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 Watched My Dream World Crumble Like Clay
Hank Williams Lyrics
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Built it on hope and the love I thought was true
But I've seen my blue skies all turn to gray
I watched my dream world crumble like clay
We were so happy, darlin' we two
But then you changed dear, you found someone new
I saw all the joys of life fade far away
You promised darlin' that we'd never part
But now you've gone dear, breakin' my heart
I saw your love dear, fade and die away
I watched my dream world crumble like clay
In "I Watched My Dream World Crumble Like Clay," Hank Williams sings about a relationship that begins with hope and love but ultimately crumbles due to the unfaithfulness of his partner. He describes building a dream world for the two of them, filled with blue skies and happiness. However, as his partner changes and finds someone new, the joys of life fade away, and his dream world crumbles like clay. The lyrics express feelings of sadness, disappointment, and heartbreak as he watches everything he had hoped for and worked towards slip away.
The lyrics are a lament for a love that has been lost and the dissolution of a shared dream. The imagery of clay being molded and then crumbling suggests a fragility and transience to the dream world that he had created. The dream world he built is a metaphor for the relationship and the life they had planned together. While the dream world was once strong and promising, it became weak and unstable due to the actions of his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I built a dream world, darlin' for two
I created a wonderful imaginary life for both of us.
Built it on hope and the love I thought was true
I had faith and believed that the love between us was genuine.
But I've seen my blue skies all turn to gray
My optimism and positivity faded away.
I watched my dream world crumble like clay
My idealistic world shattered and fell apart right before me.
We were so happy, darlin' we two
We both experienced joy and pleasure with each other.
But then you changed dear, you found someone new
Your personality and behavior transformed, and you began seeing someone else.
I saw all the joys of life fade far away
All the happiness and pleasure we shared was gone, and I felt like I lost everything.
I watched my dream world crumble like clay
My perfect world crumbled and disintegrated.
You promised darlin' that we'd never part
You pledged that we would be together forever.
But now you've gone dear, breakin' my heart
However, you left me alone, hurting emotionally.
I saw your love dear, fade and die away
Your affection for me slowly vanished and died out.
I watched my dream world crumble like clay
The perfect world that I had built in my head fell apart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIAMS, SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
justin kennedy
such a rare treat to hear this sooo beautiful