Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Willi… Read Full Bio ↴Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.
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.
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.
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Hank Williams Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Hank Williams:
'Neath A Cold Gray Tomb Of Stone Standin' by, a lonesome graveyard, Everything I love is gon…
'Neath A Cold Grey Tomb Of Stone Rambling by a lonesome graveyard Everything I love is gone …
(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle Recorded by Hank Williams, Sr. Words and music by Jimmie Dav…
(I'm Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing Recorded by Hank Williams, Sr. Words and music by Hank Will…
(I'm Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing - Undubbed Version When I get to Glory, I'm gonna sing, sing, sing I'm…
(Last Night) I Heard You Crying in Your Sleep I know you tried your best to love me You smiled…
(There's a) Bluebird on Your Windowsill There's a bluebird (There's a rainbow) There's a bluebird …
39 Well I'm leavin' Mississippi And I'm looking for higher gro…
A Home in Heaven Around me many are building Homes of beauty and wealth But w…
A House Without Love For years we both have lived on pride, dear And we…
A Mansion On A Hill Tonight down here in the valley I'm lonesome and oh how…
A Picture From Life's Other Side In the world's mighty gallery of pictures Hang the scenes t…
A Teardrop On a Rose I went down to the river to watch the fish…
A Temple In Heaven Around me, many are building Temples of beauty and wealth Bu…
A Tramp On The Street Only a tramp was Lazarus sad fate He who lay down…
Ain't That A Shame A different boss at work That might do me well 'Cause I'm…
Alabama Waltz I was sad and blue, I was down hearted, too It…
All For The Love Of Sunshine The darkness of my world was all cleared away The flowers…
All The Love I Ever Had One time you know I loved you true There was nothing…
Alone and Forsaken We met in the springtime when blossoms unfold The pastures w…
Angel of Death In the great book of John you're warned of the…
Are You Building a Temple in Heaven Around me, many are building Temples of beauty and wealth Bu…
Are You Walkin' And A Talkin' For The Lord On your journey to the grave, would you stop and…
Arkansas Traveler Oh, once upon a time in Arkansas An old man sat…
At the Cross Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon…
At the First Fall of Snow I talked with a stranger, so sad and forlorn His garments…
Baby We If you're lovin' me like I'm lovin' you Baby, we're really…
Baby, We're Really in Love Recorded by: hank williams, sr. Writer: hank williams, sr. …
Be Careful of Stones That You Throw A tongue can accuse and carry bad news The seeds of…
Beautiful Home There's a beautiful home, far over the sea, Their mansions o…
Beyond the Sunset Should you go first and I remain to walk the…
Bile Dem Cabbage Down Raccoon up the 'simmon tree, 'Possum up the gum. Never did s…
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain In the twilight glow I see her Blue eyes crying in…
Blue Love I've got a blue love in my heart What can I…
Blue Steel Blues I'm just a singer, a natural born guitar ringer Kind of…
Bluebird On Your Windowsill (There's a bluebird) There's a bluebird (There's a rainbow) …
Cajun Baby Way down yonder in the bayou country in dear old…
California Zephyr From the Great Salt Lakes of Utah To California's golden sho…
Calling You When you've strayed from the fold And there's trouble in you…
Can't Help It Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
Cherokee Boogie Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along He does an…
Closing Makes no difference now what kind of life fate hands…
Cold I tried so hard my dear to show that you're…
Cool Water All day I've faced the barren waste Without the taste of…
Cotton Eye Joe Way back yonder a long time ago Daddy had a man…
Crazy Heart You thought she'd cared for you and so you acted…
Dance All Night I got ketchup on my blue jeans I just burnt my…
Dear Brother Dear Brother, Mama left us this morning Death's angels took …
Dear John Well when I woke up this mornin' There was a note…
Deck of Cards During the North African Campaign, A bunch of soldier boys…
Devil's Train The Devil's Train is long and black It rides on rails…
Dixie Cannonball I'm a'headin' back to dixie, That's the place I long…
Do You Love Me Well, why don't you love me like you used to…
Don't Do It Darling If you're worryin' over me like I've worried over you Don't…
Drifting Too Far From Shore Out on the perilous deep Where dangers silently creep And …
Dust On the Bible I went into a home one day just to see…
Eleven Roses I guess you noticed there is only eleven roses I chose…
Everything's Okay I went to the country just the other day To see…
Faded Love and Winter Roses Faded love and winter roses Always bloom in memory Faded lov…
family tradition Country music singers have always been a real close family B…
Farther Along Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder why it…
Fire On The Mountain Took my fam'ly away from my Carolina home Had dreams…
First Year Blues One call it first year blue Now I've been married about…
Fly Trouble Did you ever sit straight up in bed With somethin' circlin'…
Fool About You Like a hog a rootin' up under a fence Like a…
Freight Train Blues I was born in Dixie in a boomer's shack, Just a…
From Jerusalem to Jericho From Jerusalem to Jericho, along that lonely road, A certai…
From Jerusalem to Jerico 1. From Jerusalem to Jericho, along that lonely road, A cert…
Gathering Flowers for the Master Death is an angel sent down from above sent for…
Go on and Break My Heart You don't care one thing about me and you never…
Going Home I'm going home (just hank and his guitar circa 1950) When…
Half As Much If you loved me half as much as I love…
Hang My Head and Cry Every time I see her passin' by All I do is…
Hank Williams I like Charlie Daniels and I love big John Cash And…
Happy Rovin' Hear my song as I ride along I'm a happy rovin'…
Happy Rovin' Cowboy Hear my song as I ride along I'm a happy rovin'…
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I…
Heaven Holds All My Treasures Some people struggle for riches And all of the things they…
Help Me Understand A little girl prayed at the close of the day, Cause…
Hey Say hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Hey Good Lookin' ) Say hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cooki…
Hey! Good Lookin' Say hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Hey, Good Lookin' Say hey, good lookin' - what ya got cookin'? How's about…
Honey Do You Love Me Huh Honey, do you love me, huh? Honey, do you love me,…
Honky Tonk Blues Well, I left my home down on the rural route I…
Honky Tonkin When you are sad and lonely And have no place…
Honky Tonkin (Remastered) When you are sad and lonely and have no place…
House of Gold People steal, they cheat, they lie For wealth and what it…
How Can You Refuse Him How can you refuse him now how can you refuse…
Howlin This foolish game, oh it's still the same The notes go…
Howlin' at the Moon I know there's never been a man in the awful…
I They tell me little darlin', That to morrow you'll be wed, …
I Ain't Gonna Love You Any More No need for you to set alone, Just waiting by your…
I Ain't Got Nothin' but Time Little girl, if you're feeling low And you got no place…
I Am Bound For The Promised Land On Jordan′s stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye To…
I Can Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
I Can't Escape From You I've tried and tried to run and hide To find a…
I Can't Get You off My Mind I can't get you off of my mind When I try,…
I Can't Help It Today I passed you on the street And my heart fell…
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You) Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr. INTRO: Notes/chords t…
I Can't Tell My Heart I can't tell my heart, that you are no good I'd…
I Cant Get You Off My Mind I can't get you off of my mind When I try,…
I Can’t Tell My Heart That I can't tell my heart, that you are no good I'd…
I Could Never Be Ashamed of You Everybody says you let me down I should be ashamed to…
I Cried Again Teardrops fell the night you said I love you dear but…
I Don't Care I don't care if tomorrow never comes This world holds nothin…
I Dreamed About Mama Last Night I've just been to heaven with someone so true I dreamed…
I Dreamed About Mom Last Night I've just been to heaven with someone so true I…
I Dreamed That the Great Judgement Morning I dreamed that the great judgement morning, Had dawned, and…
I Hang My Head and Cry Ever' time I see her passin' by, All I do is…
I Heard My Mother Praying for Me Last night as I lay down to sleep I heard someone…
I Heard My Savior Call I heard my Saviour calling me He saved my soul, He…
I Heard That I was ridin' number nine Headin' south from Caroline I heard…
I Heard You Crying in My Sleep I know you tried your best to love me You smiled…
I Heard You Crying in Your Sleep I know you tried your best to love me You smiled…
I Just Don I just don't like this kind of living I'm tired of…
I Just Don't Like This Kind of Livin' I just don't like this kind of livin' I'm tired of…
I Saw the Light I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin I wouldn't let…
I Told a Lie to My Heart I told my heart, I didn't love you That I'd be…
I Want To Live And Love I want to live and love under the stars above I…
I Watched My Dream World Crumble Like Clay I built a dream world, darlin' for two Built it on…
I Wish I Had a Nickel They tell me little darlin', That to morrow you'll be wed, Y…
I Wish I Had a Nickle They tell me little darlin', That to morrow you'll be wed, …
I Won't Be Home No More Well, you're just in time to be too late I tried…
and many more tracks by Hank Williams.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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