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)
What a Friend We Have In Jesus
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefes to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
--- Instrumental ---
Have we trials and temptations
Is there trouble anywhere
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrow share
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer...
The song "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" is a spiritual hymn that is widely popular among Christians worldwide. It was written by Joseph Scriven in 1855, during a moment of intense solitude and grief, and set to music by Charles Converse in 1868. The song's lyrical themes revolve around the concept of taking every issue to God in prayer, highlighting the idea of Jesus as a friend who carries all our sins and grief.
The first verse portrays the all-encompassing nature of Jesus's friendship, offering an invitation to take our worries and pain to Him. The second verse discusses the inner turmoil many people face due to their inability to turn to God in prayer. The bridge of the song implores believers to approach troubles and temptations with confidence and faithfulness, reassured by the presence of a devoted friend in Jesus.
Overall, the song is an excellent reminder of the power of seeking comfort and strength in a higher power. It encourages listeners to trust in the idea of Jesus as an ever-present friend, who can bear the weight of their troubles and bring them peace.
Line by Line Meaning
What a friend we have in Jesus
Jesus is our friend who will always be there for us.
All our sins and griefes to bear
Jesus can take on all of our sins and sorrows.
What a privilege to carry
It is a blessing to be able to bring everything to God in prayer.
Everything to God in prayer.
We can pray to God about anything and everything.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
We often give up our own peace by not bringing our worries to God in prayer.
Of what needless pain we bear
We endure unnecessary pain by not giving our troubles to God in prayer.
All because we do not carry
Our pains and burdens are not lifted because we do not bring them to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations
When we face trials and temptations in life,
Is there trouble anywhere
Or if there is any trouble at all,
We should never be discouraged
We should never lose hope or be disheartened.
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Instead, we should bring our problems to God in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Is it even possible to find a friend as faithful as Jesus?
Who will all our sorrow share
Jesus is willing to share in our sorrows and burdens.
Jesus knows our every weakness
Jesus understands our weaknesses better than anyone else.
Take it to the Lord in prayer...
Therefore, we should bring all of our worries and weaknesses to God in prayer.
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.