Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.
My Way
Hank Snow Lyrics
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And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did all the things that I had to do
And I saw them all through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Hank Snow's "My Way" is a song that essentially captures the spirit of living life autonomously, and the lyrics convey the outlook of a person who has achieved his goals through hard work and perseverance. The lyrics use the metaphor of a final curtain to illustrate that the end of life has arrived, and the singer is ready to accept it gracefully. Furthermore, the singer claims that he has led a complete life, traveled extensively, and did everything his way. Despite occasional doubts, the singer had the courage to face each obstacle with grit and determination.
The song reveals that the singer never relied on others for guidance or wisdom, and he had no regrets because he accomplished everything he had planned. The lyrics also emphasize on being independent and authentic, which is the fundamental message of this song. The singer notes that a person's achievements are dependent on whether they stayed true to themselves or succumbed to the pressure of conformity. Thus, the song's main message is to have faith in oneself and follow one's heart without giving in to pressure from others.
Line by Line Meaning
And now, the end is near
The end of my life is approaching.
And so I face the final curtain
I am preparing to face the inevitable end of my life.
My friend, I'll say it clear
I want to be honest with you.
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I will explain what I have done in my life with conviction.
I've lived a life that's full
I have experienced life to the fullest.
I traveled each and every highway
I have gone on many journeys.
And more, much more than this
Additionally, there are many other things I have done.
I did it my way
Every decision I have made was done according to my own judgement.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
I am sure you knew there were times when I struggled.
When I bit off more than I could chew
I sometimes attempted more difficult tasks than I could handle.
But through it all, when there was doubt
Despite uncertainty at times, I persevered.
I ate it up and spit it out
I dealt with challenges head-on and overcame them.
I faced it all and I stood tall
I confronted everything that came my way with confidence.
And did it my way
I did everything according to my personal judgement and standards.
Regrets, I've had a few
There are some things in my life that I wish had gone differently.
But then again, too few to mention
However, the number of regrets I have is small and insignificant.
I did all the things that I had to do
I accomplished everything that I felt was necessary.
And I saw them all through without exemption
I saw every task and duty to completion without giving up.
I planned each charted course
I carefully planned each step I took in life.
Each careful step along the byway
Every step I took was purposeful and thought-out.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I have experienced every emotion possible.
I've had my fill, my share of losing
I have faced my fair share of defeats.
And now, tears subside
I have overcome my emotional suffering.
I find it all so amusing
I see the humor in the ups and downs of life.
To think I did all that
I am amazed that I accomplished everything I did.
And may I say, not in a shy way
I want to make it clear that I am not being modest.
Oh no, oh no, not me
I refuse to be anything but true to myself.
I did it my way
Every accomplishment I made was done on my own terms.
For what is a man, what has he got?
What is the meaning of life and what do we truly have in the end?
If not himself, then he has naught
Without being true to oneself, life has no value.
To say the things he truly feels
It is important to always speak one's true thoughts and emotions.
And not the words of one who kneels
Rather than conforming to others' expectations, speak as an equal.
The record shows I took the blows
My life experiences have been trying, but I persevered.
And did it my way
I accomplished everything in life by adhering to my own principles.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS
Written by: Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux, Paul Anka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Nuedling
I am really enjoying this! Thank you so much for posting! 😃
Rebecca D
Great songs from Hank Snow.
Have a blessed day James T Jordan.