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.
Mother Is Gone
Hank Williams Lyrics
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There's someone who's restin' alone
And there on the the tomb, these words I read
The words were, 'Mother Is Gone'
Mother is gone to her home
Way up in Heaven above
And my heart's so sad
The words were, 'Mother Is Gone'
As I stood alone with memories of home
The place I left long, long ago
I returned home but I waited too long
For the words read, 'Mother Is Gone'
My friends did say, before she went away
She called my name over and over
So trustin' in God's love, I'll meet her above
Over on that other shore
Mother is gone to her home
Way up in heaven above
And my heart's so sad
For the words I read there
The words were, 'Mother Is Gone'
The lyrics of the song "Mother Is Gone" by Hank Williams refers to the loss of his mother who has passed away and now rests in a pine grove by their old home. As he reads the words on the tombstone, he becomes sad and nostalgic, reliving memories of his childhood home where he spent his early days with his mother. The lyrics bemoan the fact that he returned home only to find out that he was late and that his mother had already left for her home up in Heaven. Nevertheless, he trusts in God's love and takes solace in the belief that he will one day meet her over on that other shore.
The song is characterized by Williams's signature style of blending deep sadness with striking visual imagery that paints a picture of his emotions. It is a moving tribute to his mother that explores themes of loss, grief, and the hope of an afterlife. The song has a universal appeal and has resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds who have experienced the pain of losing their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
In a little pine grove by the old home
There is a small forest with pines close to the house
There's someone who's restin' alone
There is someone resting alone in that grove
And there on the the tomb, these words I read
On the tombstone, I read the following words
The words were, 'Mother Is Gone'
The words on the tombstone read 'Mother Is Gone'
Mother is gone to her home
My mother is dead and has gone to her permanent home in heaven
Way up in Heaven above
She has gone to the highest place, in heaven above
And my heart's so sad
I am feeling very sad inside
For the words I read there
Because of what I read on the tombstone
As I stood alone with memories of home
While I was standing there, I remembered my childhood home
The place I left long, long ago
The place I left behind a very long time ago
I returned home but I waited too long
I came back home, but I returned too late
For the words read, 'Mother Is Gone'
Because of what was written on the tombstone
My friends did say, before she went away
My friends told me that before my mother died
She called my name over and over
She repeatedly called out my name and wanted to see me
So trustin' in God's love, I'll meet her above
I have faith in God's love and I believe that I will meet her in heaven
Over on that other shore
In heaven, on the other side of the shore
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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