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)
I'm Ready To Go
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hallelujah, I'm ready
I can hear the voices singing soft and low
Hallelujah, I'm ready, hallelujah I'm ready to go.
In the darkness of night, not a star was in sight
On the highway that leads down below
But Jesus came in and saved us all from sin
Chorus:
Hallelujah, I'm ready
I can hear the voices singing soft and low
Hallelujah, I'm ready, hallelujah I'm ready to go.
--- Instrumental ---
Sinners don't wait until it's too late
He's a wonderful saviour you know
Well, I fell on my knees when he answered my plea's
Hallelujah, I'm ready to go.
Chorus:
Hallelujah, I'm ready
I can hear the voices singing soft and low
Hallelujah, I'm ready, hallelujah I'm ready to go.
--- Instrumental ---
Chorus:
Hallelujah, I'm ready
I can hear the voices singing soft and low
Hallelujah, I'm ready, hallelujah I'm ready to go.
Hallelujah, I'm ready to go.
Hallelujah, I'm ready to go.
Hallelujah, I'm ready to go...
The Stanley Brothers' song "I'm Ready To Go" is a gospel bluegrass style piece that expresses the singer's strong belief in Jesus Christ and the salvation he has provided. The choral refrain of "Hallelujah, I'm ready" is a declaration of their readiness to go to heaven, and their willingness to follow wherever Jesus leads them. The verses of the song describe the singer's personal journey to salvation, and the trials and struggles they have overcome through their faith in Jesus.
The first verse sets the scene of a dark, starless night on a highway leading to the underworld. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the trials and challenges of life, which can seem daunting and insurmountable. However, the singer expresses confidence that Jesus has come to save them from their sins and lead them to the light. The second verse describes the personal transformation that comes with accepting Jesus as a savior, and the powerful impact it can have on an individual's life. The final chorus is a triumphant expression of the singer's faith and readiness to go to heaven whenever called.
Overall, "I'm Ready To Go" is a powerful expression of the importance of faith and salvation in the lives of those who believe. It is a call to take action and accept Jesus as a savior, in order to find peace and fulfillment in this life and the next.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah, I'm ready
I am fully prepared and willing to go.
I can hear the voices singing soft and low
I can sense the peaceful and serene atmosphere that accompanies the thought of departing.
On the highway that leads down below
On the earthly path that ultimately leads to death and the afterlife.
But Jesus came in and saved us all from sin
Jesus offered us salvation, freeing us from our transgressions and giving us the opportunity to enter Heaven.
Sinners don't wait until it's too late
It's important for people who have sinned to repent and seek salvation as soon as possible, as there is no guarantee of a tomorrow.
He's a wonderful saviour you know
Jesus is a remarkable savior who is compassionate and forgiving to all.
Well, I fell on my knees when he answered my plea's
I humbly prayed for forgiveness and was overcome with gratitude and joy when Jesus granted me salvation.
Hallelujah, I'm ready to go
I am, once again, declaring my eagerness to depart this world and enter Heaven.
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@gentlejones
AMAZING MESSAGE
@irvinklugh8858
VERY GOOD MUSIC
@irvinklugh8858
LOVE BLUEGRASS GOSPLE