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.
California Zephyr
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Colorado and Nevada through the deserts burnin' door
While she's circlin' through the canyons, can't you see that mountain stream
It's the California Zephyr, the Union Pacific queen.
See her rockin', see her rollin' as she rambles on her way
She left L.Aa. this mornin' burnin' up the right of way
In the distance hear her moanin', hear her lonesome whistle screamIt's the California Zephyr, the Union Pacific queen.
She leaves the city of the angels headin' for ole Santa Fe
She's a makin' nauts, she's makin' time just watch her swing and sway
And from way out in the darkness, see that headlight gleam
It's the California Zephyr, the Union Pacific queen.
From the great salt lakes of Utah to California's golden shore
Colorado and Nevada through the deserts burnin' door
While she's circlin' through the canyons, can't you see that mountain stream
It's the California Zephyr, the Union Pacific queen...
The song "California Zephyr" by Hank Williams describes a journey on the Union Pacific Railroad's luxurious passenger train, the California Zephyr, which ran from 1949 to 1970. The lyrics take the listener on a journey through the western United States from Utah's Great Salt Lakes to California's golden shores, passing through Colorado and Nevada, and navigating through the canyons and deserts of the region. The train's lonesome whistle can be heard echoing through the mountains as it speeds along the tracks.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the train's power and beauty as it snakes through the breathtaking landscape of the American West. The California Zephyr was known for its luxurious amenities, including gourmet dining cars, observation lounges, and private sleeping compartments. This song captures the excitement and wonder of a cross-country train journey during the golden age of rail travel.
Overall, Hank Williams's "California Zephyr" is a celebration of the romance and adventure of travel by rail, and a testament to the vastness and beauty of the American wilderness.
Line by Line Meaning
From the Great Salt Lakes of Utah
Starting the journey from the Great Salt Lakes in Utah
To California's golden shore
Ending the journey at California's coast
Colorado and Nevada
Passing through the states of Colorado and Nevada
Through the deserts burnin' door
Travelling through scorching deserts
While she's circlin' through the canyons
As the train navigates through the corners of canyons
Can't you see that mountain stream
A vision of the mountain stream appears through the window of the train
It's the California Zephyr
This is the train, California Zephyr
The Union Pacific Queen
The pride of the Union Pacific line, the California Zephyr
See her rockin' see her rollin'
The train is moving steadily
As she rambles on her way
As the train moves forward on its path
She left L.A. this mornin'
The journey began from Los Angeles in the morning
Burnin' up the right of way
The train is moving quickly and efficiently along its designated route
In the distance hear her moanin'
The train's whistle can be heard from a distance
Hear her lonesome whistle scream
The sound of the whistle can be heard mournfully
She leaves the city of the angels
The train departs from Los Angeles, sometimes called the 'city of angels'
Headin' for ole Santa Fe
The destination of the train is Santa Fe
She's a makin' nauts, she's makin' time
The train is moving at a steady pace
Just watch her swing and sway
Observing the train as it moves back and forth
And from way out in the darkness
Far away in the distance
See that headlight gleam
You can see the light from the train's headlight
It's the California Zephyr
That light belongs to the train, California Zephyr
The Union Pacific Queen
The train, queen of the Union Pacific line, is making its journey from Utah to California
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BuffaloBob73
Hank had great foresight! The California Zephyr now operates on the Union Pacific! Shows you what a genius he was. 😁 😁 😁
@LaptopLarry330
Hank Williams wrote this song, with the intention to record it as a single. But he never lived long enough to do so, making this "Unreleased Recording" a rarity, and a special treat for all Hank Williams fans. It was Williams' attempt to bring "train songs" back into popularity in Country music, by singing about the Union Pacific Railroad's best vacation and tour train, which still runs today.
@1957greybeard
+Larry Ressler Sorry Larry, but this song is full of poetic license. The California Zephyr was not a Union Pacific train and it did not go to LA or Santa Fe. It ran from Chicago to the Bay Area over three different railroads, and UP was not one of them.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but it is not historically accurate. If you doubt me, google it.
@JosephStalin1941
He sang Dixie Cannonball too
@happyharpersgaming2357
And Pan American, ol log train. Rip Hank
@BertilSahlin-t6z
jag har haft den på stenkaka 78 varv
@Denny_Dymes
I wish Hank Williams lived a much longer time than he did. I would have loved to go see him in concert live.
@AlanHamilton-yt5oh
More people should here this.Hank.What talent.Blessed
@maggie0285
Downloading this for my Zephyr trip!
@henry44mag.26
one of the best train songs ever wrote