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.
Beyond the Sunset
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll live in memory's garden dear with happy days we've known
In spring I'll wait for roses red, when fades the lilacs bloom
And in early fall when brown leaves fall, I'll catch a glimpse of you
Each thing you've touched along the way, will be a hallowed spot
I'll hear your voice I'll see your smile though blindly I may grope
The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope
Beyond the sunset, oh blissful morning
When with our savior, heaven is begun
Earth's toiling ended, oh glory dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done
Should you go first and I remain, to finish with the scroll
No lessening shadows shall ever creep in to make this life seem droll
We've known so much of happiness, we've had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy
I want to know each step you take that I may walk the same
For someday down that lonely road, you'll hear me call your name
Should you go first and I remain, one thing I'll have you do
Walk slowly down that long long path, for soon I'll follow you
In that fair homeland, we'll know no parting
Beyond the sunset for ever more
Hank Williams's song Beyond the Sunset is a poignant tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The lyrics imply that the relationship between the two individuals was a deep and meaningful one that will never fade away. The imagery of "memory's garden" and "hallowed spot," conveys the idea that the memory of the loved one who has gone before will continue to be a source of inspiration, comfort, and strength. The singer makes a promise to follow in the footsteps of the departed, and ultimately be reunited with them beyond the sunset.
The second half of the song intensifies the message of hope beyond death. The "blissful morning" and "glory dawning" of heaven are depicted as a time of reunion that will make the hardships of life pale in comparison. In the last verse, the singer asks the departed to wait for them, as they will soon follow down the long path towards the fair homeland. The song speaks to the universal human experience of loss and the desire for a spiritual connection that transcends the physical realm.
Line by Line Meaning
Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone
If you die before me, and I have to walk this earth by myself
I'll live in memory's garden dear with happy days we've known
I'll remember all the happy moments we shared together
In spring I'll wait for roses red, when fades the lilacs bloom
During springtime, I'll wait for the red roses to bloom as the lilacs fade away
And in early fall when brown leaves fall, I'll catch a glimpse of you
In early autumn, as the brown leaves fall, I'll see a glimpse of you
Each thing you've touched along the way, will be a hallowed spot
Every place you've ever been will be sacred to me
I'll hear your voice I'll see your smile though blindly I may grope
Even if I can't see you or hear you, I'll imagine your voice and smile
The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope
I'll never forget the times you lent me a helping hand, and that memory will give me hope and strength
Beyond the sunset, oh blissful morning
There's a blissful morning beyond the sunset
When with our savior, heaven is begun
When we're with our savior, that's when heaven begins
Earth's toiling ended, oh glory dawning
When our toiling on earth is over, that's when glory will dawn
Beyond the sunset when day is done
After the sun sets, beyond that point
No lessening shadows shall ever creep in to make this life seem droll
There will be no shadows of sadness that could make life feel boring anymore
We've known so much of happiness, we've had our cup of joy
We've experienced so much happiness and joy
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy
Memory is a gift from God that death cannot take away
I want to know each step you take that I may walk the same
I want to follow your footsteps so that I can be just like you
For someday down that lonely road, you'll hear me call your name
One day when I'm alone on that road, I'll shout your name and you'll hear it
Should you go first and I remain, one thing I'll have you do
If you die before me, there's one thing I'll ask of you
Walk slowly down that long long path, for soon I'll follow you
Walk slowly on the path that leads to the afterlife, because soon I'll follow you
In that fair homeland, we'll know no parting
In that beautiful place, we won't ever have to say goodbye
Beyond the sunset for ever more
After the sunset, for all eternity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomasfawcett3204
Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone
I'll live in memory's garden dear with happy days we've known
In spring I'll wait for roses red, when fades the lilacs blue
And in early fall when brown leaves fall, I'll catch a glimpse of you
Should you go first and I remain, for battles to be fought
Each thing you've touched along the way, will be a hallowed spot
I'll hear your voice I'll see your smile though blindly I may grope
The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope
Beyond the sunset, oh blissful morning
When with our savior, heaven is begun
Earth's toiling ended, oh glory dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done
Should you go first and I remain, to finish with the scroll
No lessening shadows shall ever creep in to make this life seem droll
We've known so much of happiness, we've had our cup of joy
And memory is one gift of God that death cannot destroy
I want to know each step you take that I may walk the same
For someday down that lonely road, you'll hear me call your name
Should you go first and I remain, one thing I'll have you do
Walk slowly down that long long path, for soon I'll follow you
In that fair homeland, we'll know no parting
Beyond the sunset for ever more
@bertad.1555
I just heard this song for the first time. It was played for my Great Grandfather's funeral in 1966. I never met him but now feel connected to him because I enjoyed this song. Until we meet ❤ love you Popper!
@user-go6up2eb1p
I had the privilege of V. Brooke being in our church in Rives Junction, MI in the late 1970's and able to hear him sing this beautiful song he wrote, with his wife in 1939. The song is timeless.
@clendenenjames8804
JESUS HAS GONE BEFORE I HAVE, I HOPE THAT JESUS WILL REMEMBER ME 🙏
@genepuchi5612
I heard this at a funeral two weeks ago. My wife of 55+years passed away 5 months ago and when I heard it I could not stop crying..I play in her memory often. Thanks Hank for this moving song. Gene. Pgh Pa.
@lordelpus2099
So sorry for your loss.
@jameskilburn2618
When you have been married for 55 years, this has real meaning. Hard to imagine being alone.
@jasonking2943
My grandparents have been married 75 will be 76 in June and my grandfathet is spending his final hours in the hospital away from his bride due to covid restrictions. Very said just don't seem fair at all
@LydiLouiKats
My Husband Just Passed Away! 09.25.2022! We were married (50) years! I chose these words on the Prayer Card! I asked the Google Machine Who wrote those words I found out here obviously! I did not know it was a song! And like you said being married 55 years this song sure does have real meaning! And it's not easy being alone! 😥
@jweaver9242
When you have been together for 64 rears, memories are wonderful, but parting is so hard to do,it thank GOD , it’s only temporary!
@LonnaBaby
My grandma just lost her husband of 67 years.. she had the pastor play this at his funeral… i am praying … because she is very heartbroken ❤