- published: 30 Jan 2009
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Ralph Stanley (born February 25, 1927), also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley, is an American bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing.
Ralph Edmond Stanley was born, grew up, and lives today in rural southwestern Virginia—"in a little town called McClure at a place called Big Spraddle, just up the holler" from where he moved in 1936 and has lived ever since in Dickenson County. The son of Lee and Lucy Stanley, Ralph did not grow up around a lot of music in his home. As he says, his "daddy didn't play an instrument, but sometimes he would sing church music. And I'd hear him sing songs like 'Man of Constant Sorrow,' 'Pretty Polly' and 'Omie Wise.'"
He learned to play the banjo, clawhammer style, from his mother:
He graduated from high school on May 2, 1945 and was inducted into the Army on May 16, serving "little more than a year." He immediately began performing when he got home:
After initially considering a course in "veterinary," he decided to throw in with his older guitar-playing brother, Carter, and form the Clinch Mountain Boys, in 1946. Drawing heavily on the musical traditions of the area, which included the unique minor-key singing style of the Primitive Baptist Universalist church and the sweet down-home family harmonies of the Carter Family, the Stanleys began playing on local radio stations. They first performed at Norton, Virginia's WNVA, but didn't stay long there, moving on instead to Bristol, Virginia and WCYB to start the show Farm and Fun Time where they stayed "off and on for 12 years."
If you're in the battle for the Lord and right
Just keep on the firing line
If you win the battle, surely you must fight
(Brother) keep on the firing line
(Brother) keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Time is getting short
Jesus coming soon
(Brother) keep on the firing line
There are many dangers everyone must face
If you die fighting, there is no disgrace
With the Lord for coward
You will find no place
(Brother) keep on the firing line
(Brother) keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Time is getting short
Jesus coming soon
(Brother) keep on the firing line
God can only use the soldier he can trust
To keep on the firing line
If you wear the crown
Bear the cross you must
(Brother) keep on the firing line
(Brother) keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Time is getting short
Jesus coming soon
(Brother) keep on the firing line
(Brother) keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Time is getting short
Jesus coming soon