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.
Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let′s say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way
There's something wrong your love is gone I′ve no reason now to stay
We live and love we meet and part and broken hearts must pay
Let's say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way.
Your love sweetheart I won't forget you′re always on my mind
For old time sake I'm asking you to think of me some day
Let′s say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way.
--- Instrumental ---
I wish you happiness sweetheart in everything you do
May good luck always come your way and every dream come true
I remember you and the love we knew the love of yesterday
So let's say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way.
If I should meet some other dear and learn to love them too
I′ll hope and pray somehow sweetheart they'll make me think of you
A tender smile an old love song a heart so young and gay
Let′s say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way...
The Osborne Brothers's rendition of Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello in a Friendly Kind of Way is a bittersweet song about the end of a love affair. The lyrics express a sense of resignation and acceptance that the relationship has come to an end, with the singer wanting to leave on good terms. The line "there's something wrong, your love is gone" indicates that the singer has noticed a change in the person he is singing to, and that the love they once shared is no longer present. Despite this, the singer still has affection for the other person, and hopes that they will remember him in the future.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of nostalgia for the past, with references to "old time sake" and "the love of yesterday." The singer acknowledges that their time together was special, but that it is time to move on. The instrumental section of the song provides a moment of reflection, allowing the listener to take in the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Overall, Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello in a Friendly Kind of Way is a poignant song about the end of a relationship, with the singers expressing a desire to leave on good terms and remember the happy times they shared.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way
Let's part ways amicably, just like we initially met
There's something wrong your love is gone I've no reason now to stay
I feel something is not right, your love is lost, and I have no reason to remain
We live and love we meet and part and broken hearts must pay
Life involves loving and losing, and a broken heart is the price we pay
Your love sweetheart I won't forget you're always on my mind
I will never forget the love we shared, my darling, and you will always occupy my thoughts
You're all the happiness I knew so thoughtful sweet and kind
You were the source of all my joy, so caring, loving, and compassionate.
For old time sake I'm asking you to think of me some day
As a nod to the past, I'm requesting that you reflect on me sometime in the future
I wish you happiness sweetheart in everything you do
I pray that you find joy in everything you do, my dear
May good luck always come your way and every dream come true
May fortune always smile upon you, and all your aspirations come to fruition
So let's say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way
So, let us part ways just as we met, with our hearts full of kindness towards each other
If I should meet some other dear and learn to love them too
If by chance, I happen to find another person to love and cherish
I'll hope and pray somehow sweetheart they'll make me think of you
I'll pray that my new love reminds me of you in some way, my dearest
A tender smile an old love song a heart so young and gay
Be it a soft smile or an old love song, or an enthusiastic and lively heart, let the memories of us linger
Let's say goodbye like we said hello in a friendly kind of way
Once again, let us part ways amicably, the same way we initially met.
Writer(s): J. Skinner, E. Tubb
Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnnyjackson3923
Ernest Tubb did this one in 1949! It went to # 5 on the C&W charts