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.
How Can You Refuse Him Now
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can you turn away from his side
With tears in his eyes on the cross there he died
How can you refuse Jesus now
As they nailed his hands he cried they don't understand
As the blood flowed from his side
How can you refuse him now...
[ steel ]
As he hung there on the tree he prayed for you and me
There was no one his pain to ease
Before he died he faintly cried oh father forgive them please
How can you refuse him now...
The song "How Can You Refuse Him Now" by Hank Williams is a powerful gospel song with a message that calls on people to embrace Christianity and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. The song is a plea to listeners to turn away from sin and to embrace the love and salvation offered by Jesus Christ. The lyrics describe the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, with the singer asking how anyone could refuse his message of redemption.
The song begins with the chorus, which serves as a call to action. The repetition of the line "how can you refuse him now" emphasizes the urgency of the message and creates a sense of emotional intensity. The chorus is followed by a series of verses that describe the crucifixion of Jesus and the emotional and spiritual impact it had on those who witnessed it. The lyrics express the hope that listeners will be moved to accept Jesus and experience the eternal life that he offers.
The song's use of vivid imagery and emotional intensity make it a powerful and effective tool for evangelism. The simplicity of the lyrics and the straightforward message of the song make it accessible to a wide audience, and its popularity has ensured that it remains a beloved gospel classic to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you refuse him now how can you refuse him now
Why would you reject Jesus at this moment?
How can you turn away from his side
How could you ignore Jesus and leave his side?
With tears in his eyes on the cross there he died
Jesus died on the cross with tears in his eyes.
How can you refuse Jesus now
Why would you reject Jesus now?
There's a story old that has often been told of how our Saviour died
The age-old story of how Jesus died has been recounted many times.
As they nailed his hands he cried they don't understand
While they nailed his hands, he cried out that they did not comprehend.
As the blood flowed from his side
When blood flowed from his side.
How can you refuse him now...
Why would you reject Jesus now?
[ steel ]
Instrumental break.
As he hung there on the tree he prayed for you and me
While he hung on the cross, he prayed for everyone, including you and me.
There was no one his pain to ease
No one could relieve his agony.
Before he died he faintly cried oh father forgive them please
Before taking his last breath, he murmured, 'Father, please forgive them.'
How can you refuse him now...
Why would you reject Jesus now?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adolfryan1930
Lyrics:
How can you refuse Him now, how can you refuse Him now?
How can you turn away from His side?
With tears in His eyes, on the cross, there He died
How can you refuse Jesus now?
There's a story old, that is often been told
Of how our Savior died
As they nailed His hands
He cried, "They don't understand"
As the blood flowed from His side
How can you refuse Him now, how can you refuse Him now?
How can you turn away from His side?
With tears in His eyes, on the cross, there He died
How can you refuse Jesus now
As He hung there on the tree, He prayed for you and me
There was no one His pain to ease
Before He died, He faintly cried
"Father, forgive them please"
How can you refuse Him now, how can you refuse Him now?
How can you turn away from His side?
With tears in His eyes, on the cross, there He died
How can you refuse Jesus now?
@angelafox2658
This song makes me cry it's sad but true I could never refuse Jesus he's don't so much for me and my family will y'all plz pray for my aunt sheral plz
@zellelight3489
This got me into tears. Many people are refusing Jesus. In the Old Testament, Israelites refused to make God their king and asked a human king. In the New Testament, Israelites refused His Son to be king. How broken hearted must've God been
I pray that I will never refuse Him, I pray that my faith will be as strong as those who were persecuted because of believing in Jesus. I pray you too. God bless! Jesus is my Lord Saviour
@scbtx
Hank had his ol' flesh like us all and he knew his Savior
@haverstock1888
The greatest country singer song writer on the planet
@touco9077
It never fails, my love for Jesus and my love for the heart in which Hank puts into this song turns my insides to mush and I find myself crying, for I so love Jesus the Christ and there will never be another like that ole Alabama boy named Hank Williams.!✝️🙏🇺🇲🇨🇮
@KrizRogers
The passion in the singing and the passion of the message go together so beautifully 🙏
@LT1HILLINGHOE
Why would anyone want to refuse our Saviour? I am so glad that God had grace sufficient to save a wretch like me. I didn't deserve it but I humbly bow before you in awe and thankfulness. Jesus, you are so wonderful and I love you with all of my heart. Thank you.
@chadallen9643
Amen
@sethwallace9470
Amen
@adolfryan1930
He died for us whether we like it or not