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.
Jesus Died for Me
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember how my Savior died, He died there on the cross
So, this world would not be lost, Jesus died for me long ago
Jesus died for me long ago on a hillside far away
He was tortured and slain, God bless His Holy name
Jesus died for me long ago
So that you and I could live, I'll try to repay
For His sufferin' on that day, Jesus died for me long ago
Jesus died for me long ago on a hillside far away
He was tortured and slain, God bless His Holy name
Jesus died for me long ago
As He hung there all alone, His life's blood almost gone
He never stopped prayin' for me, so I'll follow all the way
And live with Him someday, Jesus died for me long ago
Jesus died for me long ago on a hillside far away
He was tortured and slain, God bless His Holy name
Jesus died for me long ago, Jesus died for me
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song "Jesus Died for Me" are a testament to the power of faith and hope in times of trouble. The song speaks to the idea that when everything seems to be going wrong, we can take solace in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. According to the lyrics, Jesus died to ensure that the world would not be lost, and his suffering made it possible for us to live.
The lyrics also touch on the immense pain that Jesus endured on the cross, and the sense of gratitude that we as Christians should feel for his sacrifice. The song urges us to repay that debt by living a life dedicated to following Jesus, so that we may one day live with him in heaven.
Overall, the message of "Jesus Died for Me" is one of hope and redemption in the face of adversity. The song reminds us that even when things seem darkest, our faith can sustain us and give us the strength to persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
When everything goes wrong and it seems all hope is gone
In moments of despair, when things go awry and it seems as if there is no way out, I recall the sacrifice that my Lord and Savior made.
I remember how my Savior died, He died there on the cross
I recall that my Savior died on the cross, giving his life so that I might have the chance at eternal life.
So, this world would not be lost, Jesus died for me long ago
Jesus gave up his life for me so that the world would not be lost to sin, and I could have a chance to be saved.
Jesus died for me long ago on a hillside far away
My Savior, Jesus Christ, died for me a long time ago on a distant hillside.
He was tortured and slain, God bless His Holy name
He was brutalized and killed, but we honor and bless His holy name for the selfless act he performed.
What pain He suffered there, the holy one, so dear
The holy one, so dear, suffered immense pain while on the cross for me.
So that you and I could live, I'll try to repay
I will do my best to repay him for his sacrifice by living a life of purpose and meaning.
For His sufferin' on that day, Jesus died for me long ago
Jesus suffered on the cross to save me from sin, and I recognize that this was an incredible sacrifice.
As He hung there all alone, His life's blood almost gone
Jesus hung on the cross by himself, with his life slowly slipping away.
He never stopped prayin' for me, so I'll follow all the way
He never stopped praying for me, so I commit to following him all the way until my time on earth is done.
And live with Him someday, Jesus died for me long ago
One day, I will live with Jesus, thanks to His sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus died for me long ago on a hillside far away
On a remote hillside, Jesus gave his life so that I might have a chance at eternal life.
He was tortured and slain, God bless His Holy name
Though he was killed in a torturous manner, we bless His holy name for the ultimate sacrifice He made.
Jesus died for me long ago, Jesus died for me
Jesus died for me long ago, and I will be forever grateful for the gift He gave.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind