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.
Swing Wide Your Gate of Love
Hank Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writers Hank Thompson, S. Nathan
Swing wide your gate of love, open wide up your heart
I knew when I first met you that you'd be my sweetheart
Swing wide your gate of love and please don't let me fall
I know you're gonna love me after all
(Chorus)Swing wide the gate and leave it open
Towards the center of your heart I'll be bound
And I'll mend the heart that has been broken
I'm not the kind of guy to let you down
So, swing wide your gate of love, open it for me
For you are the one I want, my darlin', can't you see
Make up your mind to like me and to be my turtledove
I love you, so swing wide your gate of love
(Repeat chorus)
(Repeat last verse)
The lyrics to Hank Thompson's "Swing Wide Your Gate of Love" speak to the hope and vulnerability that come with falling in love. The singer pleads with his love interest to open herself up to him, to "swing wide" the barriers around her heart and let him in. He assures her that he won't let her down and that he'll work to mend any past hurts she may have experienced. He urges her to make up her mind to be with him and to take a chance on love.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of opening one's heart to love, using the metaphor of a gate. The singer wants his love interest to not only open the gate, but to leave it open so that he can come in and make himself at home in her heart. He's confident that if given the chance, he can make her happy and prove his worth as a partner.
Overall, "Swing Wide Your Gate of Love" is a romantic and optimistic song about the power of love to transform lives. It encourages listeners to take a chance on love, to open themselves up to the possibility of connection and intimacy, and to trust that the right partner will come along.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing wide your gate of love, open wide up your heart
Open yourself up to me, let me in.
I knew when I first met you that you'd be my sweetheart
From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me.
Swing wide your gate of love and please don't let me fall
Let me into your heart and don't break my heart.
I know you're gonna love me after all
I have faith that you will eventually love me.
Swing wide the gate and leave it open towards the center of your heart I'll be bound
Open your heart to me and I will be loyal, loving, and devoted to you.
And I'll mend the heart that has been broken
I will heal any pain you have felt in the past.
I'm not the kind of guy to let you down
I am reliable and trustworthy, you can count on me.
So, swing wide your gate of love, open it for me
Open up to me, let me in, trust me with your heart.
For you are the one I want, my darlin', can't you see
You are the one I love and desire, I hope you feel the same.
Make up your mind to like me and to be my turtledove
Decide to love me and be my partner for life.
I love you, so swing wide your gate of love
I love you so much, please let me in and give me a chance.
Lyrics © ERNEST TUBB MUSIC, INC.
Written by: ERROL THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pentagonshark666
Hank is one the greatest country and blues singers of all.
@tommywood343
What a beautiful song by the great Hank Williams R.I.P the hillbilly Shakespeare ❤
@judyanderson6640
Beautiful song, beautiful voice It's like I've stumbled onto a treasure chest of gems when I haven't heard it before. Ty
@waderaney7
A 👍song from a Treasured Guy🙏
@johnmaidment6728
Never Heard This One Before Thank You
@AlanPaladin
I bought it brand new, on a new (Hank Release) cassette tape, back in 1992 or 1993. The name of the cassette is - There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby.
@mrmjb1960
This Album now only available as a Mp3 Download on Google Play and Amazon.
@mrmjb1960
The Mp3 Download runs slower in beat than this one,sadly.
@ilvescuso5538
You can find the vinyl on amazon!
@AlanPaladin
I have been wondering if anyone else might post it Myself. (Blue Eyes) I had hoped someone would. I'm a little leary of posting to many of Hank's Songs, I don't want to offend any Record Company's and have them come down hard on Me. Perhaps I'll take a chance and post it later. Alan