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.
Sunny Side Of The Mountain
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a little thought before I'm going far away
I'll be waiting on the hillside where the wild red roses grow
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters flow
Don't forget about those days we courted many years ago
Don't forget those promises you gave me and so
It's been so long dear since I've seen you but my love still lingers on
Tell me darling in your letter do you ever think of me
I wonder little darling, where you can be
I'll be waiting on the hillside on the day when you will call
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters fall
The Osborne Brothers's song Sunny Side of the Mountain is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, lost love, and the natural beauty of the world. The lyrics speak to the singer's longing for his lost love not to forget him as he grows old and gray, and as he prepares to leave for the hillsides where the wild red roses grow. The refrain of the song emphasizes the natural beauty of this place on the sunny side of the mountain, where the rippling waters flow.
Throughout the song, the singer reminisces about the days when he and his love courted many years ago, and the promises that were made but have since faded away. Despite the time that has passed and the distance between them, the singer's love still lingers on, and he wonders if his love is reciprocated in any way. He imagines his love writing to him, and he hopes that one day she will call him back to the sunny side of the mountain, where they can be together once again.
The song speaks to the universal experience of love and the complexities that come with it. It is a reminder of the power of memories and the longing to hold onto them, even as time moves on.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't forget me little darling while I'm growing old and gray
Please remember me, my love, as I age and my hair turns gray.
Just a little thought before I'm going far away
Before I depart, I want to leave you with a small message.
I'll be waiting on the hillside where the wild red roses grow
I'll wait for you by a hill covered in beautiful wild red roses.
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters flow
This place where I'll wait for you is on the sunny side of a mountain where the waters flow gently.
Don't forget about those days we courted many years ago
Please don't forget our courtship from many years ago.
Don't forget those promises you gave me and so
Also, remember the promises you made to me during that time.
It's been so long dear since I've seen you but my love still lingers on
Even though it's been a long time since we last saw each other, my love for you remains.
Don't forget me little darling though our love affair seems gone
Please don't forget me, even though it may seem like our love affair is over.
Tell me darling in your letter do you ever think of me
Can you please tell me in your letter if you ever think of me?
I wonder little darling, where you can be
I find myself wondering where you are, my dear.
I'll be waiting on the hillside on the day when you will call
I'll wait for you on the hillside until the day you call for me.
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters fall
And remember, that place where I'll wait for you is on the sunny side of a mountain where the waters fall gracefully.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM YORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billterrell9737
Best version of this song I have ever heard!!!!
@thesilverphist6483
have alook again now 2018 :-)
@tulipdawn3211
I love it
@tima1929
Don't forget me little darling while I'm growing old and gray
Just a little thought before I'm going far away
I'll be waiting on the hillside where the wild red roses grow
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters flow
Don't forget about those days we courted many years ago
Don't forget those promises you gave me and so
It's been so long dear since I've seen you but my love still lingers on
Don't forget me little darling though our love affair seems gone
Tell me darling in your letter do you ever think of me
I wonder little darling, where you can be
I'll be waiting on the hillside on the day when you will call
On the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters fall
@bhunter11
I like the Osborne Brothers a lot and I like how Bobby sings it here. But, Jimmy Martin IMO has the best version!
@brianmccloud2584
Love this song to