Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
Lonesome Whistle
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heading south from Caroline
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
Got in trouble, had to roam
Left my gal an' left my home
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I went and broke my darling's heart
I guess I was too young to know
They took me off the Georgia Main
Locked me to a ball and chain
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All alone, I bear the shame
I'm a number, not a name
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
All I do is sit an' cry
When the evening train goes by
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I'll be locked here in this cell
'Till my body's just a shell
An' my hair turns whiter than snow
I'll never see that gal of mine
Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
The lyrics of "Lonesome Whistle" by Hank Williams describe the sorrowful and regretful thoughts of a prisoner heading south on a train. As the train whistle blows, it reminds the prisoner of his past mistakes and lost love. He left his home and girlfriend, thinking he was acting smart, but quickly got into trouble and ended up behind bars, with nothing but his own shame and loneliness for company.
The lyrics deliver a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, as the prisoner is forced to confront the consequences of his actions. The lonesome whistle becomes a symbol of his own isolation and despair, as he listens to the sound of passing trains, knowing that he will never be able to reclaim his old life, or be with the woman he loves.
Overall, "Lonesome Whistle" is a poignant and moving song about regret, lost opportunities, and the high price of youthful recklessness. It highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and being mindful of the consequences of one's choices, before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
I was riding Number Nine
I was aboard a train called Number Nine
Heading south from Caroline
I was on my way south from a place called Caroline
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I heard the sad, plaintive sound of a train's whistle in the distance
Got in trouble, had to roam
I got into some trouble and had to leave my usual surroundings
Left my gal an' left my home
I left my girlfriend and my home behind
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I heard the same sad train whistle again
Just a kid, acting smart
I was a young boy trying to act grown up and wise
I went and broke my darling's heart
I hurt my loved one's feelings and caused her pain
I guess I was too young to know
I probably didn't realize the full impact of my actions due to my young age
They took me off the Georgia Main
I was removed from the Georgia Main, a main railway line in Georgia, USA
Locked me to a ball and chain
I was imprisoned and restrained with a heavy metal ball and chain around my leg
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I heard the same train whistle again, reminding me of my imprisonment and loneliness
All alone, I bear the shame
I am completely alone with the burden of my guilt
I'm a number, not a name
In prison, I am reduced to a mere number rather than being recognized as an individual
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
The train whistle serves as an eerie reminder of my confinement
All I do is sit an' cry
All I am able to do is sit and weep
When the evening train goes by
When the train passes by in the evening
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
I hear that same mournful train whistle again and again
I'll be locked here in this cell
I will be imprisoned in this cell for a long time
'Till my body's just a shell
Until my physical body is broken and withered away from being confined for so long
An' my hair turns whiter than snow
My hair will eventually turn completely white from my long years in captivity
I'll never see that gal of mine
I will never be able to see my beloved girlfriend again
Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time
Oh God, I am in Georgia serving my sentence
I heard that lonesome whistle blow
The sad train whistle continues to haunt me even as I serve my sentence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmie Davis, Hank Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bxtchbear2960
I grew up on hank (I’m 26). Something about his voice and rhythm makes me so emotional yet happy. Music really doesn’t get much better than this. Sad we lost such an amazing soul so young.
@craigsellier5973
I believe that's how old he was when he passed 26 something like your age. Young man.
@nullobject7966
@@craigsellier597329, but yeah, far, far too young
@MB-vu3ow
I grew up on Hank, too. I’m 75. Sometimes I hesitate putting on some of his songs because I know I’ll start bawling. He can bring emotions right to the surface. Never fails.
@MB-vu3ow
I grew up on Hank, too. I’m 75. Sometimes I hesitate putting on some of his songs because I know I’ll start bawling. He can bring emotions right to the surface. Never fails.
@weirdscience1
Check out Oliver Anthony.
@StonedMeadowOfDoom
This song is truly a masterpiece. One of MANY from Hank
@TheYoYoHobo
Whenever I hear ole' Hank, I hear the pain inside. He's crying out. It's magical and yet heartbreaking at the same time.
@wakedandbaked2765
Exactly, and most people only hear the musical part
@cadenbariekman8851
True man! David Allan cows quotes he can play every hank Williams song but I don’t know I think I can too