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)
Shouting on the Hills of Glory
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shouting on the hills shouting on the hills
There'll be shouting on the hills of glory
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Oh what a blessed reunion
Oh what a blessed reunion
When will we gather over yonder
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
No more sorrow in that city
Jesus prepared a place in heaven
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Now's the time to make your preparations
Now's the time to make your preparations
So stop and make your reservation
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
The song 'Shouting on the Hills of Glory' by The Stanley Brothers is a gospel bluegrass classic that speaks about the joyous reunion that awaits those who put their faith in God. The lyrics describe a scene of celebration and jubilation on the hills of glory, where the redeemed will gather to praise God and enjoy eternal life. The song starts with an exclamation of the upcoming event-"There'll be shouting on the hills of glory," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The phrase "shouting on the hills" is repeated multiple times to emphasize the idea of a joyful celebration.
The lyrics also speak about the end of earthly sorrows and the promise of everlasting life in heaven. The line "No more sorrow in that city" is a reference to the New Jerusalem described in the book of Revelation. The mention of Jesus preparing a place in heaven emphasizes the belief that salvation is only possible through Him.
The song's message encourages listeners to prepare themselves for this great event by putting their faith in God. The line "Now's the time to make your preparations, So stop and make your reservation" is a call to action for those who have not yet accepted Christ into their lives.
Overall, the lyrics emphasize the joy and hope that comes with faith in God and the promise of eternal life. The repetition of the phrase "shouting on the hills" conveys the excitement and enthusiasm associated with this future event.
Line by Line Meaning
There'll be shouting on the hills of glory
There will be loud celebrations on the elevated lands of heaven.
Shouting on the hills shouting on the hills
Repeating that there will be shouting on the hills of glory.
There'll be shouting on the hills of glory
Affirming the previous statement about the joyous commotion on the elevated lands of heaven.
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Stating that there will be shouting and celebration on the hills of God in heaven.
Oh what a blessed reunion
Expressing excitement and gratitude for a joyful meeting with loved ones in heaven.
Oh what a blessed reunion
Repeating the previous line about the joyful reunion in heaven.
When will we gather over yonder
Asking when we will be able to gather with our loved ones in heaven.
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Reiterating that there will be joyful shouting on the hills of God in heaven when we meet our loved ones.
No more sorrow in that city
Saying that in heaven, there will be no more sadness or sorrow.
No more sorrow in that city
Repeating the previous line about the lack of sorrow in heaven.
Jesus prepared a place in heaven
Asserting that Jesus has arranged a place for us in heaven.
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Restating that we will celebrate and shout on the hills of God in heaven.
Now's the time to make your preparations
Advising that now is the time to get ready for the afterlife.
Now's the time to make your preparations
Repeating the previous line about the importance of preparing for the afterlife.
So stop and make your reservation
Encouraging people to take action and reserve their spot in heaven.
There'll be shouting on the hills of God
Concluding that there will be joyful shouting on the hills of God in heaven for those who prepare and make it there.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CARTER STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind