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.
I'll Fly Away
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I'll, I'll fly away
I'll fly away, oh, glory
I'll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye
I'll fly away
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song I'll Fly Away describe the singer's desire to leave the troubles of life behind and enter into a land where joy never ends. The use of the phrase "some glad morning" implies that the singer is longing for a better life beyond this world. The repetition of "I'll fly away" emphasizes the singer's determination to leave behind his earthly struggles and enter into a place of eternal happiness.
The use of the phrase "Hallelujah, bye and bye" is a reference to the Christian belief in the afterlife. It suggests that the singer is confident in his faith and looking forward to the day when he will be reunited with God. The song's uplifting tone and religious imagery make it a popular choice for funerals and other occasions when people are seeking comfort and hope.
Overall, the lyrics of I'll Fly Away encourage listeners to look beyond life's difficulties and find solace in the promise of eternal life. They remind us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a reason to hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Some glad morning when this life is over
At an opportune time in future when this lifespan is ended
I'll fly away
I'll depart from this world and move on
To a land where joy shall never end
To a place where happiness is infinite
I'll, I'll fly away
I will take flight from this earth
I'll fly away, oh, glory
I will be gone, oh, glory
I'll fly away
I will travel on to the next life
When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye
When I pass away, Hallelujah, in due time
I'll fly away
I will ascend to the afterlife
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikeaubuchon8409
We are just a few hours away from the 67th anniversary of Hanks death .
A true test of someone impact on their profession is after there gone , are they remembered ?
Hank continues to add new generations of fans long after his death .
I was born 14 years after his death . I got to know Hanks music from my dad , and I've been a fan ever since .
Country music's brightest star . The measuring stick by which all other are judged . It takes most artists decades to have the career Hank had and Hank did it in 6 short years .
Some think that Hank passing away just before the Rock & Roll era only helped Hanks legend. Some think that Hank couldn't compete with the Rock era .
I beg to differ , people had no choice to turn to something else because Hank had passed away . Who's to say that R&R would of taken off as it did if Hank had lived ?
Hanks passing benefited R&R .
Look how many artists have recorded Hank's music .
Look how many artists from other types of music say that Hank had influenced them .
These are marks of a legend and in my opion , the greatest of all time in Country music.
Hank's still the King .
@Blakester-br1lt
I'm still listening to Hank in 2024!
@devyngibson4260
Same😂
@janetholdread
They been riding his amazing biblical music through all genres of music even to this very day I'm old enough I remember the grand old opera lol timeless music
@andysandel9325
I'm still listening
@prowoodworker2161
For life
@walliegirl2
For me in C&W, it is Hank Sr and Marty R, and then everyone else.
@sharlaraeoliver8037
Who's still listening to the great Hank Williams in 2020 🙋🏻♀️
@zaterranwraith7596
🙋♂️
@igorsouto7628
Euuu.. Agora
@igorsouto7628
Todos os dias