The Stanley Brothers - The End Of The Road / Pray For The Boys
(King 6023) Feb 1966
This 7" features two songs that were recorded in the sessions for the Stanley's Collection Of Original Gospel And Sacred Songs (aka 'The Greatest Country & Western Show On Earth') album.
The End Of The Road is a fairly mediocre sacred piece, attributed to Carter and Ralph, with Carter's voice sounding a little strained at times.
Pray For The Boys is likewise credited to Carter and Ralph, but was actually written by Videt Richard Polk, and had been a popular number during WWII. It was first published in a Gospel songbook entitled 'Humble Hearts' in 1945.[1] During the Korean conflict, Flatt & Scruggs resurrected the song in 1952 and Ralph would later cut another version on his Pray For The Boys CD in late 1990, while US troops were preparing for action against the Iraqi forces in Kuwait. Polk was a noted Gospel singer, teacher and songwriter from Baton Rouge, La.[2]
Both sides of the single can now be found on The King Years, 1961-1965 4xCD box set.
For a detailed breakdown and background to the Stanley's sessions, check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book, pages 191-194 and 218-219.
| Track: |
Title: |
Time: |
Date: |
Original Release: |
Guitar: |
Banjo: |
Fiddle: |
Mandolin: |
Bass: |
Lead guitar: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 |
The End Of The Road |
02:16 |
08 Sep 1965 |
King 6023 | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
George Shuffler |
George Shuffler |
||
| C. Stanley / R. Stanley |
||||||||||
| B-1 |
Pray For The Boys |
02:33 |
20 Sep 1965 |
King 6023 | Carter Stanley |
Ralph Stanley |
George Shuffler |
George Shuffler |
||
| Videt Polk |
[1] Liner Notes to The Stanley Brothers - 'The King Years 1961-1965' (King KG-0950-2) 2003 and Flatt & Scruggs - 1948-1959 (Bear BCD 15472 DH) 1991.[2] Videt Polk memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=70522397