The War interrupted any thoughts of a musical career, and it was not until both brothers returned from the service that they were able to make their own mark in music -- ultimately ending up on WCYB Bristol, Tennessee, where they would remain for over ten years as stalwarts of the famed "Farm and Fun Time" radio show. Their music initially followed a more old time style favored by Mainer's Mountaineers, with Ralph playing the banjo in the old two-finger style, interspersed with old time clawhammer playing, before taking a stab at the new three-finger style popularised by Earl Scruggs.
They formed The Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946. They were perhaps the first band to adopt the new music style created by Bill Monroe in the mid-1940s that later became known as bluegrass. Carter played guitar and sang lead while Ralph played banjo and sang with a strong, high tenor voice. Their harmonies are much admired, and many consider Carter Stanley to be one of the greatest singers in the history of country music. The brothers also wrote many of their own songs and Carter had a particular knack for writing deceptively simple lyrics that portrayed strong emotion. The Stanley's style can best be described as a traditional "mountain soul" sound that remained close to the Primitive Baptist vocal stylings they learned from their parents and others near their southwestern Virginia home.
The early Stanley Brothers recordings on Rich-R-Tone (of Johnson City, Tennessee) included Pee Wee Lambert on mandolin. They later added an innovative touch to their traditional sound with the guitar solos of George Shuffler who often used a crosspicking style.
Carter performed briefly with Bill Monroe while Ralph was recovering from injuries received in an automobile accident in 1951. As bluegrass music grew less popular in the late 1950s, the Stanley Brothers moved to Live Oak, Florida to headline the weekly Suwannee River Jamboree radio show on WNER. The three-hour show was also syndicated across the Southeast. Otherwise the brothers performed together until 1966 (from 1961 on as a duo). After Carter's death Ralph revived the Clinch Mountain Boys and is still performing in 2006. Among the musicians who have played in the revived Clinch Mountain Boys are Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks, Curly Ray Cline, Jack Cooke, and Ralph Stanley II. Ralph's career received a big boost with his prominent role on the phenomenally successful soundtrack recording of the 2000 film, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?." The Stanley Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992.
Among the Stanley Brothers' best known recordings are:
* I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow (1950, Columbia)
* Rank Stranger
* Angel Band
* How Mountain Girls Can Love
* How Far to Little Rock? (novelty)
* Still trying to get to Little Rock (novelty)
* Ridin' That Midnite Train
* Clinch Mountain Backstep
* She's More To Be Pitied
* The Memory of Your Smile
* Love Me Darlin' Just Tonight
Clinch Mountain Boys Members
* Carter Stanley (guitar)
* Ralph Stanley (banjo)
* Darrell "Pee Wee" Lambert (mandolin)
* Jim Williams (mandolin)
* Curly Lambert (mandolin)
* Leslie Keith (fiddle)
* Robert "Bobby" Sumner (fiddle)
* Les Woodie (fiddle)
* Ralph Mayo (fiddle, guitar)
* Chubby Anthony (fiddle)
* Art Stamper (fiddle)
* Joe Meadows (fiddle)
* Red Stanley (fiddle)
* Don Miller (fiddle)
* Vernon Derrick (fiddle)
* James "Jay" Hughes (bass)
* Ernie Newton (bass)
* Chick Stripling (bass)
* Mike Seeger (bass)
* Bill Napier (guitar, mandolin)
* George Shuffler (guitar, bass)
* Larry Sparks (guitar)
External links
* Ralph Stanley Discography
* Recording of "We Are Going to Paint the Town" from a 1958 Florida radio show (made available for public use by the State Archives of Florida)
* Podcast (mp3) of one of the Stanley Brothers' Suwannee River Jamboree raido show from 1958 (made available for public use by the State Archives of Florida)
Calling From Heaven
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No thoughts of God, no time to pray
Though He gave His life, that you and me
And this old sinful world be free
Oh, the voice I heard from heaven's throne
Was Jesus calling for His own, His chosen one
It sounds so sweet, the Lord was saying
We've strayed so far, from the word of God
This sinful path, too long we've trod
Let's journey home and join the band
And live with Him in glory land
Oh, the voice I heard from heaven's throne
Was Jesus calling for His own, His chosen one
It sounds so sweet, the Lord was saying
"Are you lost in sin forever more?"
Some people say they don't believe
But if you ask, you shall receive
He leads you home to heaven's door
Where pain and sorrow is no more
Oh, the voice I heard from heaven's throne
Was Jesus calling for His own, His chosen one
It sounds so sweet, the Lord was saying
"Are you lost in sin forever more?"
The Stanley Brothers' song "Calling From Heaven" is a reflective piece that speaks to the importance of turning to God in times of difficulty. The lyrics are a reminder that although we may be busy with the activities of everyday life, we should not forget our faith, and the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. The singer initially mentions the lack of attention given to their relationship with God, noting that prayer seems less of a priority than work. However, they pause to reflect upon the fact that Christ shed his blood so that we could be free from sin. They are then interrupted by a heavenly voice, identified as the Lord's, which calls for them to join the chosen ones in heaven.
The first two verses of the song set the stage for the main message: that we must return to God and follow the path laid out for us. The use of "sounded so sweet" to describe the voice of the Lord is a reminder of the comfort and peace that comes from accepting Him. The third verse challenges the notion of disbelief and provides a sense of assurance that those who seek to follow God will find the path to heaven.
Overall, "Calling From Heaven" is a beautifully written reminder of the importance of leaning on God in times of hardship, and the prospect of eternal life waiting for those who believe in Him.
Line by Line Meaning
As you go along from day to day
As you navigate your way through life, from one day to the next
No thoughts of God, no time to pray
Without giving much thought to God or taking the time to pray
Though He gave His life, that you and me
Despite the fact that He sacrificed His life for us
And this old sinful world be free
So that the world, full of sin and wrongdoing, could be free
Oh, the voice I heard from heaven's throne
Oh, the message that I heard from the highest point in heaven
Was Jesus calling for His own, His chosen one
Was Jesus summoning those who belong to Him, the ones He chose
It sounds so sweet, the Lord was saying
It was incredibly pleasing to the ear, the Lord's message
"Are you lost in sin forever more?"
"Do you feel trapped and unable to escape the cycle of sin forever?"
We've strayed so far, from the word of God
We have wandered away from God's teachings and principles, so far off course
This sinful path, too long we've trod
We have been walking down this path of sin and wrong choices for too long
Let's journey home and join the band
Let's make the trip back home and become part of the community of believers
And live with Him in glory land
And spend eternity living with God in heaven
Some people say they don't believe
There are those who claim they don't believe in God
But if you ask, you shall receive
However, if you ask, you will receive His guidance and love
He leads you home to heaven's door
God will guide you back to the entrance of heaven
Where pain and sorrow is no more
And there will be no more pain, sadness, or grief.
Oh, the voice I heard from heaven's throne
Oh, the message that I heard from the highest point in heaven
Was Jesus calling for His own, His chosen one
Was Jesus summoning those who belong to Him, the ones He chose
It sounds so sweet, the Lord was saying
It was incredibly pleasing to the ear, the Lord's message
"Are you lost in sin forever more?"
"Do you feel trapped and unable to escape the cycle of sin forever?"
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind