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 Gonna Sing
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I know my prayers have not been in vain
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing I'm gonna let the hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Saviour's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
[ banjo ]
Sometimes I get so weary inside then I recall how my Jesus diedUp there I know there'll be no pain when I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory...
[ fiddle ]
Up there no tears will blind my eyes and I'll walk along by my Jesus side
I'll meet my loved ones all once again when I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory...
In “I’m Gonna Sing,” Hank Williams expresses his hope and belief in a brighter, pain-free future. He starts by acknowledging the harsh realities of life, such as trouble and sorrow, but he looks forward to the day when he will no longer have to face them. Williams believes that his prayers have not been in vain and that he will be rewarded for his faith. He says that when he finally reaches his heavenly home, he will sing and let the hallelujahs ring.
Furthermore, Williams mentions that he sometimes gets weary from the difficulties of life, but he gets strength from remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for him. He knows that there will be no pain, tears, or suffering in glory, and he eagerly anticipates being reunited with his loved ones. Throughout the song, Williams affirms his trust in his blessed Savior, whom he will praise in his new home. The instruments, particularly the banjo and fiddle, add an uplifting and hopeful tone to the song, conveying the joy that Williams feels when he thinks about his future home in glory.
Overall, “I’m Gonna Sing” is a song about faith, hope, and the promise of a better future. Williams’ lyrics and melody offer comfort to those who face struggles and hardships in their current lives. He encourages listeners to keep their faith in God and to look forward to the day when they too will be able to sing and let the hallelujahs ring in glory.
Line by Line Meaning
In this world of sorrow I've seen trouble and woe when I get to glory I'll see no more
I've experienced hardships and difficulties in this life, but I believe that in the afterlife I'll be free from such pain and suffering.
For I know my prayers have not been in vain
My faith in God and the power of prayer gives me hope that my struggles will ultimately have purpose and meaning.
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing, when I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing, I'm gonna let the hallelujahs ring, I'm gonna praise my blessed Saviour's name.
In heaven, I'll celebrate and express my joy through singing and praising God's name.
[banjo]
Sometimes I get so weary inside then I recall how my Jesus died.
In times of struggle, I find comfort in the sacrifice that Jesus made for me and the hope that it provides.
Up there I know there'll be no pain, when I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing.
I have faith that in the afterlife, there will be no pain or suffering, and that belief fills me with hope and joy.
When I get to glory...
[fiddle]
Up there no tears will blind my eyes, and I'll walk along by my Jesus side.
In heaven, I'll be reunited with loved ones and walk with Jesus, free from the sorrow and tears of this world.
I'll meet my loved ones all once again, when I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing.
In heaven, I'll be reunited with those who have passed on, and the joy of that reunion will inspire me to sing and praise God's name.
When I get to glory...
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bluedream17w
In this world of sorrow I've seen trouble and woe
When I get to glory I'll see no more
For I know my prayers have not been in vain
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
Sometimes I get so weary inside
Then I recall how my Jesus died
Up there I know there'll be no pain
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
Up there no tears will blind my eyes
And I'll walk along by my Jesus' side
I'll meet my loved ones all once again
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
@jimmyrbyamirb7IDF
My grandmother played this song on her 45 record player all day long. Then we & my sisters would ride around in my grandpa 1954 Ford pickup truck, in the back, jumping for joy listening to Hank Williams songs on the radio.
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and songs my dad John Parsons liked his music he passed away May 19 2002,was,66
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer my Dad John Parsons liked he passed away 2002,was66💐 May Hank Williams Sr RIP 💐
@calvinneighbors6191
We need all of the Hank Williams's we can get right now! YAHWEH BLESS!...
@lisaparsons4124
Yes I agree Hank Williams Sr did great songs about Jesus Christ our savior
@lynnmillerjr7418
He left us at a young age. We all faced
Death. I pray God I see him after Grandpa.
I want to see him again. He died when I
Was 8. Hank Sr died before dad was born.
This song speaks to me.
@judyduncan2597
Wonderful I remember him on old battery operated radio.
@bluedream17w
In this world of sorrow I've seen trouble and woe
When I get to glory I'll see no more
For I know my prayers have not been in vain
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
Sometimes I get so weary inside
Then I recall how my Jesus died
Up there I know there'll be no pain
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
Up there no tears will blind my eyes
And I'll walk along by my Jesus' side
I'll meet my loved ones all once again
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
I'm gonna let the Hallelujahs ring
I'm gonna praise my blessed Savior's name
When I get to glory I'm gonna sing sing sing
@judyduncan2597
Love this man all he,sang slot gospel songs,and others
@shalalafitte8562
I love that song