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.
Lost Highway
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For a life of sin I have paid the cost
When I pass by all the people say
Just another guy on the lost highway
Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
And a woman's lies makes a life like mine
O the day we met, I went astray
I was just a lad, nearly twenty two
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you
And now I'm lost, too late to pray
Lord I take a cost, o the lost highway
Now boys don't start to ramblin' round
On this road of sin are you sorrow bound
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
You started rollin down that lost highway
The Osborne Brothers's song Lost Highway is an expression of regret, a confession from a man who made a number of wrong choices, got caught up in a life of sin and is now living as a rolling stone. In the opening lines of the song, we see a man who is lonely, lost and without direction, as he sings "I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost, for a life of sin I have paid the cost." The cost of his sinful life can be seen in his alcoholism, which is represented through the line "Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine."
The man's belief that his life was on an inevitable path of destruction is evident when he says "When I pass by all the people say, just another guy on the lost highway." He believes that people are looking at him and seeing someone who is a hopeless case, a man who is doomed to the same fate that he has suffered.
Through the song, the singer provides a warning to young men, telling them not to follow in his footsteps. The line "Now boys don't start to ramblin' round, on this road of sin are you sorrow bound" speaks to the idea that this kind of life leads to nothing but pain and heartache. The song shows the consequences of a life of sin and tries to dissuade others from choosing this path.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost
I am wandering aimlessly and have no direction in life.
For a life of sin I have paid the cost
I have faced the consequences of my immoral and unethical actions.
When I pass by all the people say
People think of me as just another person which shows how insignificant my existence is to them.
Just another guy on the lost highway
I am just someone else, on a path of confusion and despair just like many before me.
Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
All I have is my vices to keep me company.
And a woman's lies makes a life like mine
Deceiving words from a lover led me down this path of self-destruction.
O the day we met, I went astray
Everything went wrong the day I met that woman who led to all of this.
I started rolling down that lost highway
I began a journey on a path with no direction or destination.
I was just a lad, nearly twenty two
At that age, I thought I knew enough of the world, ignorant to how the world really worked.
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you
I was just like any other young person with dreams, ambition, and a sense of invincibility.
And now I'm lost, too late to pray
I am completely lost, with no hope for redemption.
Lord I take a cost, o the lost highway
I am suffering the consequences of my actions on this path of confusion and destruction.
Now boys don't start to ramblin' round
Boys, don't follow in my footsteps and wander pointlessly.
On this road of sin are you sorrow bound
This path leads to nothing but pain and sorrow.
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
Take heed of my warning, or you'll regret your decision to follow this path.
You started rollin down that lost highway
You began your journey on that destructive path you chose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leon Payne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DD Chapin
I heard this version on The Dick Spottswood show yesterday (Sun. 1/18/15) on Bluegrass Country 105.5 and had to hear it again... Dang that Hank sho was a tunesmith/wordsmith - just LOVE the lyrics...! Thanks, Hank, Osbornes, Red, and Dick!
DealReal12
Dick Spottswood plays the BEST music! I'm so grateful to have YouTube to replay many of the fine songs DS turned me on to. What a great rendition of the Hank Classic this is!
James Stiltner
Hank had the definitive version, but Leon Payne wrote the song.
C. C.
I can't act like Allen and sniff "Eric can't act like Ross and sniff" "I don't know",alright it's all clear "no girls go to Hell it's like Kool-Aid "no Death to Death we touch in sex major c.b.i. tips",Pazuzu. "caught the pearl"
jerryleonard999
Who is playing dobro????
Ariel Aguilar
May be Gene Wooten?