The Stanley Brothers (Carter Stanley, 1925-1966, and Ralph Stanley, 1927-20… Read Full Bio ↴The Stanley Brothers (Carter Stanley, 1925-1966, and Ralph Stanley, 1927-2016) were an American bluegrass duo originally hailing from Dickenson County, Virginia. The family soon moved to McClure, Virginia, where their parents worked a small farm in the Clinch Mountains. Music was a part of their lives from the word go, as they were able to listen to the likes of The Monroe Brothers, Mainer's Mountaineers, and other artists featured on the Grand Ole Opry radio program.

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)

The Cry From The Cross
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

One morning in Jerusalem about the break of dawn
A great trial was in session, they tried our blessed lord
They scorned him and they mocked him, they made him carry the cross
On top of Calvary mountain, they crucified my Lord

Oh the cry (Jesus cried) from the cross
Forgive him blessed father, he died upon the cross
Oh the cry (Jesus cried) from the cross

The son of God was dying, to save the world from loss

Saint Peter he denied him at that awful trial at night
He said he never new him, it was an awful sight
He looked upon Saint Peter with eyes of perfect love
Saint Peter's heart was broken, he prayed to God above

Crying father it is finished then he bowed his head and died
The world was left in darkness, the graves were open wide

An earthquake shook Jerusalem the dead walked into town
The multitudes were frightened, God's wrath came pouring down

Overall Meaning

The Cry From The Cross by The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys is a gospel song that recounts the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The lyrics speak to the injustice and cruelty that Jesus endured in his final hours, as well as the love and forgiveness he embodied throughout his life. The song begins with a description of Jesus' trial in Jerusalem, where he is scorned and mocked by the authorities before being forced to carry his own cross up Calvary mountain. The haunting refrain of "oh, the cry from the cross" serves as a reminder of the pain and suffering that Jesus endured, as well as the hope and redemption that he brought to the world through his sacrifice.

The second half of the song focuses on the aftermath of Jesus' death, as his disciples and the people of Jerusalem come to terms with what has happened. Saint Peter in particular is highlighted, with his denial of Jesus at the trial serving as a reminder of the humanity and fallibility of even the most devout believers. However, the song ultimately ends on a note of triumph, as the resurrection of Jesus is heralded by an earthquake and the dead rising from their graves.

Line by Line Meaning

One morning in Jerusalem about the break of dawn
At one early morning in the city of Jerusalem

A great trial was in session, they tried our blessed lord
Our blessed Lord Jesus Christ stood trial before the authorities

They scorned him and they mocked him, they made him carry the cross
The authorities belittled and humiliated Jesus, and he had to carry the cross to the place of crucifixion

On top of Calvary mountain, they crucified my Lord
On Calvary mountain, they nailed my Lord Jesus Christ to the cross and left him to die

Oh the cry (Jesus cried) from the cross
Jesus cried out from the cross

Forgive him blessed father, he died upon the cross
Jesus asked God, his blessed father, to forgive those who crucified him

Oh the cry (Jesus cried) from the cross
Jesus cried out from the cross

The son of God was dying, to save the world from loss
The son of God, Jesus Christ, was dying on the cross to save the world from eternal damnation

Saint Peter he denied him at that awful trial at night
During the trial, Saint Peter denied knowing Jesus three times

He said he never knew him, it was an awful sight
Saint Peter's denial of Jesus was a terrible and painful sight to behold

He looked upon Saint Peter with eyes of perfect love
Despite Saint Peter's denial, Jesus looked at him with perfect love and compassion

Saint Peter's heart was broken, he prayed to God above
Saint Peter was heartbroken over his denial of Jesus, and he prayed to God for forgiveness

Crying father it is finished then he bowed his head and died
Jesus cried out to his heavenly father that his mission on earth was complete, and then he died

The world was left in darkness, the graves were open wide
With Jesus' death, the world was plunged into darkness and grief, and many dead were resurrected

An earthquake shook Jerusalem the dead walked into town
An earthquake occurred in Jerusalem, and many of the dead were resurrected and walked into town

The multitudes were frightened, God's wrath came pouring down
The people were scared and anxious, as God's wrath seemed to be pouring down upon them

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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