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 Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The narrow way leads home
Lay down your soul at Jesus' feet
The darkest hour is just before dawn
The sun is slowly sinking
The day is almost gone
Still darkness falls around us
Like a shepherd out on the mountain
A watching the sheep down below
He's coming back to claim us
Will you be ready to go
The Stanley Brothers' song, The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn is a powerful gospel song that is filled with a message of hope and encouragement. The lyrics are centered around the idea that even in difficult times, we can find comfort in Jesus and that he will guide us through the darkest moments of our lives. The opening line of the song, "The darkest hour is just before dawn," serves as a reminder that when things seem most bleak, there is still hope and light to be found.
The song's lyrics speak directly to the listener, encouraging them to lay down their soul at Jesus' feet and trust that he will guide them on the narrow way home. With each verse, the song further emphasizes the idea of faith and trust in God, comparing our journey through life to that of a shepherd watching over his sheep. The chorus serves as a reminder that, no matter how dark the night, the dawn is always coming, and we need only to have faith and stay strong in our belief.
Overall, The Stanley Brothers' The Darkest Hour Is Just Before Dawn is a beautiful and inspiring gospel song that speaks to the heart and reminds us of the power of faith and hope in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
The darkest hour is just before dawn
Difficult times are usually followed by brighter days, so hold on.
The narrow way leads home
Following the path of righteousness and staying true to your beliefs will lead you to your ultimate destination - Heaven.
Lay down your soul at Jesus' feet
Surrender all your worries, fears, and troubles to Jesus and trust in his guidance and protection.
The sun is slowly sinking
The day is coming to an end and darkness is approaching.
The day is almost gone
Time is running out and we must keep moving forward towards our goals.
Still darkness falls around us
Although we may encounter challenges and obstacles in life, we must remember that they are only temporary and we will eventually overcome them.
And we must journey on
We must continue moving forward, despite the difficulties and uncertainties we may face along the way.
Like a shepherd out on the mountain
Just as a shepherd watches over and protects his sheep, Jesus watches over and protects his followers.
A watching the sheep down below
Jesus is always watching out for us and making sure we are safe and secure.
He's coming back to claim us
Jesus will return one day to take his faithful followers with him to Heaven.
Will you be ready to go
Will you be prepared and willing to leave this world behind and join Jesus in the afterlife?
Contributed by Claire R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.