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.
Jambalaya
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
The Thibodaux's, the fontenot's, the place is buzzin'
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style and go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
The lyrics to Hank Williams's song Jambalaya describe the excitement and anticipation of a man named Joe as he prepares to head down the bayou to spend time with his sweetheart, Yvonne. The chorus of the song refers to the delicious Cajun foods that Joe will be enjoying with his friends and family as they all gather together for a night of music and revelry. This classic song celebrates the joy of life and the importance of food, music, and community.
The first verse of the song sets the scene as Joe says goodbye to his current location and heads down the bayou towards Yvonne. He describes her as the "sweetest one," and it's clear that she is an important person in his life. In the second verse, he sings about the delicious Cajun foods that he will be enjoying that night, including jambalaya, crawfish pie, and filé gumbo. He also mentions playing music on the guitar and filling up a fruit jar, suggesting that alcohol will be part of the evening's festivities. The final verse highlights the excitement buzzing around Yvonne's house as her kinfolk come to visit her, dressed up and ready to party.
Overall, Jambalaya is a lively and upbeat song that celebrates the fun and joy of Cajun culture. It's a great reminder that good food, good music, and good company are all important parts of a happy life.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye, Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh
Farewell, Joe, I must depart, my goodness gracious
Me gotta go, pole the pirogue down the bayou
I must travel down the river in my canoe
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
My darling Yvonne, the sweetest of all
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
An expression of excitement for the upcoming festivities on the river
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
A list of delicious Cajun dishes that will be enjoyed during the festivities
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Because tonight I will see my dear friend/lover
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
Playing music on the guitar, drinking from a jar filled with fruit juice, and having a good time
The Thibodaux's, the fontenot's, the place is buzzin'
The Thibodaux and Fontenot families are both in attendance, causing excitement
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Many relatives have come to see Yvonne
Dress in style and go hog wild, me oh my oh
Dressing fashionably and enjoying oneself to the fullest
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
A repetition of the list of delicious Cajun dishes that will be enjoyed
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
Reiterating the reason for his excitement about the evening ahead
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
Repeating the activities he will be doing and the positive attitude he will have
Jambalaya and a craw fish pie and filé gumbo
A second repetition of the list of Cajun dishes that he is looking forward to having
'Cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma cher amio
A second and final reminder of the reason for his excitement
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gayo
A final reminder of the activities he will be doing and the positive attitude he will have
Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou
A final expression of excitement for the upcoming festivities on the river
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hank Williams, Sr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind