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 1940β1949 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.
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have I told you there?s no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
For the morning sun and all its glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
You fill my life with laughter
Somehow make it better
Ease my troubles that?s what you do
There?s a love divine
And it?s yours and it?s mine
Like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, oh, to the one
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there?s no one else above you?
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
There?s a love divine
And it?s yours and it?s mine
Like the sun
And at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray
To the one, oh, to the one
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there?s no one else above you?
You fill my heart with gladness
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
Take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
Oh, take away all my sadness
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
Oh, baby, baby, baby
Have I told you lately that I love you?
C'mon baby move with me
Baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby
The lyrics of Hank Williamsβs βHave I Told You Lately That I Love Youβ express a deep, romantic love that the singer has for their partner. The first verse asks the question of whether or not the singer has conveyed their affection lately, and they follow up with a declaration that there is no one else above their love interest. The chorus repeats these sentiments with an added declaration of gratefulness for how their partner eases their troubles and brings them joy. The second verse touches on the idea of hope and comfort brought about by the morning sun, with the singer attributing these same emotions to their partnerβs presence in their life. The bridge of the song emphasizes the divine nature of love, comparing it to the sunβs rays. The song finishes as it began, with the singer repeating the question of whether or not they have expressed their love lately, before concluding with a plea for their love interest to reciprocate their feelings.
Overall, the song is a timeless ode to the power of love and the importance of expressing it to those who mean the most to us. It conveys a genuine appreciation for the feelings of safety, joy, and fulfillment that a meaningful relationship can bring, and it serves as a reminder that love is both important and deserving of constant attention and care.
Line by Line Meaning
Have I told you lately that I love you?
I want to express my love for you and make sure that you are aware of it.
Have I told you there?s no one else above you?
I acknowledge that you are the most important person in my life and no one else can replace you.
Fill my heart with gladness
Being with you brings joy and happiness to my heart.
Take away all my sadness
Your presence and love have the power to make me forget all my sorrows and feel happy.
Ease my troubles, that?s what you do
You have a soothing effect on me and help me deal with my problems and worries.
For the morning sun and all its glory
Just like the sun brings light and hope to the day, you bring light and hope to my life.
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
Your love gives me hope and comfort just like the morning sun does.
You fill my life with laughter
Being with you makes my life more joyful and fun, and I laugh more when I am with you.
Somehow make it better
You have a magical way of making everything better and more bearable for me.
There?s a love divine
Our love is special, and it feels like it comes from a higher power.
And it?s yours and it?s mine
Our love belongs to us, and we share it between ourselves.
Like the sun
Our love is bright and warm, just like the sun.
We should give thanks and pray
We should be grateful for the love we share and pray that it continues to grow stronger.
To the one, oh, to the one
We should give thanks and pray to the higher power that blessed us with this love.
Oh, take away all my sadness
I cannot help but repeat how your love takes away all my sadness.
Oh, baby, baby, baby
I express my love towards you and call you endearing names as a sign of affection.
C'mon baby move with me
I want to dance with you and enjoy the moment together.
Baby, baby, baby
I express my love towards you and call you endearing names as a sign of affection.
Baby, baby, baby
I express my love towards you and call you endearing names as a sign of affection.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sdcobb11
When visiting a family member in hospice a man in his 30s was dying a few rooms down. A woman was singing this so beautifully to him with a room full of family crying. It was one of the most touching things I had ever seen.
And one of my Papawβs favorites of course.
@codyjones7475
What a love inspiring story. Music has a way of conveying the feelings of the heart..
@tatyfonseca6731
I'm 83 years old , I have listened to many and loved most of the old singers , But let me tell you there will never be another Hank Williams . He was and still is so special that I will never get tired of his singing . Thank you Hank for the best in Country music to last a life time and beyond ! Don't worry Hank no one has been able to copy your style , not even close .
@annettewake6042
AMEN
@barbaraspring3199
His son came close.
@stanfitzgerald1878
I am 83 also and I agree
@Leviredding1861
Well said brother
@stewartfenton7660
@@barbaraspring3199 sorry, he didn't. Don't get me wrong, he's a great performer and player, though not my style. But he never did his dad like his dad did.
@Edward-nz4qh
This was mine and my wife favorite song. When she was ready to pass away I held her hand and sang this song to her. Lost my wife of 35yrs.
@lovesfreedomtoo
My daddy would get his guitar, sit my mom on his knee & sing this to her. It was always a sweet & tender moment. My parents were great examples of what love & marriage should be about.