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 Saw The Light
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wouldn't let my dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Just like a blind man, I wandered alone
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that god gave back his sight
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I was a fool to wander and stray
For straight is the gate and narrow the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
"I Saw The Light" is a classic gospel song originally recorded by Hank Williams in 1948. The Stanley Brothers also recorded the song and their version became a bluegrass standard. The lyrics are a powerful testimony of conversion, redemption, and salvation. The singer confesses that they were lost, wandering aimlessly and alone, living a sinful life without any hope or purpose. They refused to let Jesus into their life until one day, he came like a stranger in the night, and opened their eyes to the truth. The metaphor of blindness is used repeatedly in the song to describe the singer's spiritual condition before the encounter with Jesus. The turning point is when the singer sees the light and realizes that they no longer have to live in darkness and despair. The chorus is a joyful declaration of the transformation that has taken place: "I saw the light, I saw the light, no more darkness, no more night, now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight. Praise the Lord, I saw the light."
There are many possible interpretations of the lyrics of "I Saw The Light," but most people would agree that the song is a testimony of faith and a celebration of the grace of God. It is not just a personal story, but a universal one that speaks to the human condition and the universal need for salvation. The imagery of blindness and light is particularly powerful, as it conveys the idea that we are all blind until we see the truth of the gospel. The language of the song is simple and direct, but its message is profound and deeply moving.
Line by Line Meaning
I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I lived a purposeless life, consumed by sin.
I wouldn't let my dear Savior in
I rejected Jesus as my savior.
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Jesus came into my life.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
Thankfully, I found salvation through Jesus.
Just like a blind man, I wandered alone
Lost and confused, I wandered through life without direction.
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
I let anxiety and fear control my life.
Then like the blind man that god gave back his sight
God revealed his truth to me, giving me clarity and direction.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I am grateful that I found enlightenment and salvation through God.
I saw the light, I saw the light
I had a spiritual awakening and found the truth.
No more darkness, no more night
The darkness of sin and ignorance is gone from my life.
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
I now live a joyous life, free from sorrow and despair.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I am thankful to God for giving me enlightenment and salvation.
I was a fool to wander and stray
I realize now that I was foolish to live a life of sin and aimlessness.
For straight is the gate and narrow the way
The path of righteousness and salvation is not easy, but it is the right path.
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
I have left behind my sinful ways and embraced the path of righteousness.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I thank God for showing me the path to enlightenment and salvation.
I saw the light, I saw the light
I had a profound spiritual awakening and found the truth.
No more darkness, no more night
I am now free from the darkness of ignorance and sin.
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
I have found joy and peace in my life.
Praise the Lord, I saw the light
I am eternally grateful to God for enlightening me and saving me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kingsley
Praise the Lord I saw the light
Wilda Hold
Great music
William McCloud
Agreed
Mack Luther
Great
William McCloud
Mack,Cars and CB Radios we lost Carter Stanley to soon to alcohol poisoning at the age of 41 years old when he passed away and his brother Ralph Stanley died from skin cancer both we great singer's
William McCloud
Mack,Cars and CB Radios true very true
Stefan Clarkowski
im not religious but gospel bluegrass is the shid
Henk de Tenk
same