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)
How Mountain Girls Can Love
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back to the girl you love
Treat her right, never wrong
How mountain girls can love
Riding the night in the high cold winds
On the trail of the old lonesome pine
Thinking of you, feeling so blue
Remember the night we strolled down the lane
Our hearts were gay and happy then
You whispered to me as I held your close
You hoped this night would never end
The Stanley Brothers' How Mountain Girls Can Love is a song that highlights the simplicity and authenticity of love in the mountains. The lyrics speak to the idea that mountain women have a special kind of love that is grounded in loyalty, treating your partner right, and never doing them wrong. This is emphasized in the opening lines of the song, where the male protagonist urges his friends to leave the honky-tonk and head back home where their loved ones are waiting. The song also conveys the yearning and heartbreak that comes with long-distance relationships. The singer is riding through the night, thinking of his lover and feeling sad, wishing she had not left him behind. The song then briefly reminisces on a happy night that they shared before they parted ways.
Overall, the lyrics to How Mountain Girls Can Love revolve around themes of loyalty, heartbreak, and love. The song speaks to a simpler time when love was unconditional, and people were faithful to their partners. The simple, straightforward melody of the song complements the sincerity and authenticity of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Get down boys, go back home
Leave wherever you are and return to your hometown
Back to the girl you love
Go back to your true love and be faithful to her
Treat her right, never wrong
Be good to your woman and always show her respect and love
How mountain girls can love
A reflection on the unique and passionate love that mountain girls are capable of giving
Riding the night in the high cold winds
Traveling through difficult times and conditions, feeling alone and lost without one's love
On the trail of the old lonesome pine
Following a path of solitude and contemplation, yearning for a connection that has been lost
Thinking of you, feeling so blue
Reflecting on the past and feeling sad about love that has been lost or unreturned
Wondering why you left me behind
A question that remains unanswered, the pain of rejection or abandonment still felt deeply
Remember the night we strolled down the lane
A memory of a happy time shared with a loved one
Our hearts were gay and happy then
A moment of carefree joy and love
You whispered to me as I held your close
Words of love and affection shared in an intimate moment
You hoped this night would never end
A desire to cling to feelings of love and happiness, to hold on to a perfect moment forever
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: RUBY RAKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larry Kunas
There's nothing like good old bluegrass music. Truly an American icon.
Spearman22
Long Live The Stanley Family tradition!!! Long Live The King of Bluegrass/gospel vocals Dr. Ralph Stanley!!!
James Blaylock
These guys light it up. Grew up on this music. Need more today. If the Grand ole Opry would be great again
John Young
The best version Ever, hands down.
gruenmuckel
Well, there's a challenger since today. By Reina del Cid and friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftrlxRBA8B4
packingten
YES!.
TheJamaicanPhoenix
I know that enjoyable music is entirely subjective, but I find bluegrass to be far more appealing than modern country and even Western music. Bluegrass is old-timey but smooth and enjoyable. It reminds me of times in the country hills, and of a simpler and happier time.
ChinaAl
What is there to say? It's just sooo good. Touches the heart. Stanley Brothers and Carl Story and so many others of their time.
Kayla
Such a beautiful sound
Barbara Davis Trost
Love this song. Honeysuckle Possums do a great job too!