ADD: Rank Strangers (Albert E. Brumley)

Subject: Copy of the lost threads 7(Susan)
From: Teru
Date: 22 Apr 97 - 05:19 AM

Dick,

Oh, I have forgotten an important thread.

Sorry

Teru

--------------------------------------------------

Posting requests - beyond title

Messages posted to thread:

From Date

Susan of DT 04/14/97

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Posting requests - beyond title From: Susan of DT Date: 04/14/97

We have been discussing how to title threads, but there are other issues within the request. People often ask for something about title XXX as sung by YYY and do not give a fragment of the song. This limits responses to people who know both song and singer. Other people who know the song, but not the recording referred to, are not likely to be able to respond. Give us all more hints whenever you can. Thanx.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply to Thread

Subject: From:

Enter message below (press return after each line)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Conference Thread Listing ]

Subject: Rank Strangers
From:
Date: 13 Apr 97 - 12:35 PM

I need the words to Rank Strangers and Let My Soul Pass Through the Southland

Subject: Lyr Add: RANK STRANGERS (Albert E. Brumley)
From: Gene Graham
Date: 13 Apr 97 - 12:58 PM

Look in COWPIE under Stanley Brothers: http://www.roughstock.com/cowpie

RANK STRANGERS
Recorded by The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Written by Albert E. Brumley, Sr.
INTRO: Play last two lines of chorus./CAPO: 4th Fret/KEY: F#/PLAY: D

I wandered a-[D] gain to my [A7] home in the [D] mountains
Where in youth's early dawn I was [E] happy and [A7] free. [E] [A7]
I looked for my [D] friends but [A7] I never could [D] find them.
I found they were all rank [A7] strangers to [D] me. [G] [D]

CHORUS: Ever'body I met (ECHO: ever'body I met)
Seemed to [G] be a rank [D] stranger. (seemed to be a rank stranger)
No mother or dad (no mother or dad)
Not a [E] friend could I [A7] see. (not a [E] friend could I [A7] see)
They knew not my [D] name (they knew not my name)
And I [A7] knew not their [D] faces. (and I knew not their faces)
I found they were all (I found they were all)
Rank [A7] strangers to [D] me. (rank [G] strangers to [D] me)

"They've all moved away," said the voice of a stranger,
"To a beautiful home by the bright crystal sea."
Some beautiful day I'll meet 'em in heaven
Where no one will be a stranger to me. CHORUS

Source: THE BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME, 1987 HIGHLAND MUSIC HT-10

HTML line breaks added, in place of double spacing. --JoeClone, 13-Apr-03.

Subject: RE: Rank Strangers
From: Frank
Date: 13 Apr 97 - 03:22 PM

In the "Bluegrass Songbook" - Oak Publications - ISBN 0 8256 0164 8 this song is listed as Traditional. This book has a three string tablature format for the actual notes. --- Frank

Subject: RE: Copy of the lost threads 7(Susan)
From: Dale Rose
Date: 13 May 97 - 03:30 AM

Here is the middle verse, which is not heard as often.

I searched every face for a sign of a loved one,
And I asked ev'ry one where the old folks could be,
I went down the road to inquire of some neighbors,
But found they were, too, rank strangers to me, etc.

I don't think you can stress too much the fact that this is an Albert E. Brumley song. While it has frequently been listed as traditional or credited to the Stanleys, Brumley wrote it in 1942. He left us with a legacy of so many wonderful songs~~I'll Fly Away, Camping In Canaan's Land, If We Never Meet Again, Turn Your Radio On . . .

Subject: rank stranger
From: Frances Casstevens
Date: 14 Nov 98 - 06:49 AM

Was "Rank Stranger" written by Carter Stanley? or is it a traditional song in public domain?

Subject: RE: rank stranger
From: Dale Rose
Date: 14 Nov 98 - 09:55 AM

Neither. Written by the one and only Albert E. Brumley of Powell, Missouri, copyright 1942. Brumley, of course, also wrote such gems as I'll Fly Away, Turn Your Radio On, If We Never Meet Again, Did You Ever Go Sailing?, I'll Meet You In The Morning . . .

Subject: Lyrics Required, Rank Strangers
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:15 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics to the bluegrass song 'Rank Strangers', I believe it was done by the Osborne Brothers. I couldn't find it in DT.

Steve Latimer

Subject: RE: Lyrics Required, Rank Strangers
From: Mudjack
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 09:34 AM

I believe Ralph Stanley authored it. The version I hear is JIm Ringer's. I might have it but let's give the Cats a chance. I'd have to type it out the long way. Our wiser folks can touch four or five clicks and have it for you. If not I'll attempt it later this evening.
Mudjack off to work I go...

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: RANK STRANGERS (Alfred E. Brumley)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:34 AM

I went to Roughstock.com (COWPIE) and got this information

From: "Gene L. Graham"

Subject: RANK STRANGERS

RANK STRANGERS
Recorded by The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Written by Alfred E. Brumley, Sr.

INTRO: Play last two lines of chorus.

CAPO: 4th Fret/KEY: F#/PLAY: D
I wandered a-[D] gain
To my [A7] home in the [D] mountains
Where in youths' early dawn
I was [E] happy and [A7] free [E] [A7]
I looked for my [D] friends
But [A7] I never could [D] find them
I found they were all
Rank [A7] strangers to [D] me. [G] [D]

CHORUS
Ever'body I met (ECHO: ever'body I met)
Seemed to [G] be a rank [D] stranger (seemed to be a rank stranger)
No mother or dad (no mother or dad) ...
Not a [E] friend could I [A7] see (not a [E] friend could I [A7] see)
They knew not my [D] name (they knew not my name)
And I [A7] knew not their [D] faces (and I knew not their faces)
I found they were all (I found they were all)
Rank [A7] strangers to [D] me (rank [G] strangers to [D] me).

"They've all moved away"
Said the voice of a stranger
"To a beautiful home
By the bright crystal sea"
Some beautiful day
I'll meet 'em in heaven
Where no one will be
A stranger to me.
CHORUS

Source: THE BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME, 1987 HIGHLAND MUSIC HT-105

Enjoy the music.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Lyrics Required, Rank Strangers
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 04 Aug 99 - 10:40 AM

Roger,

Thank you, that's exactly what I was after. It was the Clinch Mountain Boys version that I have heard.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyrics Required, Rank Strangers
From: Mudjack
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 01:13 AM

Roger in B...Thanks from me also.
Mudjack

Subject: Rank strangers to me?
From: JTT
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:29 AM

Anyone got the words to this?

Subject: RE: Rank strangers to me?
From: Dale Rose
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:38 AM

Well that IS an easy one, got the book right here by the desk ~~ it is an Albert E. Brumley song (actually entitled Rank Strangers To Me), copyright 1942, which has more or less "escaped", mostly due to the Stanley Brothers version, and the seemingly thousands of recordings which came after theirs. Just enter the term Rank Strangers in the Digitrad and Forum search box, and many, many references will come up. I just glanced at the entries, but have not found the complete lyrics yet, but I think they surely are there. Will enter them later if not.

Subject: ADD: Rank Strangers (Brumley)
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:48 AM

From the Gospel lyrics page:

Peter.
**************************************

From: "Gene L. Graham" [e-mail]

Recorded by The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Written by Alfred E. Brumley, Sr.

Thanks to "Brijet Neff" [e-mail] for the little known second verse
"The only recorded version with three verses( that I could find) was by Carl Story and his Rambling Mountaineers. It was recorded on Starday album 'Mighty Close To Heaven'."


RANK STRANGERS

INTRO: Play last two lines of chorus.

CAPO: 4th Fret/KEY: F#/PLAY: D
I wandered a-[D] gain - to my [A7] home in the [D] mountains
Where in youths' early dawn - I was [E] happy and [A7] free [E] [A7]
I looked for my [D] friends - but [A7] I never could [D] find them
I found they were all - rank [A7] strangers to [D] me. [G] [D]

CHORUS
Ever'body I met (ECHO: ever'body I met)
Seemed to [G] be a rank [D] stranger (seemed to be a rank stranger)
No mother or dad (no mother or dad) ...
Not a [E] friend could I [A7] see (not a [E] friend could I [A7] see)
They knew not my [D] name (they knew not my name)
And I [A7] knew not their [D] faces (and I knew not their faces)
I found they were all (I found they were all)
Rank [A7] strangers to [D] me (rank [G] strangers to [D] me).

I searched every face for a sign of a loved one,
and I asked everyone where the old folks could be.
I went down the road to inquire of some neighbors,
but found they were too, rank strangers to me.

"They've all moved away" - said the voice of a stranger
"To a beautiful home - by the bright crystal sea"
Some beautiful day - I'll meet 'em in heaven
Where no one will be - a stranger to me.

CHORUS

Source: THE BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME, 1987 HIGHLAND MUSIC HT-105

Subject: RE: Rank strangers to me?
From: JTT
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 02:43 PM

Oh boy! It's the story of Oisin!

For those not schooled in Gaelic lore, Oisin was the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, a guy who kept order and made poetry and loved hunting.

One day Fionn and his crowd, the Fianna, were hanging out in Gleann na Smol, just south of Dublin, (the Valley of the Thrushes, it means) and a blonde rode up on a white horse and persuaded Oisin to go with her.

They went off to Hy Brasil, the Land of the Ever-Young, otherwise known as Tir na n-Og, or more correctly Tir na h-Oige, and after a couple of years Oisin got lonesome for home.

Niamh (the blonde) told him that he could go home for a visit, but whatever he should do he shouldn't get off the horse.

So he was riding around Ireland looking for Fionn and the Fianna and getting funny looks, and seeing grass grow over Tara and over Fionn's gaff at the Hill of Allen.

He went to Gleann na Smol and there he saw a bunch of guys trying to move a little stone. He leaned off the horse and picked it up and threw it (it's still there where he threw it, today) and the girth broke on his horse, and he fell down. As soon as he hit the ground he turned into a 300-year-old man, and had the misfortune of having long debates with St Patrick, who supposedly converted him to Christianity. Yeah, right.

But all that stuff about the old folks being gone, that's the centre of the Oisin myth.

Subject: Tune Req: Rank Strangers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 07:26 AM

Can anyone help ? I'm looking for the sheet music to this Stanley Brothers Song, or failing that the tablature.

Thanks y'all, eric

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rank Strangers
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 10:03 AM

Tab here. Warning...it's a 'snag you' site

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Rank Strangers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 04:09 AM

Many thanks Sorcha.

eric

Subject: ADD: Rank Strangers to Me (Brumley)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 03:26 AM

Rank Strangers to Me
(Albert E. Brumley)

I wandered again to my home in the mountains
Where in youth's early dawn I was happy and free
I looked for my friends but I never could find them,
I found they were all rank strangers to me

[CHORUS]
Everybody I met
(Everybody I met)

Seemed to be a rank stranger,
(Seemed to be a rank stranger,)

No mother or dad,
(No mother or dad,)

Not a friend could I see
(Not a friend could I see)

They knew not my name
(They knew not my name)

And I knew not their faces
(And I knew not their faces)

I found they were all
(I found they were all)

Rank strangers to me
(Rank strangers to me)

I searched every face for a sign of a loved one,
And I asked ev'ry one where the old folks could be,
I went down the road to inquire of some neighbors,
But found they were, too, rank strangers to me.
[CHORUS]

"They all moved away," Said the voice of a stranger,
"To a beautiful home By the bright crystal sea,"
Some beautiful day I'll meet 'em in heaven
Where no one will be a stranger to me.
[CHORUS]


Copyright 1943, Stamps-Baxter Music & Printing Co.

from the Brumley songbook, The Best of Albert E. Brumley

---

Click to play

---

Click to play (harmony)

---

Click to play (with accompaniment)

---

Here's a quote from Dale Rose from another thread:

I don't think you can stress too much the fact that this is an Albert E. Brumley song. While it has frequently been listed as traditional or credited to the Stanleys, Brumley wrote it in 1942. He left us with a legacy of so many wonderful songs~~I'll Fly Away, Camping In Canaan's Land, If We Never Meet Again, Turn Your Radio On . . .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 08:15 AM

Nice one Joe.

eric

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: Midchuck
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 11:04 AM

Quote from the New Yorker, from some years ago, that I like so much that I typed it out and saved it:

Perhaps the most dramatic moment in all the Stanley Brothers' hundreds of recordings occurs in the chorus of "Rank Strangers." After Carter sings the verse, Ralph enters with the words "Everybody I met/ Seemed to be a rank stranger" in a voice that stabs like an icepick. He raised the tension in the Stanley Brothers' music to the nearly unbearable: singing above Carter's melody, he would hang on a dissonant note in anticipation of the chord that was about to arrive. Over time, these harmonies became wilder, more edgy and attention-getting - a separate drama that didn't cozy up to the melody but defied it before an ultimate reconciliation.

- David Gates, The New Yorker, Aug. 20-27, 2001

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 07:47 AM

Stanley Brothers, best version ever of this song, incidently does anyone know who played mandolin with the band of that era ?

eric

Subject: RE: rank stranger
From: GUEST,colby
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 11:00 PM

i heard big jim williams wrote it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 09:37 AM

Albert E Brumley, Repeat 50 times!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 10:14 AM

I live near Brumley's part of the world. He is widely suspected of being a wheelhorse in the COPS industry. (COPS = Copyrighting Other People's Stuff)

Even if you repeat it 50 times, we still don't take a claim of authorship by Brumley seriously.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 12:57 PM

To answer Mr. Hanson's question of Apr. 5, here's a quote from Ralph Stanley's new book Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times...

    It was some tough times. Mercury records weren't selling; after almost ten years we were still playing Bristol. It seemed like people were tired of us.
    The pity was, we had one of our best bands with us at the time. We had a mandolin player named Curley Lambert we found in the Lynchburg area. Before you get too confused, Curley's real name was Richard but we nicknamed him “Goat,” which I'll tell you more about later, and he was no relation to either Pee Wee Lambert or Ray Lambert. Curley could really nail it on the harmony singing. Then we'd also got us a fiddle player, Ralph “Old Maid” Mayo, who was from Kingsport n east Tennessee, not far from G. B. Grayson's stomping grounds, and he was raised on the same Grayson and Whitter records we were; he could get that old-time lonesome tone from a fiddle like Grayson could. Carter hung the nickname “Old Maid” on him and I can't for the life of me recall exactly whi, other than he just liked the sound of it and thought it was funny.
    They had a wagonload of talent for two men, and later on they played with us on “Rank Stranger,” with Curley on mandolin and Old Maid on guitar, that a lot of our fans say is our best record. Just this past summer the Library of Congress added “Rank Stranger” to its National Recording Registry for preservation; there are only two hundred fifty “culturally significant audio recordings” on the registry, so it's quite an honor, especially when you consider the Stanley Brothers still ain't in the Country Music Hall of Fame. What I'm really trying to tell you is, this pair of Clinch Mountain Boys brought some wonderful playing and singing to our sound.

So it looks like Curley Lambert played mandolin on that record. And if you haven't read Dr. Ralph's book, you ought to. The link I made above will give Mudcat some income too.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rank Strangers
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 03:16 AM

Thanks Mark, the book is a must for me.

Dave H