Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen. In 1963, when the song "Louie, Louie" by the garage rock band also called The Kingsmen became famous, the group elected to bill themselves as The Statler Brothers. Despite the name, only two members of the group (Don and Harold Reid) are actual brothers and none have the surname of "Statler". The band, in fact, named themselves after a brand of facial tissue they had noticed in a hotel room (they joked that they could have turned out to be the Kleenex Brothers). Don Reid sang lead. Harold Reid, Don's older brother, sang bass. Phil Balsley sang baritone and Jimmy Fortune sang tenor after replacing original tenor Lew DeWitt in the early 1980s due to the latter's ill health. DeWitt died on August 15, 1990 of heart and kidney disease, stemming from complications of Crohn's disease.
The band's style was closely linked to their gospel roots. "We took gospel harmonies," said Harold Reid, "and put them over in country music."
The group remained closely tied to their gospel roots, with a majority of their records containing at least one gospel song. They produced several albums containing only gospel music and recorded a tribute song to the Blackwood Brothers, who influenced their music. The Statler Brothers also wrote a tribute song to Johnny Cash, who discovered them. The song was called "We Got Paid by Cash", and it reminisces about their time with Cash
Since forming, the Statler Brothers have released over 40 albums. They received Grammy Awards in 1966 and 1973. Two of their best-known songs are their first big hit, Flowers on the Wall, and the socially-conscious Bed of Roses. Late in their career they had a regular variety show on the cable television channel then known as The Nashville Network. Throughout their career, much of their appeal was related to their considerable ability for comedy and parody that they frequently interspersed into their musical act; they were frequently nominated for awards for their comedy as well as their singing. They recorded two comedy albums as Lester Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys, and one-half of one side of the album Country Music Then and Now was also devoted to satirizing small-town radio stations' Saturday morning shows.
The group disbanded and retired after completing a farewell tour on October 26, 2002. Balsley and the Reid brothers continue to reside in Staunton, while Fortune has relocated to Nashville, where he is continuing his music career as a solo artist. He has released three albums as a soloist. The Statlers continue to be the most awarded act in the history of country music.
Since the Statlers' retirement in 2002, Don has pursued a second career as an author. He authored or co-authored three books: Heroes and Outlaws of the Bible, Sunday Morning Memories, and You'll Know It's Christmas When.... He and Harold co-wrote a history of the Statler Brothers titled Random Memories released in February 2008.
The Statler Brothers have been credited as the first country music act to transfer the genre's nostalgia from a rural to a suburban setting. They have also been called "America's Poets" by Kurt Vonnegut.
This World Is Not My Home
The Statler Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the marching throng
The flurry of God's trumpets
Spells the end of sin and wrong
Regal robes are now unfolding
Heaven's grandstand's all in place
Heaven's choir is now assembled
Start to sing Amazing Grace
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me
Happy faces line the hallways
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Broken homes that He has mended
Those from prison He has freed
Little children and the aged
Hand in hand stand all aglow
Who were crippled, broken, ruined
Clad in garments white as snow
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me
O the King is coming
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpets sounding
And now His face I see
O the King is coming
The King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me
Praise God, He's coming for me
He's coming, He's coming
The Statler Brothers' song, "This World Is Not My Home," speaks about the promise of eternal life and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The lyrics describe a scene where the signs of the end of the world are present, such as the chariots rumbling, the marching throng, and the flurry of God's trumpets. The song further symbolizes the regal robes that are unfolding, and the grandstand of heaven all in place; the choir is now assembled and singing "Amazing Grace." These descriptions paint a picture of an impending event of great importance.
The second verse talks about the happy faces lining hallways, people whose lives have been redeemed and broken homes mended, those who have been freed from prison, little children, aged, crippled, and those who were once ruined; all of whom are now sharing the same experience awaiting the coming of the King. The lyrics of "This World Is Not My Home" portray heaven as a place of love and acceptance where all are welcome.
The chorus, which repeats several times in the song, announces the coming of the King and how He is coming for the singer. These are powerful and inspiring lyrics that speak of hope, redemption, and acceptance.
In summary, "This World Is Not My Home" speaks of the Christian's hope of heaven, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and a promised new life where we will be reunited with loved ones and be in the presence of the King of Kings.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear the chariots rumble
The end of the world is coming and it's going to be a grand final show.
I can see the marching throng
I see a huge mass of people moving together in unison towards an epic event.
The flurry of God's trumpets
God's announcement of his imminent arrival is getting louder and clearer.
Spells the end of sin and wrong
The day of judgement is near and all the wrongs will be put to an end.
Regal robes are now unfolding
The royals from heaven are starting to make their grand entry.
Heaven's grandstand's all in place
The heavenly VIP area is ready for the biggest show of all time.
Heaven's choir is now assembled
The best choir from heaven is here to start the show with a bang.
Start to sing Amazing Grace
The great opening song of the biggest show on earth.
O the King is coming
The King of all kings is arriving.
The King is coming
The King mentioned earlier is on his way.
I just heard the trumpets sounding
The trumpets are getting louder and clearer signalling the arrival of the King.
And now His face I see
I can now see the face of the King as he's getting closer.
Praise God, He's coming for me
I'm excited and grateful because the King is coming to take me to heaven.
Happy faces line the hallways
The people who have been redeemed and are going to heaven are very happy.
Those whose lives have been redeemed
Those who have repented and accepted Jesus as their saviour are going to heaven.
Broken homes that He has mended
Families that were broken and torn apart have been reconciled by God.
Those from prison He has freed
God has set free those who were held captive and imprisoned by the devil.
Little children and the aged
From the youngest to the oldest, everyone is welcome to go to heaven.
Hand in hand stand all aglow
Everyone is standing together in joy - from the old to the young, the free and the redeemed.
Who were crippled, broken, ruined
Those who were physically, emotionally and spiritually hurt have been healed and restored.
Clad in garments white as snow
Everyone is now wearing clothes made of pure white silk as a symbol of being cleansed of all their sins.
Praise God, He's coming for me
I'm excited and grateful because the King is coming to take me to heaven.
Lyrics ยฉ CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: E. B. B. GRAHAM, S. D. BRUTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christine Nyawira
This world is not my home
I'm just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
I have a loving mother
Just up in Gloryland
And I don't expect to stop
Until I shake her hand
She's waiting now for me
In heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Just over in Gloryland
We'll live eternally
The saints on every hand
Are shouting victory
Their songs of sweetest praise
Drift back from heaven's shore
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home In this world any more
G. Lawrence
This song came to me a few minutes ago. I've been singing it wondering why the Lord would drop this song into my spirit. As Believers, we must wear this world as a loose garment. Store up your treasures in heaven and be not distracted by earthly pursuits. Let us set our minds on the things above.
karen yochim
Succinctly said. YES!
Sherie Lee
Me 2. Wondering why myself.
Pearl White
Wholeheartedly Agree ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Karen Allard
I know -
I'm 70 +alone- not scared because I do belong in this world anymore - Jesus is here with me - blessed โ & lots of sorrow however He has blessed me more. Through each sorrow to bring me blessing of only He can bring me๐ข๐ข๐ข
maria Na
A lovely song, full of meaning
dance1946
Woke up in the middle of the night and the lyrics to this song came to me! I hadn't sang it for years. I had to search for it this morning and this is the first I found!! Amen!!!
karen yochim
That happens to me also. Glad someone else has songs come to mind out of nowhere. Happens almost daily.
Stephen Osborne
Beautifully sang my brothers in the Lord, brought back wonderful memories. Thank you and God bless
oberryconnection
This performance is just fantastic!!