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.
Lonely Tombs
Hank Williams Lyrics
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When a voice from the tomb, seemed to (b7) say,
I once (e) lived as you live, walked and talked as you talk,
But from earth I was (b7) soon called a- (e) way.
Chorus
(e) oh, those tombs, ("oh those tombs"),Lonely tombs, ("lonely tombs "),
Seemed to say in a low gentle (b7) tone,
Oh how (e) sweet, ("oh how sweet"),
Is the rest, ("is the rest"),
In our beautiful, (b7) heavenly (e) home.
Every voice from the tomb, seemed to whisper and say,
Livin' man you must soon follow me,
And I thought as I gazed, on that cold marble slab,
What a sad lonesome place that must be.
Repeat chorus
I then came to the place, where my mother did lay,
And her voice, soft and low, from the tomb,
It said, son I'm at rest, with the savior above,
I am safe in my heavenly home.
Repeat chorus
The song "Lonely Tombs" written by Hank Williams is a song that speaks about the inevitability of death and the peace that comes with it. The song starts with the author strolling in a lonely graveyard and hearing a voice from one of the tombs saying that they had once lived like him. The voice reminds him of the fact that every man must die and that his time is coming soon. The chorus of the song emphasizes the peacefulness of the resting place for those who have passed on, and it is an invitation to those who are still alive to prepare for the inevitable.
As the song progresses, the author visits his mother's resting place, and he hears her voice from the tomb. She reassures him that she is at rest and safe in her heavenly home, which brings him comfort. The song ultimately brings the listener to contemplate life's fleetingness and the importance of being prepared for the inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
I was strollin' one day, in a lonely graveyard,
I was taking a walk through a cemetery by myself.
When a voice from the tomb, seemed to say,
I heard what sounded like a voice coming from one of the graves.
I once lived as you live, walked and talked as you talk,
The voice claimed to have lived a life similar to mine, with the same experiences and behaviors.
But from earth I was soon called away.
But they were taken away from the world too soon, likely through death.
Oh, those tombs, lonely tombs,
The graves are all very lonely and sad places.
Seemed to say in a low gentle tone,
The graves seemed to be speaking to me softly.
Oh how sweet, is the rest,
Resting in peace in the afterlife is a very pleasant thing.
In our beautiful, heavenly home.
The graves are a doorway to a better, more beautiful afterlife.
Every voice from the tomb, seemed to whisper and say,
All of the graves seemed to be speaking to me in hushed whispers.
Livin' man you must soon follow me,
The graves are reminding me that I will also pass away someday.
And I thought as I gazed, on that cold marble slab,
As I looked at the grave markers, I had a moment for reflection.
What a sad lonesome place that must be.
I felt a deep sadness for those who had passed away and were now resting in the graves.
I then came to the place, where my mother did lay,
I eventually reached the grave of my mother.
And her voice, soft and low, from the tomb,
I imagined that I could hear the gentle voice of my mother coming from the grave.
It said, son I'm at rest, with the Savior above,
In my imagination, my mother assured me that she was at peace in a better place, with God.
I am safe in my heavenly home.
She was at peace and comforted in the afterlife.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: J.E. MAINER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dougculver6622
I've been listening to Hank all my life and I never get tired of him.
@fullshark09
it's been only 4 years to me, and it´s pretty clear it will be the same case.
@bobharris7046
While touring Boot Hill Cementery, I saw this tombstone inscription, "Where you are, I once was, where I am, you soon will be." How true.
@justincb5193
That style of inscription has been around since the Middle Ages.
@Wonderfuloutdoors12
Deep
@michaelstpeter
these live recordings are so great. his singing is always perfect, so expressive. the music is timeless. he could be singing this song today and it wouldn't sound old or dated. he was so cool.
@gunnyman100
Senior takes on a whole new meaning when you’re hammered and broken hearted. Yeah think he’s trying to tell me something, god bless his beautiful soul.
@emitchell1891
Hell i dont drink anymore and i still love hanks music,
@thebeezkneezproject1830
senior was a walking talking living breathing gift to the masses
@Wonderfuloutdoors12
You dang right, listen to this guy ,I imagine everything he's singing, just listen Hank Sr was a gifted fella