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.
Ruby Are You Mad
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sittin' in the shade
With a shovel and a spade
I'm diggin' in the ground's cold mine
Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
I've done all I can do
Still you're not satisfied
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
If you don't believe I'm right
Just call on me tonight
I'll take you to your shady so cold
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
The Osborne Brothers's song "Ruby Are You Mad" is a country ballad that conveys the singer's frustration with his partner's discontentment. The recurring refrain, "Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?" sets a tone of weariness and desperation. Throughout the verses, the singer describes himself as laboring in a mine, digging with a shovel and a spade, while also trying to please his partner. Despite his efforts, he cannot seem to satisfy her, and her mood remains sour.
The lyrics suggest a strained relationship in which the singer feels he has done all he can do to mend the relationship. The final verse offers a plea for communication and resolution, as the singer offers to take Ruby to a "shady so cold." The lyrics do not offer any clear indication of whether or not the relationship will improve, but the repeated question suggests that the singer seeks some kind of understanding or forgiveness from his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
Asking his lover if she's upset with him
I'm sittin' in the shade
With a shovel and a spade
I'm diggin' in the ground's cold mine
He's working hard, digging in the cold mine
I've done all I can do
Tryin' to get along with you
Still you're not satisfied
He's tried everything to get along with his lover, but she's still not happy
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
Reiterating his question about his lover's upset feelings
If you don't believe I'm right
Just call on me tonight
I'll take you to your shady so cold
He offers a solution to his lover's doubts about his intentions and promises to take her to a cool, shady place if she needs it
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
Asking again if his lover is upset with him
Writer(s): Cousin Emmy
Contributed by Carter A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ffsf739
Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
I'm sittin' in the shade
With a shovel and a spade
I'm diggin' in the ground's cold mine
Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
I've done all I can do
Tryin' to get along with you
Still you're not satisfied
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
If you don't believe I'm right
Just call on me tonight
I'll take you to your shady so cold
Oh Ruby, Ruby honey, are you mad at your man?
@pld427
I'm here because of "The Philosophy Of Modern Song" this song rattles my bones
@TheStrangeAeon
Try the live version.
@GD-rd6ig
גם אני
@TJamesBell
Me, too. This is a freight train.
@virgillowe2666
My mama’s name is Ruby. Before she died, I’d always call her on her birthday singing this song. No way I could hold the note, but I tried.
@resurrectiontree
Mine too! My brother used to come in to the kitchen with his guitar, put one foot on a chair and sing this to her ❤
@lynne6417
The western Pennsylvania Scot in me is all wound up and ready
@FredPickett
Some of the best Music ever made was Bluegrass.
@islandrose8733
Most important test of the year
My mind: rrrrruuuuuuBBBBBBYYYYYY
@WhittyN
What