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.
A Home in Heaven
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Homes of beauty and wealth
But what of a home in heaven
Where will you live after death
Are you building a home in heaven
To live in when this life is o'er
Will you move to that beautiful city
Long is the road that leads you
To that beautiful home up there
Is work on your home completed
Death may be lingering near
Are you building a home in heaven
To live in when this life is o'er
Will you move to that beautiful city
And live with Christ ever more
Are you ready for his coming
Have you been true all along
Have you finished your building in glory
Will you move to this heavenly home
Are you building a home in heaven
To live in when this life is o'er
Will you move to that beautiful city
And live with Christ ever more
"A Home in Heaven" is a hymn by Hank Williams that addresses the question of what kind of home each person is building. The opening verses contrast the homes that people build on earth with the home that awaits them in heaven. The song uses the concept of building a home as a metaphor for the spiritual work of living a fulfilling existence that prepares one for an afterlife with Christ. The lyrics are a call to contemplate the nature of one's legacy, and to focus on the eternal, rather than the material.
The song suggests that preparing for the afterlife is a lifelong process that requires effort and a certain amount of sacrifice. The lyrics express that it is better to focus on building a home in heaven rather than simply accumulating wealth and possessions on earth. The bridge emphasizes the importance of being prepared for death and focusing on one's spiritual development. The song reminds listeners that they will face judgement after they die and that the quality of their life will determine whether they will find themselves in heaven or hell.
Line by Line Meaning
Around me many are building
Many people around me are focused on building homes of beauty and wealth.
Homes of beauty and wealth
These homes are designed to be not only beautiful, but also a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
But what of a home in heaven
Despite the focus on earthly homes, what about the possibility of a heavenly home after death?
Where will you live after death
What will happen to you after you die? Will you have a home in heaven to live in?
Are you building a home in heaven
Are you actively working towards having a home in heaven to live in after your life on earth is over?
To live in when this life is o'er
The home in heaven is intended to be a place to live after the end of your life on earth.
Will you move to that beautiful city
Will you be able to move to the beautiful city in heaven, which is promised to Christians in the Bible?
And live with Christ ever more
Living in this city will mean living eternally in the presence of Christ, according to the Christian belief system.
Long is the road that leads you
The journey to reach this home in heaven is lengthy and difficult, requiring a great deal of effort and dedication.
To that beautiful home up there
The ultimate goal of this journey is to reach the beautiful home waiting in heaven.
Is work on your home completed
Have you put in the necessary work to ensure that your home in heaven will be ready for you when you get there?
Death may be lingering near
Death can come at any time, and it's important to be prepared for what comes next.
Are you ready for his coming
Are you prepared for the return of Christ, which is expected in Christian theology?
Have you been true all along
Have you lived your life in a way that is in accordance with Christian teachings and values?
Have you finished your building in glory
Have you completed the work necessary to ensure that you will have a glorious home waiting for you in heaven?
Will you move to this heavenly home
If you have lived your life in the right way, you can look forward to moving to your heavenly home after death.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind