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)
Take Me Home
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His love will find a way
He'll bridge the stream if his hand I will take
When he calls what can I say
Day follows night night follows day
Farther and farther I roam
What will my answer be what can I say
Sometimes the clouds seem to cover his face
Sometimes the skies are so gray
Still by the stars and his wonderful grace
He'll roll the storm clouds away
The Stanley Brothers' song, "When Jesus Beckons Me Home," speaks to the deep-rooted faith and trust found in Christianity. The song starts by conveying the singer's conviction that Jesus will never forsake him. In times of turmoil or uncertainty, it's easy to feel abandoned and question the existence of a higher presence, but the singer is reassured that love will find a way. The singer then refers to the metaphorical stream that needs to be bridged, and how taking Jesus' hand can lead him to salvation. This reinforces that instead of being alone, he'll always have someone to guide him towards the right path.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the singer isn't quite sure what to expect when he is summoned to return to heaven. He's uncertain of what his response to Jesus will be when he undergoes judgment. The lyrics also cleverly use a day-night cycle to symbolize how time passes. Every day that goes by is one day closer to the time when he may be summoned home. At this moment, the listener is encouraged to reflect about their life choices and whether they're genuinely living in accordance with their faith or not. However, it chooses to end the song on a reassuring note, reminding the listener that Jesus' grace is strong enough to withstand even the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that Jesus will never forsake
I am confident that Jesus will always be by my side and never abandon me.
His love will find a way
No matter what obstacles I face, Jesus's love will always help me find a solution.
He'll bridge the stream if his hand I will take
If I trust in Jesus and take his hand, he will help me cross any difficult or challenging situations in my life.
When he calls what can I say
I know that when it's time for me to go, I will joyfully answer his call and go home to be with him.
Day follows night night follows day
No matter what happens in my life, time moves forward and new opportunities and challenges will always come.
Farther and farther I roam
As I journey through life, I continue to move further away from where I started and venture into the unknown.
What will my answer be what can I say
When Jesus calls me home, I wonder what my response will be and what I will say to him.
When Jesus beckons my home
I know that one day Jesus will call me home to be with him and live in eternal peace and happiness.
Sometimes the clouds seem to cover his face
There are times when I may feel distant from Jesus or that he is hiding from me, but I trust in his love and know that he is always there.
Sometimes the skies are so gray
Life can be difficult and challenging, but I know that Jesus's love and grace can help me overcome any obstacles.
Still by the stars and his wonderful grace
Despite the challenges I face, I am reminded of Jesus's love and grace and how they guide me through life.
He'll roll the storm clouds away
With his love and grace, Jesus will help me overcome any difficulties and remove any obstacles that are blocking my path.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GENE ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind