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.
May You Never Be Alone
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a piece of driftwood on the sea may you never be alone like me
[ piano ]
I believed the lies you told to me when you whispered dear I worship Thee
I gave up my friends I left my home when you promised to be mine alone
Now you're gone our love could never be may you never be alone like me
[ fiddle ]
In the Bible God's own words to say for every wrong someday you'll pay
I pray the Lord to set me free may you never be alone like me
In the song "May You Never Be Alone" by Hank Williams, he expresses the feeling of loneliness and heartbreak after a lost love. The comparison to a bird who has lost a mate in flight is a powerful metaphor to convey the magnitude of the singer's pain. He then wishes upon the listener never to experience the same feeling and wishes them a happy life.
The lyrics are heartfelt and sincere, and the simple piano notes and fiddle accompaniment add to the somber tone of the song. Williams pours his emotions into the lyrics and shares his own personal experience of giving up his friends and leaving his home for a love that was not worth the sacrifice. He prays for the Lord to set him free from the pain of his loneliness and hopes that his former love never experiences the same fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a bird that's lost its mate in flight I'm alone and oh so blue tonight
Just like a bird that has lost its mate during the flight, tonight I'm feeling lonely and sad.
Like a piece of driftwood on the sea may you never be alone like me
I feel like a piece of driftwood floating aimlessly on the sea; Hopefully, you never feel as lonely and lost as I do.
I believed the lies you told to me when you whispered dear I worship Thee
I trusted and believed the lies that you told me while saying sweet nothings and telling me that you were the one I worship.
Now here am I alone and blue all because I loved no one but you
I'm all alone and feeling sad, and it's all because I loved no one but you.
I gave up my friends I left my home when you promised to be mine alone
I left my friends and family, and even my home behind, believing your promise of being mine forever.
Now you're gone our love could never be may you never be alone like me
Now that you're gone, I realize that our love would never have worked; I wish you never have to feel as alone and sad as I am.
In the Bible God's own words to say for every wrong someday you'll pay
The Bible says that for every wrong deed that we do, someday we will have to face the consequences.
I pray the Lord to set me free may you never be alone like me
I pray to God to set me free from this loneliness and sadness; I hope you never have to experience this pain and sadness as I do.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
At four O thirty three
Hank Williams was able to put into words and song what so many have felt, even to this present day... that universal loneliness aching . This is why 65 years after his death his songs are still loved and listened to. They remain immortal.
Joan Shanholtz
right on!!!
Kyle Wanke
Universal Lonesome Aching… beautifully put ❤
Shirley Benett
Agree with. ❤❤❤❤
John Ellis
You just can't write stuff like this . God gave this man more writing talent then any one person should of ever had. I'm so thankful to be born to listen to pure genius I'm 62 and can never hear him enough!
brian le masters
Never will the good lots send a sad,sad angel drunk and full of hillbilly hijinx.icould drink vodka,cold gooditalian red wine and cry singing along these gems I'm glad you've found the treasurey.enjoy,enjoy dear brothers and sisters.
Mr.Unknown
You're absolutely right about that. Music isn't made like they used to.
Dude
Who said it was god
Shirley Benett
Im 79 & i agree. ❤❤❤❤
Shirley Benett
I'm 79 ,,feel him , ❤❤❤😢