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 Won't Be Home No More
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tried to but I couldn't wait
And now I've got another date
So I won't be home no more
You're just in time to miss the boat
So don't take off your hat and coat
Be on your way, that's all she wrote
'Cause I won't be home no more
I stood around a month or two
And waited for your call
Now I'm too busy pitchin' woo
So come around next fall
I scratched your name right off my slate
And hung a sign on my front gate
You're just in time to be too late
And I won't be home no more
Well, you're just in time to turn around
And drive your buggy back to town
You looked me, up I turned you down
And I won't be home no more
You're just in time to change your tune
Go tell your troubles to the moon
And call around next May or June
'Cause I won't be home no more
I used to be the patient kind
Believed each alibi
But that's all done, I've changed my mind
I've got new fish to fry
Well, you're just in time to celebrate
The things you didn't calculate
You're just in time to be too late
And I won't be home no more
In Hank Williams's “I Won’t Be Home No More,” the singer seems to be speaking directly to his former lover. He sings that she's “just in time to be too late” because he's already got someone new. The lyrics convey a sense of triumph and moving on from a toxic relationship. The singer says that his old love missed the boat and now he won't be home no more.
The song is full of clever wordplay and rhymes. In the first verse, he says she's just in time to be too late, and in the second verse, he sings that she's just in time to miss the boat. He also rhymes “call” with “pitchin' woo” and “front gate” with “too late.”
The final verse is especially powerful as he tells his former lover that he's done being patient and believing in lies. Now he’s got “new fish to fry.” Overall, the song is a declaration that he is moving on from his past and looking forward to a brighter future without her.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you're just in time to be too late
I waited for you for a long time, but you didn't come on time.
I tried to but I couldn't wait
I was looking forward to seeing you, but you didn't show up and I got impatient.
And now I've got another date
I found someone else to go out with in your absence.
So I won't be home no more
I won't be staying at home waiting for you anymore.
You're just in time to miss the boat
You missed the opportunity to be with me, as I have found someone else.
So don't take off your hat and coat
There's no need for you to stay, as I am not interested anymore.
Be on your way, that's all she wrote
You should leave now and there's nothing more to say.
'Cause I won't be home no more
I won't be available for you to visit or come back to.
I stood around a month or two
I waited a very long time for you.
And waited for your call
I was hoping that you'd reach out to me, but you never did.
Now I'm too busy pitchin' woo
I am now involved with someone else romantically and don't have time for you anymore.
So come around next fall
Maybe you should try to see me again in the future, but not anytime soon.
I scratched your name right off my slate
I erased everything that had to do with you from my life.
And hung a sign on my front gate
I made it very clear that I am not interested in seeing you anymore by putting up a sign.
You're just in time to be too late
You missed your chance and there is nothing left for you here.
Well, you're just in time to turn around
You came back just in time to leave once again.
And drive your buggy back to town
You should go back to where you came from.
You looked me, up I turned you down
I rejected you before and I will do so again.
And I won't be home no more
I won't be at home waiting for you this time.
You're just in time to change your tune
You have the chance to change your behavior and come back later.
Go tell your troubles to the moon
I don't care about your problems and you should keep them to yourself.
And call around next May or June
Maybe you should try coming back in a few months.
'Cause I won't be home no more
I won't have anything to do with you moving forward.
I used to be the patient kind
I was once very forgiving and patient with you.
Believed each alibi
I used to believe every excuse or justification you gave me.
But that's all done, I've changed my mind
I don't believe you anymore and I'm no longer giving you any more chances.
I've got new fish to fry
I moved on and found someone else to spend my time with.
Well, you're just in time to celebrate
You can celebrate that you no longer have to deal with me.
The things you didn't calculate
You didn't think things through and ended up losing me as a result.
And I won't be home no more
I will not be available for you to visit or come back to from now on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesavery9581
To me,every Hank Williams song is a classic and a masterpiece.There is no such thing as a bad Hank Williams song.
@ddarkshark
James Avery thou speaketh mucho truth!!!!
@maiv1232
+James Avery You are absolutely right and get this man's incomparable brilliance. The older I get tho, how stunning, singular his story is--really like a Shakespearian tragedy--this musician could NOT have stayed on the planet past aged 29. What a legacy he left us.
@budellajohnson7291
+James Avery speaks the truth!!! Same way I feel!!
@lucydee13
James Avery yes siree
@sylviafreeman6085
James Avery you have that right!!!
@thereddirtgirl1
Happy Birthday Dad.......up in heaven now with Hank......enjoy!!
@hankedful
Don Helms, Jerry Rivers, Sammy Pruett, Hillous Buttram. I tip my hat to these gentleman.
@robertromine4507
@Randall Demeria The Drifting Fucking Cowboys
@gabrielarambula4465
@Randall DemeriaThose are the musicians on this song, and several others of Hank's.
Don Helms - Steel guitar
Jerry Rivers - Fiddle
Harold Bradley - Rhythm guitar
Chet Atkins - Lead guitar
Ernie Newton - Bass