The song has been covered by artists such as Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams III , and The Little Willies.
In 2008 Hank Williams' version of the song has been used as the theme for the HBO animated Comedy "The Life & Times of Tim".
I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a lot a luck but it's all been bad
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
My fishin' pole's broke, the creek is full of sand
My woman run away with another man
No matter how I struggle and strive
My distant uncle passed away
And left me quite a batch
And I was livin' high until the fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn't born, I was only hatched
Everything's agin me and it's got me down
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all the time
Is full of holes and nails
And brother, if I stepped on worn-out dime
I bet a nickel I could tell you if it was heads or tails
I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
'Cause nothin's ever gonna be alright no-how
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
Hank Williams's song I'll Never Get out of This World Alive is a bleak and mournful meditation on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. In the opening lines, the singer bemoans his bad luck, expressing a deep sense of futility and hopelessness. He has lost everything: his fishing pole, his woman, his distant uncle's inheritance, and even his sense of self. With each verse, the singer's despair deepens, culminating in the haunting lines, "No matter how I struggle and strive, / I'll never get out of this world alive."
The song's power lies in its simple yet evocative lyrics, which capture the essence of human struggle and suffering. Through the singer's voice, we glimpse the heartache, disappointment, and despair that afflict us all at one time or another. Yet amidst the song's sadness, there is also a glimmer of hope, a recognition that even in the face of death, we can find solace in the beauty of the world around us.
Overall, I'll Never Get out of This World Alive is a powerful testament to the human spirit, a moving tribute to the courage and resilience that we all possess in the face of life's greatest challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, you're lookin' at a man that's gettin' kinda mad
The singer is angry because of his current situation.
I had a lot a luck but it's all been bad
The singer has had a string of bad luck.
No matter how I struggle and strive
The singer has tried his best to improve his situation.
I'll never get out of this world alive
The artist believes that his situation is hopeless and that he will never escape it.
My fishin' pole's broke, the creek is full of sand
The artist's tools for survival are not working properly.
My woman run away with another man
The singer's personal life is in shambles.
My distant uncle passed away
The singer's situation was briefly improved with an inheritance.
And left me quite a batch
The inheritance was a significant amount of money.
A lawyer proved I wasn't born, I was only hatched
The artist's inheritance was taken away due to legal issues.
Everything's agin me and it's got me down
The artist feels like the world is against him.
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
The singer feels like he has no way out.
These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all the time
The artist cannot afford new shoes.
Is full of holes and nails
The singer's shoes are in poor condition.
And brother, if I stepped on worn-out dime
The singer is so poor he can tell by the sound of the coin whether it is heads or tails.
I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
The singer has given up on trying to improve his physical appearance.
'Cause nothin's ever gonna be alright no-how
The artist believes that his situation is always going to be bad.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Rose, Hank Williams Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ShamanG0M00
Now, you're lookin' at a man that's gettin' kinda mad
I had a lot a luck but it's all been bad
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
My fishin' pole's broke, the creek is full of sand
My woman run away with another man
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
My distant uncle passed away
And left me quite a batch
And I was livin' high until the fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn't born, I was only hatched
Everything's agin me and it's got me down
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all the time
Is full of holes and nails
And brother, if I stepped on worn-out dime
I bet a nickel I could tell you if it was heads or tails
I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
'Cause nothin's ever gonna be alright no-how
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
@wrestleguy24
Someone asked Hank, "How do you write all of those sad songs?", Hank replied, "Hell boy, you can't just write 'em, you gotta live 'em, and remember this, everybody loves to feel sorry for themselves." One of my favorite sayings. Good day Ladies and Gentlemen.
@davidbenallie1804
LOL!! Good reply!
@wrestleguy24
@Big Papa Stovepipe I like that one too Little Big Town did a song based on that saying
@wrestleguy24
@@davidbenallie1804 Helped with the writing I like to do. LOL
@katy4714
❤❤❤
@katy4714
That's for metal too
@looknn
40 years ago, as a young college kid going to Fisk University in Nashville, one of my summers jobs was as a laborer at a construction site. I worked with this old white carpenter and EVERY WORK DAY ALL DAY Hank Williams is ALL we listened to. After the second day or so I realized HW is really very good. From time to time I still listen. I'm no expert, but contemporary CW artists can't hold a candle to HW.
@BrookeBrauer
I love this!!!
@SymeonPhronema
In my opinion, sir, you have a good ear and good taste in music!
@AbyssmalAngel
My thoughts exactly, most modern country is spoiled sons of country boys. Most modern country singers don't know what it means to be country, or what country is about. Country isn't about getting in a lady's panties, it isn't about jacked up trucks, bass boats, or beer. It's about the hard scrabble life, but doing what you can with what you have. It's about helping your fellow man, and loving one another. And at times, it's about pouring your heart out for the hard times that aile you. It's from the soul.