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've Got My One-Way Ticket to the Sky
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we know the hand of God is surely nigh
My new hallelujah song I'll sing
Shouting praises to the King
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
And happy, oh, happy am I Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
Soon the pearly gates will open wide
And the Saviour will lead us safe inside
God will wipe away our tears
No more sorrow no more fears
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
And happy, oh, happy am I
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
There's a mansion waiting for me there
That my Savior has built for me on high
How the tears of joy now flow
As I gladly onward go
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
Happy, oh, happy am I
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky...
"I've Got My One-Way Ticket to the Sky" is a gospel song by Hank Williams. The lyrics speak of the joy and certainty of salvation, as portrayed through the metaphor of a one-way ticket to heaven. The song references the biblical story of the Last Judgment, describing the coming of Gabriel's trumpet and the hand of God, as well as the ultimate reward of a mansion built for the singer by his Savior in heaven. The song expresses a sense of overwhelming happiness and anticipation, as the singer looks forward to walking with Jesus in the Holy Land, reuniting with his loved ones, and being free from sorrow, fear, and tears.
The song's lyrics were partially inspired by Williams' own personal beliefs about salvation and the afterlife. Williams was a devout Christian and frequently incorporated religious themes into his music. The song was recorded on December 4, 1951, and released on the MGM label in March 1952 as the B-side to the single "Jesus Remembered Me". It was also included on his posthumous album "The Garden Spot Programs, 1950".
Line by Line Meaning
When we hear ol' Gabriel's trumpet blow
When the trumpet of the archangel Gabriel sounds
And we know the hand of God is surely nigh
And we are sure that God's power is near
My new hallelujah song I'll sing
I will sing my new song of praise
Shouting praises to the King
Loudly praising the King
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I have my one-way ticket to heaven.
Soon the pearly gates will open wide
The gates of heaven will open soon
And the Saviour will lead us safe inside
And Jesus will lead us safely inside
God will wipe away our tears
God will wipe away our tears
No more sorrow no more fears
No more sadness or fear
There's a mansion waiting for me there
There is a mansion waiting for me in heaven
That my Savior has built for me on high
Which Jesus built for me in heaven
How the tears of joy now flow
Now I shed tears of joy
As I gladly onward go
As I gladly continue on my journey
And happy, oh, happy am I
And I am very happy
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Walk with Jesus in heaven
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
See and greet my dad and mother
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I have my one-way ticket to heaven.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@georgelaconga1493
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
When we hear ol' Gabriel's trumpet blow
And we know the hand of God is surely nigh
My new hallelujah song I'll sing
Shouting praises to the King
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
(chorus)
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
And happy, oh, happy am I
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
--- Instrumental ---
Soon the pearly gates will open wide
And the Saviour will lead us safe inside
God will wipe away our tears
No more sorrow no more fears
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
And happy, oh, happy am I
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
--- Instrumental ---
There's a mansion waiting for me there
That my Savior has built for me on high
How the tears of joy now flow
As I gladly onward go
I've got my one way ticket to the sky.
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
Happy, oh, happy am I
Walk with Jesus in the Holy Land
Shake my, my dad and mother's hand
I've got my one way ticket to the sky
Read more: Hank Williams - I've Got My One Way Ticket To The Sky Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer my Dad John Parsons liked he passed away May 19 2002,was66.A awesome song.May Hank Williams Sr RIP 💐
@diannamerritt2441
I love this man singing I grew up with him as a teenager knew all his songs I'm 85 now I still enjoy his songs what a loss Such a handsome man with such a wonderful voice
@oldmate1342
Great song... thank you so much Hank
@lisaparsons4124
Great song
@judywaldner9107
Love Hanks singing, one of the best!
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer
@johnhedges235
Thanks Hank, RIP.
@ladydruyear
Sing it Hank!!!
@andrewbell2324
Wow now that's powerful
@izzydeadyet7336
♥️♥️♥️