The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October … Read Full Bio ↴The Osborne Brothers, comprising Sonny Osborne (October 29, 1937 – October 24, 2021) and Bobby Osborne (December 7, 1931 - June 27, 2023), was an influential and popular American bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s (and until Sonny Osborne retired in 2005). They are probably best known for their 1967 country hit song, "Rocky Top", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and named after a Tennessee location.

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.

I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Our little girl taken sick one evening
As she walked home from school
And in her death bed soon bring her
It made us so sad and so blue

Then she called me close to her bedside
And whispered these words soft and low,
"Tell Mommy to come to me quickly,

I want to kiss you both then go"

I hear a sweet voice calling
Way up in heaven on high
God has made room for you daughter,
Oh Mommy and Daddy don't cry

Take care of my little brother
Tell him I've gone to rest
I know his little heart is broken
He's all that you have left

Then she closed her eyes forever
Never to see us no more

Until we meet our darling
On that bright and peaceful shore

Overall Meaning

The Osborne Brothers's song "I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling" is a heartbreaking, emotional song about a family who tragically lost their daughter. The song describes how the little girl became sick one evening after walking home from school, leading to her untimely death. Before passing away, the daughter calls her father to her bedside and whispers her final words to him. She asks him to tell her mother to come to her quickly so she can kiss them both goodbye before passing away.

The lyrics of the song provide a poignant and emotional depiction of the family's sorrow as they grieve the loss of their precious daughter. The little girl's final words reveal a deep love for her family, and a desire to ensure they are okay after she is gone. The phrase "I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling" is a metaphor for the little girl's soul being called up to heaven, where God has made room for her.

Overall, "I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling" is a touching tribute to a beloved family member who was taken too soon. The song's heartfelt lyrics and melancholic melody make it a powerful reflection on the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones.

Line by Line Meaning

Our little girl taken sick one evening
Our young child became ill one evening

As she walked home from school
On her way home from school

And in her death bed soon bring her
We soon saw her resting on her deathbed

It made us so sad and so blue
We were deeply saddened and felt depressed

Then she called me close to her bedside
She requested my presence at her side

And whispered these words soft and low,
She spoke in a soft and low voice

"Tell Mommy to come to me quickly,
Please ask Mommy to come to me quickly

I want to kiss you both then go"
I want to give you both a kiss before I pass

I hear a sweet voice calling
I hear a gentle voice calling

Way up in heaven on high
From the heights of heaven above

God has made room for you daughter,
God has prepared a place for you, my daughter