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)
Jordan
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take Jesus as your daily guide
Though you may feel pure and saintly
Without him walkin by your side
But when you come to make the crossing
At the ending of your pilgrim way
If you ever will need our Savior
(Now look at that) cold Jordan
(Look at its) deep waters
(Look at that) wide river
Oh hear the mighty billows roll
(You better take) Jesus with you
(He's a) true companion
(For I'm) sure without him
That you never will make it o'er
That awful day of judgment
Is comin' in the by and by
We'll see our Lord descending
In Glory from on high
Oh let us keep in touch with Jesus
And in his precious love abide
We may be ever caught ready
When he calls us over Jordan's tide
(Oh what) oh what you gonna do
(Oh what) oh what you gonna say
(Oh how) oh how you gonna feel
When you come to the end of the way
The Stanley Brothers' song "Jordan" emphasizes the significance of seeking Jesus as a guide throughout one's life journey in order to ensure salvation while crossing over the River Jordan. The central theme of the song serves as a warning to all who might walk a virtuous life without the guidance of the savior. Despite the feeling of purity and saintliness that one may encounter during their lives, the lyrics warn of the absolute necessity of having Jesus by one's side to make the final crossing.
The lyrics emphasize the fear and anticipation of crossing the River Jordan, with its deep and wide waters, as a metaphor for ending one's journey at the end of life. The importance of keeping in touch with Jesus is also stressed, highlighting the security and assurance of abiding in his love throughout life. The day of judgment seems ominous as the song describes the belief that Jesus will descend with glory from on high. The lyrics envision this theme as vital in the preparation for the ultimate crossing over the River Jordan.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh come and as you tread life's journey
As you go through life, it is important to have Jesus as your guide.
Take Jesus as your daily guide
Jesus should be a constant companion in your life.
Though you may feel pure and saintly
Even if you feel like you are a good person,
Without him walkin by your side
you cannot make it through life without Jesus.
But when you come to make the crossing
As you near the end of your life,
At the ending of your pilgrim way
when your journey through life is over,
If you ever will need our Savior
you will need Jesus as your Savior.
You'll surely need him on that day
It is important to have Jesus with you when you face the end of your life.
(Now look at that) cold Jordan
Jordan is a metaphor for death.
(Look at its) deep waters
Death can be scary and unknown.
(Look at that) wide river
Death is inevitable and affects everyone.
Oh hear the mighty billows roll
The uncertainty of death can be overwhelming and scary.
(You better take) Jesus with you
Jesus is the only way to face death with peace and hope.
(He's a) true companion
Jesus is a faithful and constant friend.
(For I'm) sure without him
Without Jesus, facing death would be impossible.
That you never will make it o'er
Death is a journey that cannot be faced alone.
That awful day of judgment
The day when we will be judged for our actions.
Is comin' in the by and by
This day will come eventually.
We'll see our Lord descending
Jesus will come back to judge the world.
In Glory from on high
He will come in a grand and powerful way.
Oh let us keep in touch with Jesus
We should stay close to Jesus throughout our lives.
And in his precious love abide
We should dwell in Jesus' love.
We may be ever caught ready
We should always be prepared for the coming of Jesus.
When he calls us over Jordan's tide
When we die, we will cross over into eternal life.
(Oh what) oh what you gonna do
What will you do when you face the end of your life?
(Oh what) oh what you gonna say
What will you say when you face judgment?
(Oh how) oh how you gonna feel
How will you feel when you cross over into eternal life?
When you come to the end of the way
When your journey through life is over.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: CARTER STANLEY, F. RICH, RALPH STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlos Medrano
Love it!
SuperWaluigiSkyler and superluigijesse
Love this song
Barry Hossin
Love this, a very happy new year.!!
Bernice Atkins
What a song, so true, we had better heed it
Morag MacGregor
My of the original bluegrass bands and on most days my favorite gospel song. But there are quite a few great bands and dozens of songs that I love just as much at different times.
Crystal Hale
Hank and Dickie do it best!
Mortimer Snerd
The lyric sheet says "And in His precious love abide", but that's not what they're singing. It sounds like "And something love of God". Anyone know what the correct words are?
georat16
Hey Mortimer, I'm looking at lyrics too. You're learning it to sing it, right? George - Moreno Valley, California
extra solar
:D
Jess Strong
East Ky proud breathitt perry co proud