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 Mountian 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 lyrics to The Stanley Brothers' song "How Mountain Girls Can Love" tell the story of a heartbroken man who is reflecting on his lost love. The singer suggests to his fellow men that they should go back home to the girls they love and treat them right. He then reflects on a time when he and his love were happy and carefree, strolling down a lane and feeling very much in love. The song is a lament for a love that is lost, and a reminder that men should cherish and respect the women they love.
The use of rural imagery is prevalent throughout the song, reflecting the bluegrass and country roots of The Stanley Brothers' music. The lyrics speak of "riding the night in the high cold winds" and being "on the trail of the old lonesome pine," evoking a sense of rugged, wild landscapes. The song also contains a reference to the Appalachian Mountains, which was an important region for bluegrass music.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was a hit for The Stanley Brothers in the mid-1950s, and it remains a standard in the bluegrass music repertoire. It has been covered by numerous other artists, including Dolly Parton, The Osborne Brothers, and Ricky Skaggs. Another interesting fact is that the song was written by Ruby Rakes, a schoolteacher from Virginia who is often credited with pioneering the "mountain sound" of bluegrass music.
Chords:
The chords for "How Mountain Girls Can Love" are as follows:
Verse:
G D G D
G D G D
C G D D
Chorus:
G D G D
G D G D
C G D D
Bridge:
C D G D
G D G D
C D G D
G D G D
Line by Line Meaning
Get down boys, go back home
Leave and return to the woman you love
Back to the girl you love
Reunite with the woman who holds your heart
Treat her right, never wrong
Always treat her with love and respect
How mountain girls can love
The unparalleled love of a girl raised in the mountains
Riding the night in the high cold winds
Riding through the cold, windy night
On the trail of the old lonesome pine
Following a lonely path, perhaps reminiscent of lost love
Thinking of you, feeling so blue
Thoughts of a lost love bring on feelings of sadness
Wondering why you left me behind
Questioning the reason for being left alone
Remember the night we strolled down the lane
Reflecting back on a night spent together
Our hearts were gay and happy then
Our hearts were full of joy and happiness at that time
You whispered to me as I held your close
Soft words of affection spoken while holding each other close
You hoped this night would never end
Wishing that the moment could last forever
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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!