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.
Kaw-Liga
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He fell in love with an indian maid, over in the antique store
Kaw-Liga, ooh
Just stood there, and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no
He always wore his Sunday feathers, and held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped someday he'd talk
To stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart is made of knotty pine
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he don't know what he missed
Is it any wonder that his face is red?
Kaw-Liga, that poor old wooden head
Kaw-Liga was a lonely Indian, never went nowhere
His heart was set on the Chocktaw maid with the coal-black hair
Kaw-Liga, ooh
Just stood there and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no
And then one day, a wealthy customer bought the Indian maid
And took her oh-so far away but ol' Kaw-Liga stayed
Kaw-Liga, ooh
Just stands there, as lonely as can be
And wishes he were still an ol' pine tree
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he don't know what he missed
Is it any wonder, that his face is red?
Kaw-Liga, you poor, ol' wooden head
The song "Kaw-Liga" by Hank Williams Jr. tells the story of a wooden Indian statue that stands by the door of an antique store. The statue is named Kaw-Liga, and he falls in love with an Indian maid who also stands in the store. The maiden hopes that Kaw-Liga will talk to her someday, but the wooden statue is too stubborn to show his feelings. He stands there wearing his Sunday feathers and holding a tomahawk while the maiden wears her beads and braids, waiting for him to make a move. Kaw-Liga's heart is made of knotty pine, and he cannot express his love for her. He never gets a kiss from the maiden, and she is eventually bought by a wealthy customer and taken far away. Kaw-Liga remains standing by the door, as lonely as can be, wishing he was still an old pine tree.
Line by Line Meaning
Kaw-Liga was a wooden Indian, standin' by the door
Kaw-Liga was a mere wooden statue placed at the entrance, doing nothing but standing still
He fell in love with an indian maid, over in the antique store
Kaw-Liga developed feelings for an Indian woman in a nearby antique shop
Just stood there, and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no
Kaw-Liga never revealed his love for her, making it impossible for her to reciprocate or reject it
He always wore his Sunday feathers, and held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped someday he'd talk
Kaw-Liga dressed up in his best attire with a tomahawk by his side while the woman wore her traditional beads and braids while silently hoping he would confess his feelings
To stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart is made of knotty pine
Kaw-Liga was too obstinate to reveal his emotions because he was only a wooden statue, and his heart is just made of tough wood
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he don't know what he missed
Is it any wonder that his face is red?
Kaw-Liga, that poor old wooden head
Kaw-Liga never got to experience love and is now left with regret. His inability to act on his feelings has left him with a red, wooden face.
Kaw-Liga was a lonely Indian, never went nowhere
His heart was set on the Chocktaw maid with the coal-black hair
Kaw-Liga was an isolated wooden statue and always had his heart set on the Choctaw woman with black hair
And then one day, a wealthy customer bought the Indian maid
And took her oh-so far away but ol' Kaw-Liga stayed
One day, a rich customer purchased the Indian woman and took her far away, but Kaw-Liga was left behind
Just stands there, as lonely as can be
And wishes he were still an ol' pine tree
Kaw-Liga remains standing, feeling lonelier than ever, and wishes he was still a tree as he wasn't able to express his feelings and now regrets it
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he never got a kiss
Poor ol' Kaw-Liga, he don't know what he missed
Is it any wonder, that his face is red?
Kaw-Liga, you poor, ol' wooden head
Kaw-Liga still hasn't experienced love and can only look back with regret. His wooden face continues to bear a red color
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED ROSE, HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stupidloopinfinite4768
this was my grandpa Charlie's favorite song, he was full blooded quawpaw. he died last night... I miss you grandpa.
@cracko4358
Hugs
@brendascrowe7842
God Bless 👼🙏♥️☀️ Donald Woodall
@mygoddess1
I'm so wicked sorry
StupidLoop Infinite may your heart heal with time. Take good care & stay safe.
@carson7556
Sorry to hear
@rhondabothelio7238
So sorry for your loss 🙏
@charlesachurch7265
My great great grandfather married a Cree and brought her back to Edinburgh and was a tobacconist. Who needs a wooden statue?
@drakehonest2
Hello how are you doing..?
@charlesachurch7265
Very well. How are you?
@roxrockman
I'm Native American and this is seriously a good freakin' song! XD Legendary...