Thompson's musical style, characterized as Honky Tonk Swing, is a mixture of big-band instrumentation, fiddle and steel guitar that supports his distinctive, gravelly baritone vocals on songs he often writes himself. His backing band, The Brazos Valley Boys, was voted the No.1 Country Western Band for 14 years in a row by Billboard Magazine.
He decided to pursue his musical talent after serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a radioman and studying electrical engineering at the university level. His first single was "Whoa Sailor" in 1946. The year 1952 brought his first #1 disc, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels" (which inspired the Kitty Wells response, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"). Other hits followed in quick succession in the 1950s and 1960s. Although not as prominent in later decades, he has remained an active and respected performer in the field, finding new audiences as a result of the resurgence of a harder-edged sound in country music.
Hank Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He was born 3 September 1925 in Waco, Texas, and passed away at home in Keller, Texas, on 6 November 2007, just four days after cancelling his final tour.
At The Rainbow's End
Hank Thompson Lyrics
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No friends no home I'm just a traveling alone on my way to the rainbow's end
I'm weary and tired but I don't care I'm going down to the rainbow's end
From twilight till dawn I'm trudging on and on, on my way to the rainbow's end
They say there are treasures of silver and gold
That's buried down by the rainbow's end
But the treasure I find will bring me real peace of mind
When I come to the rainbow's endFor someone is waiting there all alone so I will know at the rainbow's end
How it feels to be pressed to an angel's breast when I come to the rainbow's end
The lyrics of Hank Thompson's song "At The Rainbow's End" tells the story of a man who has traveled the world and is now heading towards the mythical place known as the rainbow's end. He is alone, without friends or home, but he does not mind because he is determined to reach his destination. Despite being exhausted, he keeps pushing on, from twilight till dawn. He has heard of treasures of silver and gold that are supposedly buried at the rainbow's end, but he claims that the treasure he seeks is much more valuable. At the end of the rainbow, he hopes to find someone waiting for him, someone who will give him "real peace of mind." It is suggested that this person is an angel, as the man speaks of being "pressed to an angel's breast" when he arrives at the rainbow's end.
The song appears to be about seeking happiness or contentment, and coming to the realization that material riches are not what truly matters. The man's journey to the rainbow's end is a metaphorical one, representing the search for inner peace and love. He is willing to push through the weariness and hardships because he believes that at the end of his journey, he will find someone who will make everything worth it. The lyrics also evoke a sense of romanticism, with the image of the man being embraced by an angel. Overall, "At The Rainbow's End" is a moving and thoughtful song about the quest for meaning and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've traveled this whole world over and now I'm going down to the rainbow's end
After an extensive journey around the world, I am now headed towards the end of the rainbow.
No friends no home I'm just a traveling alone on my way to the rainbow's end
I have no company or permanent abode; I am a mere wanderer on my path to the rainbow's end.
I'm weary and tired but I don't care I'm going down to the rainbow's end
Despite my exhaustion and fatigue, I am determined to reach the end of the rainbow.
From twilight till dawn I'm trudging on and on, on my way to the rainbow's end
Without rest, I am doggedly marching on from evening to morning, making my way to the end of the rainbow.
They say there are treasures of silver and gold That's buried down by the rainbow's end
There is a legend that speaks of valuable treasures hidden near the end of the rainbow.
But the treasure I find will bring me real peace of mind When I come to the rainbow's end
I am not seeking material wealth, but a discovery that will provide me with genuine mental satisfaction and calmness when I reach the end of the rainbow.
For someone is waiting there all alone so I will know at the rainbow's end
A solitary individual is waiting for me at the end of the rainbow, and by encountering them, I hope to learn something important.
How it feels to be pressed to an angel's breast when I come to the rainbow's end
By reaching the end of the rainbow, I will experience the feeling of being embraced by an angel, which is what I truly seek.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB NOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grayburst
Love this old song.