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)

We
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics

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We shall meet (we shall meet) where no storm clouds gather
We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
By the river of life sparkling cool and clear
We shall meet someday

How our heart aches with grief when we say goodbye
We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
Where no sorrow or tears ever dims our eyes

We shall meet (we shall meet) someday

What a glorious thought as we say goodbye
We shall meet (we shall meet) someday

In that beautiful home that's prepared on high
We shall meet (we shall meet) someday

Overall Meaning

The Stanley Brothers' song "We Shall Meet" is a hymn that speaks of the comfort in the belief that loved ones will be reunited in the afterlife. The lyrics mention meeting where no storm clouds gather, by a sparkling river of life that is cool and clear. This description evokes images of a peaceful and idyllic paradise, free from the chaos and turmoil of the earthly world. The phrase "we shall meet someday" is repeated throughout the song, repeating the hope and promise of the reunion.

The second verse acknowledges the pain of saying goodbye to loved ones, with a heart that aches with grief. The song recognizes that sorrow and tears are a part of this world, but the hope remains that in the afterlife, there will be no more tears or sorrow. This message offers a message of hope and comfort to those who have lost loved ones.

The final verse describes the home that awaits in the afterlife as a "beautiful home that's prepared on high," a reference to the biblical notion of heaven. The idea of heaven as a prepared home offers a sense of reassurance and security to those who fear death or who have lost loved ones.

This song's message is universal and offers solace to those who have lost loved ones. It has become a classic hymn and is often performed at funerals and other somber events.

Line by Line Meaning

We shall meet (we shall meet) where no storm clouds gather
We will get together where there are no signs of sadness or trouble.

We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
We will see each other eventually.

By the river of life sparkling cool and clear
We will be united by a refreshing stream of life.

We shall meet someday
We will come together eventually.

How our heart aches with grief when we say goodbye
It is very sad to part ways and our emotions are affected.

We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
We will certainly meet again.

Where no sorrow or tears ever dims our eyes
The day when we meet again, our eyes will not be filled with sadness or tears.

We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
We will certainly come face to face.

What a glorious thought as we say goodbye
The concept of meeting again is very beautiful and empowers us.

We shall meet (we shall meet) someday
We will definitely see each other again.

In that beautiful home that's prepared on high
We will meet in a beautiful and prepared heavenly abode.