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.
From Jerusalem to Jericho
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A certain man was set upon and robbed of all his gold.
They beat him and they stripped him, and they left him there for dead.
Who was it then that come along and bathed the aching head?
Then who (then who), tell me who (tell me who),
Tell me who was this neighbor kind and true?
From Jerusalem to Jericho we're traveling every day, And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a certain priest come by,
He heard the poor man crying, but he heeded not the cry.
He gathered his robes about him and he quickly passed away.
Who was it then that come along and ministered that day?
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a Levite came along,
He heard the poor man crying, that lie upon the ground.
He lifted his hands up to the heavens and he quickly passed him by.
Who was it then that came along and heeded that needy cry?
From Jerusalem to Jericho, when life was ebbing away,
Along come that Samaritan who was despised, they say.
He ministered to the dying man, he carried him to an inn.
He paid his fare and told the host to take good care of him.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a-traveling every day,
And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way.
Oh, some despised and some rejected, but it's no matter how they've been,
When everybody turns you down, then Jesus takes you in.
Hank Williams’s “From Jerusalem to Jericho” is a retelling of a Biblical parable found in Luke 10:25-37. In this parable, a man is robbed and left for dead on a long and lonely road, and is then abandoned by two religious figures who pass him by. However, a Samaritan, a foreigner and social outcast, is the one who comes to the man's aid, tending to his wounds and paying for him to stay at an inn. The song emphasizes the importance of helping those in need and the idea that anyone can be a neighbor, no matter their status or background.
Williams's song unfolds in a similar way to the original parable, with the singer being robbed and left for dead on the Jerusalem-Jericho road. In this rendition of the story, the priest and Levite who pass the injured man are callous and indifferent to his suffering, but it's the Samaritan who stops to help. Williams’s version of the parable highlights the pain and hurt that individuals can face on a daily basis but, more importantly, the potential for kindness and empathy that can exist in anyone, regardless of their position in society.
One of the most interesting facts about “From Jerusalem to Jericho” is that, despite its Christian themes and references to Biblical stories, it was one of the few Hank Williams songs that never received backlash from secular or religious audiences. Perhaps this was due to the fact that its message of empathy and care for one's neighbors transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Another interesting fact is that Williams recorded this for the Health and Happiness hourly radio show on November 10, 1949. Additionally, this song has been covered by several artists, including Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Line by Line Meaning
From Jerusalem to Jericho, along that lonely road,
Traveling along the path from Jerusalem to Jericho, a man was robbed and left for dead.
A certain man was set upon and robbed of all his gold.
The man was attacked and had all of his possessions stolen.
They beat him and they stripped him, and they left him there for dead.
The attackers brutally assaulted and robbed the man, leaving him unconscious and alone.
Who was it then that come along and bathed the aching head?
Someone later found the man and provided medical attention.
Then who (then who), tell me who (tell me who),
The singer asks who the kind and compassionate person was that helped the victim.
Tell me who was this neighbor kind and true?
The singer is asking who the person was that acted as a loving neighbor in this situation.
From Jerusalem to Jericho we're traveling every day,
The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho is not just a physical path, but a metaphor for the hardships and challenges of everyday life.
And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way.
There are many people who suffer and struggle on this journey of life.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a certain priest come by,
A priest passed by the victim on the road.
He heard the poor man crying, but he heeded not the cry.
The priest ignored the cries for help from the victim.
He gathered his robes about him and he quickly passed away.
The priest hurriedly walked away from the victim without offering assistance.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, a Levite came along,
A Levite also passed by the victim on the road.
He heard the poor man crying, that lie upon the ground.
The Levite heard the cries for help from the victim on the ground.
He lifted his hands up to the heavens and he quickly passed him by.
Despite hearing the cries for help, the Levite did not stop to assist the victim and continued on his journey.
From Jerusalem to Jericho, when life was ebbing away,
As the victim lay dying on the road, a Samaritan passed by.
Along come that Samaritan who was despised, they say.
The Samaritan, who was despised by some, was the one who stopped to help the victim.
He ministered to the dying man, he carried him to an inn.
The Samaritan provided medical aid to the victim and brought him to a nearby inn for further care.
He paid his fare and told the host to take good care of him.
The Samaritan paid for the victim's stay at the inn and instructed the innkeeper to take care of him.
Oh, some despised and some rejected, but it's no matter how they've been,
Regardless of whether someone has been despised or rejected, it is important to show compassion and kindness to them.
When everybody turns you down, then Jesus takes you in.
When others refuse to help, it is believed that Jesus will come to your aid.
Contributed by Caleb T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheHank50
Another great song from the master, the king of country hillbilly music thanks for sharing
@frankmyers7526
He was the greatest singer and songwriter to ever live in this century, if only had lived beyond 28 years old, imagined he would have wrote hundreds of songs, no one would be able to compare to him!! They will never be anyone like him!!
@debraperkins4448
No Other Could put Pen to Paper, and Write the Songs, he Composed or Sing a Gospel Song as Hank Williams Has!!
The King of Song!!
@jimhart1818
He has been in my life for ever, and he always will be ill see him soon in person God bless you Hank 🙏❤ ❤ ♥
@debbieharrison1911
BEAUTIFUL SONG
@EleanorLewis-bj1xl
Beautiful song I love too listen to hank Williams sir music
@jasonbanks7327
They seem despised rejected, but no matter what they've been, when everyone casts them out, then Jesus takes them in. Amen
@bassistdave109
Hanks got me a tear in my eye gosh darn again.
@zackhedin1117
I get it too, you can feel the feeling and message in your heart through his voice.
@rosewilliams5965
Just love this song. Hank was a wonderful singer. Love his gospel songs. Give me real feelings for God.