Mother's Only Sleeping
The Stanley Brothers · Other Songs - The Stanley Brothers
Just patiently waiting for Jesus to come
The birds will be singing while Mother is sleeping
They will sing o'er as the grave sinks away
Well I left my old home way back in the mountains
For mother and father had both passed away
We followed our mother up to the graveyard
For mother was called to heaven that day
Oh how we miss her around the old home place
Everything seems so lonesome since she went away
Mother is sleeping way back the mountains
Yes mother is sleeping way back in the hills
About Mother's Only Sleeping
The Stanley Brothers' "Mother's Only Sleeping" stands as a poignant example of their mastery in traditional Appalachian folk and bluegrass. Recorded in the late 1950s, the track showcases the duo's signature harmonies and the driving acoustic guitar work that defined their sound. The song reflects the deep emotional resonance characteristic of their discography, often exploring themes of family, faith, and the passage of time. As a staple of their catalog, it captures the raw authenticity of rural American music, blending storytelling with intricate instrumental arrangements. The piece remains a significant contribution to the genre's legacy, illustrating how the brothers elevated folk traditions through their unique vocal interplay and rhythmic precision.