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.
Calling You
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's trouble in your soul
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
When your soul is lost in sin
And you're at your journey's end
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
[Chorus]
Callin' you?, [callin' you?]
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
He will take you by the hand
Lead you to that promise land
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
As you journey day by day
And temptation comes your way
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
If you'll follow in his light
He will always guide you right
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
[Chorus]
When your soul is burdened down
And your friends can not be found
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
If you'll follow him each day
He will brighten up your way
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song "Calling You" are a powerful testament to the comforting presence of religion in times of trouble. The song addresses people who have "strayed from the fold" and feel lost, alone, and burdened by sin. In these moments, the "blessed savior" calls out to them, seeking to guide them back onto the right path.
The chorus repeats the question "Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?" as a way to reinforce the message that no matter how far one has strayed or how burdened one's soul might be, the savior is always present and ready to help. The lyrics also suggest that following the savior's guidance can bring one to a place of greater clarity and purpose, symbolized by the promise land.
Overall, "Calling You" is a song that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost, alone, and uncertain. Through its message of hope and guidance, the song offers a comforting reminder that, even in difficult times, we are never truly alone.
Line by Line Meaning
When you've strayed from the fold
When you've lost your way and feel disconnected from your faith community
And there's trouble in your soul
And you're feeling internal turmoil and conflict
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you hear the divine call to return and embrace your faith?
When your soul is lost in sin
When you feel consumed by immoral behavior or thoughts
And you're at your journey's end
And you feel like you have reached a dead end
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you hear the divine call to change your ways and seek redemption?
[Chorus]
Refrain
He will take you by the hand
The divine force will lead and guide you
Lead you to that promise land
Lead you towards a better future or afterlife
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you see the hope and salvation that awaits you?
As you journey day by day
As you go through each day of your life
And temptation comes your way
And you face temptation or moral challenges
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you sense the divine guidance and support available to you?
If you'll follow in his light
If you'll embrace and follow the divine path
He will always guide you right
The divine force will guide you towards righteousness and virtue
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you sense the divine support and encouragement that surrounds you?
[Chorus]
Refrain
When your soul is burdened down
When you feel weighed down by the challenges and hardships of life
And your friends can not be found
And you feel isolated and alone
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you sense the divine presence and comfort that is available to you?
If you'll follow him each day
If you'll make a commitment to follow the divine path every day
He will brighten up your way
The divine force will bring light and hope into your life
Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?
Can't you feel the divine beckoning and encouragement to stay true to your faith?
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER HARTMANN, JAN LANGHOFF, RENE DIF, CLAUS NORREEN, SOREN RASTED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@get__some
When you've strayed from the fold
And there's trouble in your soul
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
When your soul is lost in sin
And you're at your journey's end
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
Callin' You?, (Callin' You?)
Callin' You?, (Callin' You?)
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
He will take you by the hand
Lead you to that promise land
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
As you journey day by day
And temptation comes your way
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
If you'll follow in His light
He will always guide you right
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
Callin' You?, (Callin' You?)
Callin' You?, (Callin' You?)
When your soul is burdened down
And your friend(s) can not be found
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You?
If you'll follow Him each day
He will brighten up your way
Can't you hear the Blessed Saviour Callin' You
@pastrydestr0yer482
The The autumn wind had increased in the past couple days. The leaves had changed many shades of orange, yellow and reds leaving the town looking absolutely stunning.
The day had started off warm, but as the day progressed it gradually grew cold due to the wind that had plagued itself in the small dainty town of Godrics Hollow.
(OK I'm trying my best to not make this a Wizarding story but I can't help t, I'm so sorry.)
Victoire sat at the fountain that was in the middle of the town looking down to her reflection that so blankly stared back at her. She had soft strawberry blonde hair with loyal blue colored eyes. She had such a small figure, she hated it because she had always gotten teased for it when she had gone to school. Compared to the other girls, she was always the smallest. Although she was quite cunning and mischievous, that didn't get her noticed in the first place. She had barely competed with anyone in her life, but she was convinced to try out for her house team in the game of Quiddich. Victoire had smiled softly at the thought of her first Quiddich game, winning the house cup for her fellow Gryffindor house mates. They loved her.
She shivered as another gust of wind had picked up. She buttoned up her jacket and stood up, looking around at the small village town she had lived in since the war had ended. She stayed with the one and only Harry James Potter and his lovely fiancée Ginerva Molly Weasly, almost Potter, just a few more weeks until the big wedding.
The two lovely couple had accepted Victoire to stay with them until she had found a job at the ministry, and through that time the two girls were busy talking wedding, dragging Mr. Potter and Ginny's older brother, Ronald to several stores and venues for their big day. After that Victoire had suggested Ginny have a fall wedding, for it would suit her nicely.
She looked at her phone, and picked up her small backpack and gave the road one more good look before apparating away from there for good, so she thinks.
》》》》《《《《
"Please copy the text on the board Miss Ollivander." The Professor ordered. Victoire snapped her head back to her Professors attention and nodded obediently and looked down to her blank paper and blushed profusely.
"While I have your attention, Miss. Ollivander, I must ask you were is your last name's origin? It's definitely uncommon to hear." Her professor mused.
Victoire cleared her throat quietly and looked up shyly to her Professors smug looking face. "My family is from Great Britain. " she had barely whispered it. "It's and old name, but it's definitely Uncommon."
"I see." Her professor said. The lecture hall, and the other people in there looked at Victoire with more interest, knowing this small fact about the so, so shy girl. "And, you bare a french name, being from Great Britain. "
"My mum was from France, she insisted she named me Victoire, but growing up I had always preferred my middle name, Andromeda. " The shy girl responded. "My father had a thing for constellations, and when he had learnt my mother was carrying his child he chose to middle name me Andromeda, his name was Cygnus Black. After I was born, both my parents died and I was adopted into the Ollivander family. So if my real parents hadn't died, I would've been a Black, instead of an Ollivander."
Victoire hadn't spoken about her real parents to any of her Hogwarts professors, and for some odd reason she had blurted all this to her university professor who had seemed to irk Victoire with her criticising tone of voice.
"Well then, Miss. Ollivander, you must know a lot about constellations if your father was so obsessed with them"
Victoire's blood boiled with rage, hearing the way her professor was speaking to her. She had nearly whipped her wand out, but had held back on the urge and remained calm, staring back at her professor. The Gryffindor Pride had slipped out and was showing, the proud lioness had to defend herself, for her "lion king" was nowhere to be found.
"I have no interest in studying constellations Professor. " she spat. Victoire's blood boiled with rage, hearing the way her professor was speaking to her. She had nearly whipped her wand out, but had held back on the urge and remained calm, staring back at her professor. The Gryffindor Pride had slipped out and was showing, the proud lioness had to defend herself, for her "lion king" was nowhere to be found. "I have no interest in studying constellations Professor. " she spat. "But if I did, I surely wouldn't share whatever knowledge I have it of with you, so if you'll excuse me I'll be leaving now." She huffed and stood up, gathering her things and shoving them into her bag. Everyone looked at her speechless for bursting out to the professor. It was obvious the lady was trying to get a rise out of the young girl, and like a true Gryffindor, she had stood up for herself and left the room. "Andromeda was the princess of Ethiopia." Someone spoke. Victoire stopped before she reached the door and looked back at the boy. The one she had been staring at throughout the entire lecture. He was tall, had beautiful grey blue eyes, and was fairly attractive for a muggle. The two of them had started a small staring contest and she hadn't given up on it yet, neither had he. The way he looked at her after he spoke was almost apologetic. "Daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, small coincidence don't you think victoire?" The autumn wind had increased in the past couple days. The leaves had changed many shades of orange, yellow and reds leaving the town looking absolutely stunning.
The day had started off warm, but as the day progressed it gradually grew cold due to the wind that had plagued itself in the small dainty town of Godrics Hollow.
(OK I'm trying my best to not make this a Wizarding story but I can't help t, I'm so sorry.)
Victoire sat at the fountain that was in the middle of the town looking down to her reflection that so blankly stared back at her. She had soft strawberry blonde hair with loyal blue colored eyes. She had such a small figure, she hated it because she had always gotten teased for it when she had gone to school. Compared to the other girls, she was always the smallest. Although she was quite cunning and mischievous, that didn't get her noticed in the first place. She had barely competed with anyone in her life, but she was convinced to try out for her house team in the game of Quiddich. Victoire had smiled softly at the thought of her first Quiddich game, winning the house cup for her fellow Gryffindor house mates. They loved her.
She shivered as another gust of wind had picked up. She buttoned up her jacket and stood up, looking around at the small village town she had lived in since the war had ended. She stayed with the one and only Harry James Potter and his lovely fiancée Ginerva Molly Weasly, almost Potter, just a few more weeks until the big wedding.
The two lovely couple had accepted Victoire to stay with them until she had found a job at the ministry, and through that time the two girls were busy talking wedding, dragging Mr. Potter and Ginny's older brother, Ronald to several stores and venues for their big day. After that Victoire had suggested Ginny have a fall wedding, for it would suit her nicely.
She looked at her phone, and picked up her small backpack and gave the road one more good look before apparating away from there for good, so she thinks.
》》》》《《《《
"Please copy the text on the board Miss Ollivander." The Professor ordered. Victoire snapped her head back to her Professors attention and nodded obediently and looked down to her blank paper and blushed profusely.
"While I have your attention, Miss. Ollivander, I must ask you were is your last name's origin? It's definitely uncommon to hear." Her professor mused.
Victoire cleared her throat quietly and looked up shyly to her Professors smug looking face. "My family is from Great Britain. " she had barely whispered it. "It's and old name, but it's definitely Uncommon."
"I see." Her professor said. The lecture hall, and the other people in there looked at Victoire with more interest, knowing this small fact about the so, so shy girl. "And, you bare a french name, being from Great Britain. "
"My mum was from France, she insisted she named me Victoire, but growing up I had always preferred my middle name, Andromeda. " The shy girl responded. "My father had a thing for constellations, and when he had learnt my mother was carrying his child he chose to middle name me Andromeda, his name was Cygnus Black. After I was born, both my parents died and I was adopted into the Ollivander family. So if my real parents hadn't died, I would've been a Black, instead of an Ollivander."
Victoire hadn't spoken about her real parents to any of her Hogwarts professors, and for some odd reason she had blurted all this to her university professor who had seemed to irk Victoire with her criticising tone of voice.
"Well then, Miss. Ollivander, you must know a lot about constellations if your father was so obsessed with them"
Victoire's blood boiled with rage, hearing the way her professor was speaking to her. She had nearly whipped her wand out, but had held back on the urge and remained calm, staring back at her professor. The Gryffindor Pride had slipped out and was showing, the proud lioness had to defend herself, for her "lion king" was nowhere to be found.
"I have no interest in studying constellations Professor. " she spat.
@krazyblueguy93
This song is the best memory I have as being a kid in a small native reserve, I grew up in a small town where everyone idolized Hank Williams Sr. When me and my grandfather would go on road trips we would always have a stock of old country music such as Hank, george jones, and johnny cash, those were the good days. What i wouldn't give to relive those days. Thanks for uploading :)
@izzylegarde2887
Me too
@josephwrichard2643
Which Reserve, If u don't mind me askin'
@dellolasalle9546
Pure country gold
@hastyhillfarmand4x480
My grandpa was obsessed with Hank, he used to sing at his church and would do Hank songs, I still have some cassette tapes of him singing Hank Williams.
@ChrisMorris-dq6ti
I'm a huge fan of HANK WILLIAMS SR
@mariemccarter6412
I'm 74 and I remember singing this song in church, Oh what beautiful gospel music👋👋❤
@ethelgillis409
Love that song. I am a negro, but I listen to Hank sang many songs that i liked.
@user-fs1gd6iy1u
Hank Williams is an American treasure!
@toddgeffken1915
This song started me thinking about how much I missed Jesus in my life , he and Johny Cash were both on a portable hard drive of music I borrowed, I wasn't even into country really, but I loved this song and now many of Hank Sr. and Johnny Cash's gospel tunes are my very favorite gospel songs. These guys had to have some love for The Lord to sing about him the way they did!