fun Time", along with other Bluegrass bands, such as, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Carl Story and his Rambling Mountainers. Other members of "Farm and Fun Time" included, Jim & Jesse, Little Robert Van Winkle, Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, and country recording artist Red Kirk. The live program aired five days a week, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on WCYB Radio, and covered five states.
Upon their breakout into the bluegrass scene, the Osborne Brothers quickly became noted for their virtuosic instrumentation and tight, melodic vocal harmonies. Their first country chart appearance was "Once More", a 1958 trio with Red Allen, with a then-novel inverted stacked harmony: Bobby singing the lead line highest, then Sonny singing baritone, and finally the third singer (in this case Red Allen) singing the tenor as the lowest part. This placed Bobby's distinctive voice as the lead, and made the third voice a somewhat interchangeable part. As a result, the brothers could hire a series of guitarist/singers without changing their overall sound. This "high lead" vocal trio became their signature sound, used to great effect in the country market, with songs like "Blame Me", "Sweethearts Again", and a remake of the Carter Family's "Fair and Tender Ladies".
During their breakout period of the mid 1950s, Sonny's banjo and Bobby's mandolin styles became distinctive and easily-identifiable with their overall sound. The band was inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry on August 8, 1964.
The Osborne Brothers have the distinction of having recorded two songs that would go on to be officially voted as "state songs." The first, "Rocky Top," was named a Tennessee state song in 1982. The other, "Kentucky," was named a state song for the brothers' home state of Kentucky.
In 1994, The Osborne Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. The induction is considered bluegrass music's highest honor.
Georgia Piney Woods
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder if they miss me
Lonesome for those Pineywoods
Ancient home of the Creek and the Cherokee and me
I was born in the Georgia Pineywoods
Fifteen miles to the grocery store
No T.V., no gold plated shiney goods
We had cows in the back fields grazin'
Chickens cacklin' out in the pen
Life was good but it's amazin'
How I didn't see that back then.
* Refrain
When I looked for Indian arrowheads
I was happy as Borden's cow
I've lost all my Indian arrowheads
They ain't no good to me here no how.
I get paid now by the hour
And lead my typical suburb life
Got credit cards and buyin' power
And I owe more money than Caesar's wife
* Refrain
The Osborne Brothers' song "Georgia Piney Woods" is a wistful reflection on the singer's childhood home and the natural beauty of the Georgia Pineywoods. The lyrics express a yearning for the simplicity and purity of life in the woods and a sense of displacement from that home. The singer muses on the absence of TVs and material goods and the crackling linoleum on the floors, painting a picture of a humble existence. The mention of the Creek and the Cherokee, indigenous tribes that once lived in the area, underscores the history and heritage of the place. The singer also laments the loss of his Indian arrowheads, which reminded him of his carefree days in the woods.
The song captures a common theme in country music: the longing for a simpler, more authentic way of life that is often associated with rural America. The nostalgia for a bygone era and the recognition of the transformation of the singer's life into one that is more consumerist and commercial in nature is also a recurring motif in the genre. The Osborne Brothers gave a poignant voice to these themes in "Georgia Piney Woods," inspiring reflection on the meaning of home, history, and personal identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss those Georgia Pineywoods
I feel nostalgic about the Georgia Pineywoods
Wonder if they miss me
I'm curious if the Georgia Pineywoods miss me too
Lonesome for those Pineywoods
I feel lonely without the Georgia Pineywoods
Ancient home of the Creek and the Cherokee and me
The Georgia Pineywoods is the ancient home of Creek, Cherokee, and myself
I was born in the Georgia Pineywoods
I was born and raised in the Georgia Pineywoods
Fifteen miles to the grocery store
The nearest grocery store is fifteen miles away
No T.V., no gold plated shiney goods
We didn't have any television or extravagant possessions
Cracked linoleum on the floor
Our house had cracked linoleum flooring
We had cows in the back fields grazin'
We had cows grazing in the fields behind our house
Chickens cacklin' out in the pen
We had chickens clucking in their pen
Life was good but it's amazin'
My life was good, but it's amazing to look back and see that now
How I didn't see that back then.
I didn't realize how good I had it back then
* Refrain
The refrain isn't a line itself, but rather a repeating chorus throughout the song
When I looked for Indian arrowheads
I used to look for Indian arrowheads as a pastime
I was happy as Borden's cow
Finding Indian arrowheads made me really happy
I've lost all my Indian arrowheads
I no longer have the Indian arrowheads I used to collect
They ain't no good to me here no how.
My Indian arrowheads don't have much value to me anymore
I get paid now by the hour
I currently make money by working for an hourly wage
And lead my typical suburb life
I live a typical life in the suburbs
Got credit cards and buyin' power
I have credit cards and the ability to buy things
And I owe more money than Caesar's wife
I owe more money than I'm comfortable with
* Refrain
The refrain repeats again to conclude the song
Writer(s): Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
onlydaughterofRMS
Never thought I'd hear this again! Been looking for this song for YEARS. This takes me back to a better place and time (what music doesn't?) and I thank you for posting it...Thank you so much ♥
Vladislov Kyzinski
Music was s00000 much better than! "I own more money than Caesar's wife.
Bryan Edwards
The instrument playing is fantastic , but the lyrics are also !!! Adds up to a beautiful song !!! ♥️♥️
Shirley Stann
This was never one of my favorites until I heard it with strings. Beautiful!!
David Chaplin
I think I am in love, with music that is!!!!! Gotta love it.
KevinBorgOfDeath
It's better live. I bloody love bluegrass!
Jayson Eubanks
Damn that banjo is awesome!!
Robert Franklin
Rest in Peace, Bobby! I know you’re reunited with Sonny and picking in Heaven!
Thomas Dillon
I have memories of Georgia like this.
Jack K
Sonny & Bob. At there best