Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Willi… Read Full Bio ↴Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.

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 Tramp On The Street
Hank Williams Lyrics

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Only a tramp was Lazarus sad fate
He who lay down at the rich mans gate
He begged for the crumbs from the rich man to eat
He was only a tramp found dead on the street

He was some mothers darlin'
He was some mothers son
Once he was fair and once he was young

And some mother rocked him, her darlin' to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street

Jesus, he died on Calvary's tree
He shed his life's blood for you and for me
They pierced his side and then his feet
And they left him to die like a tramp on the street

He was Mary's own darlin', he was gods chosen son
Once he was fair and once he was young
Mary, she rocked him, her darlin' to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street

If Jesus should come and knock on your door
For a place to come in, or bread from your store
Would you welcome him in
Or turn him away

And then God would deny you
On the great judgement day

Overall Meaning

Hank Williams's song "A Tramp On The Street" tells the tragic story of a man named Lazarus who was a beggar and "only a tramp." The singer notes that Lazarus used to lay at the rich man's gate and begged for crumbs to eat. The song then reflects on how it was a sad fate that Lazarus was found dead on the street, as he was someone's darling and their son. Although he was once fair and young and had a mother who rocked him to sleep, he was left to die like a tramp on the street.

The song also draws parallels to the story of Jesus Christ, who was crucified on Calvary's tree and shed his blood for humanity. The singer notes that they pierced Jesus's side and his feet and left him to die like a tramp on the street. Like Lazarus, Jesus was someone's darling and God's chosen son. Mary, his mother, rocked him to sleep, but he too was left to die in a similar manner.

In the final verse, the song asks the listener to consider whether they would welcome Jesus into their home or turn him away. It warns that if they turn him away, "God would deny you on the great judgement day." Overall, the song is a powerful and poignant reflection on the tragic fates of those who find themselves alone and destitute, as well as a reminder of the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion.

A Tramp On The StreetHank Williams Lyrics

A Tramp On The Street
Hank Williams Lyrics