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'm Goin' Home
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When my work here is o'er
And trials come no more
On that great day I'm going home
To live forever more, just o'er on heaven's shore
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
[Chorus:]
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
Won't it be so sweet, to rest at Jesus' feet
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
I'm traveling in the light
And my way is clear and bright
Some glad day I'm going home
Heading for the pearly gates for there my savior waits
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
As I travel down life's road
So heavy is my load
But some glad day I'm going home
I'll meet my loved ones there, in that land so bright and fair
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
[Chorus:]
The lyrics to Hank Williams's song "I'm Going Home" convey a sense of hope and anticipation for the afterlife. Williams sings about the trials and challenges of life on Earth, but looks forward to a day when he can leave all of that behind and join his savior in heaven. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm going home" as a sort of mantra, reinforcing the idea that death is not a sad or scary event, but rather a homecoming.
Throughout the song, Williams uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of heaven as a place of rest and reunion. He sings about "the pearly gates" and "the land so bright and fair," invoking traditional Christian imagery of the afterlife. The line "to rest at Jesus' feet" is particularly significant, as it reveals Williams's faith in a personal relationship with Christ.
Overall, "I'm Going Home" is a poignant expression of hope and faith in the face of mortality. Williams's simple, heartfelt performance underscores the emotional power of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going home
Hank Williams is talking about returning to his heavenly home, a place of eternal rest and peace.
When my work here is o'er
Hank Williams is saying that his life's work will eventually be complete and he will leave this world.
And trials come no more
Hank Williams is saying that he will finally be free from the difficulties of life and will no longer face trials.
On that great day I'm going home
Hank Williams is referring to the day of his death, when he will leave this world and return to his heavenly home.
To live forever more, just o'er on heaven's shore
Hank Williams is excited to live forever in his heavenly home, which is just beyond the shore of heaven.
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
Hank Williams repeats his previous statement about returning to his heavenly home when his life on earth is complete.
I'm going home, I'm going home
The chorus repeats the theme of the song, referring to Hank Williams returning to his heavenly home.
Won't it be so sweet, to rest at Jesus' feet
Hank Williams finds comfort in resting at Jesus' feet in his heavenly home.
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
Hank Williams repeats his previous statement about returning to his heavenly home when his life on earth is complete.
I'm traveling in the light
Hank Williams is referring to the light of God that guides him on his journey to his heavenly home.
And my way is clear and bright
Hank Williams is saying that his path to his heavenly home is clear and bright, with no obstacles in his way.
Some glad day I'm going home
Hank Williams is looking forward to the day when he will return to his heavenly home with joy and gladness.
Heading for the pearly gates for there my savior waits
Hank Williams is referring to the gates of heaven, where his savior Jesus Christ is waiting for him.
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
Hank Williams repeats his previous statement about returning to his heavenly home when his life on earth is complete.
As I travel down life's road
Hank Williams is referring to his journey through life, with all its ups and downs.
So heavy is my load
Hank Williams is acknowledging that life can be hard and his burdens can be heavy.
But some glad day I'm going home
Despite life's hardships, Hank Williams remains hopeful and joyful about returning to his heavenly home.
I'll meet my loved ones there, in that land so bright and fair
Hank Williams is looking forward to reuniting with his loved ones who have passed away in his heavenly home, which is described as a beautiful and fair land.
When my life here is o'er I'm going home
Hank Williams repeats his previous statement about returning to his heavenly home when his life on earth is complete.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Parker
Wording and music are so simple, yet so absolutely genius. No one could ever match Hank. He is surely resting at Jesus’ feet.
Tommy Wilburn
Yeah I just lost my mama this is going to be one of the songs played at her funeral
Rachel Miller
One of my favorite Gospel Hymns. It is simple but beautiful and moving.
Josh Bates
Hank at his finest , been listening to him for 55 years now. Rip hank 1923-1953
David Stokes
Never be another Hank. One of a kind. God rest his soul
LukeThe Drifter
wow nobody could or ever will be able to sing em like that.greatest of all time R.I.P. Hank
caleb wilson
i love the sound of some of his gospel songs sounds like hes in church singin man i love hank.
《Thee Sweet Science》
Greatest of all time.
《Thee Sweet Science》
This song and "log train" from these early recordings both put a tear in my eye. Reminds me of my grandfather to the core. He has been gone since I was 10
RJ Ward
Love this song so much reminds me of my grandpa. God is so good praise Jesus!