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)
Who Will Call You Sweetheart?
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who will call you sweetheart?
Oh, who will tell you they love you?
Oh, you once was my little sweetheart
Now who's been talkin' to you
Somebody's been tellin' you wrong
Things about me that you shouldn't believe
Now who will kiss your lips darlin'?
Who will call you sweetheart?
Oh, who will tell you they love you?
Oh, you once was my little sweetheart
This talk that's goin' 'round town
Some love it, I know it's not true
'Bout the things that I've done and the places I've been
For darlin' I've always loved you
Now who will kiss your lips darlin'?
Who will call you sweetheart?
Oh, who will tell you they love you?
Oh, you once was my little sweetheart
In the song "Who Will Call You Sweetheart?" by The Stanley Brothers, the singer is lamenting the end of a relationship and wondering who will take his place as the object of his former lover's affection. He asks who will kiss her lips and call her sweetheart, alluding to the intimacy and endearment that they shared during their time together. The singer also expresses frustration with the rumors that have been spread about him, implying that they led to the end of the relationship. However, he maintains his love for his former sweetheart and regrets losing her.
The song explores themes of love and loss, as well as the impact of gossip and rumors on relationships. The lyrics are filled with emotion and reflect the pain of ending a relationship, as well as the uncertainty and fear of being replaced. The repetition of the questions "who will kiss your lips darlin'?" and "who will call you sweetheart?" emphasizes the importance of these intimate gestures and underscores the singer's longing for his former love.
Overall, "Who Will Call You Sweetheart?" is a poignant and heartfelt lament about the end of a relationship and the pain of losing someone you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Now who will kiss your lips darlin'?
I am curious and concerned about who will show you affection now that we are apart.
Who will call you sweetheart?
I wonder who will use terms of endearment towards you, like I once did.
Oh, who will tell you they love you?
I'm worried that someone else will confess their love to you, when my feelings for you are still strong.
Oh, you once was my little sweetheart
I remember the love we once had and how special it was.
Now who's been talkin' to you
I am suspicious that someone has been spreading lies about me to you.
Somebody's been tellin' you wrong
I am sure that the things you have heard about me are untrue.
Things about me that you shouldn't believe
I'm concerned that these rumors will damage our relationship and your perception of me.
I'll miss you sweetheart when you're gone
I know that this separation will be difficult for both of us, and I will miss you deeply.
This talk that's goin' 'round town
I am aware of the rumors and gossip about me that have spread throughout the community.
Some love it, I know it's not true
Although some people may find the rumors entertaining, they are baseless lies about me.
'Bout the things that I've done and the places I've been
The rumors are about my actions and supposed whereabouts, which are not grounded in reality.
For darlin' I've always loved you
Despite what you may have heard, my love for you has never wavered and is still present.
Writer(s): C. Stanley, B. Monroe
Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.