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.
On Top of Old Smoky
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lost my true lover, by courtin' too slow
On top of old Smokie, I went there to weep
For a false hearted lover, is worse than a thief
A thief he will rob you, and take what you save
But a false hearted lover, will put you in your grave
On top of old Smokie, all covered in snowI lost my true lover, by courtin' too slow
They'll hug you and kiss you, then tell you more lies
Than the crossties on the railroad, or the stars in the skies
On top of old Smokie, all covered in snow
I lost my true lover, by courtin' too slow
Hank Williams's song On Top of Old Smoky is a traditional folk song that has been covered countless times by various artists. The song tells the story of a man who lost his true love on top of Old Smoky. He blames himself for his slow courtship and laments the loss of his love. He then goes on to warn others about the dangers of false-hearted lovers, who he believes are worse than thieves. He explains that while a thief may take your material possessions, a false-hearted lover can take your life and happiness.
The song's imagery is as powerful as it is bleak. The mountain, covered in snow, serves as a metaphor for the man's emotional state. The loss of his love has left him cold and alone. The thief and false-hearted lover are both portrayed as individuals who take what doesn't belong to them. However, the latter is seen as more dangerous since they can rob you of your soul.
The song's melancholic melody and lyrics have made it a popular choice for bluegrass and folk musicians. It is a cautionary tale about love and the dangers of not embracing it when it presents itself. It urges listeners to be honest with themselves and their loved ones, to avoid the fate of the singer in the song who lost his love forever.
Line by Line Meaning
On top of old Smokie, all covered in snow,
The singer is on top of Old Smokies while it is snowing.
I lost my true lover, by courtin' too slow
The singer lost their lover because they courted them too slowly.
On top of old Smokie, I went there to weep
The singer goes to Old Smokies to cry.
For a false hearted lover, is worse than a thief
The artist believes that a dishonest lover is more detrimental than a thief.
A thief he will rob you, and take what you save
A thief will take your belongings and savings.
But a false hearted lover, will put you in your grave
A dishonest lover will harm you emotionally to the point it seems like you're better off dead.
They'll hug you and kiss you, then tell you more lies
Dishonest lovers will shower you with affection while simultaneously deceiving you.
Than the crossties on the railroad, or the stars in the skies
These lovers will tell more lies than existent crossties or stars.
On top of old Smokie, all covered in snow
The artist is still on top of Old Smokies while it is snowing.
I lost my true lover, by courtin' too slow
Reiteration that the artist lost their lover due to slow courting.
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.
Written by: NONE, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@universalpotentate8797
Hank's Lyrics:
On top of Old Smokey all covered in snow
I lost my true lover by a'courting too slow
On top of Old Smokey, I went there to weep
For a false-hearted lover is worse than a thief
A thief he will rob you and take what you hāve
But a false-hearted lover, 'll put you in your grave
Chorus:
On top of Old Smokey all covered in snow
I lost my true lover by courting too slow
They'll hug you and kiss you then tell you more lies
Than the crossti(r)es on a railroad or stars in the skies
Chorus:
On top of Old Smokey all covered in snow
I lost my true lover by a'courting too slow
@lowlightpiano7110
Repent and put your trust in Jesus.
We've all sinned and deserve Hell.
Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, defeating death and sin.
Since we broke the law, Jesus paid our fine. Since he paid it, we can be let go.
We must repent and trust in Jesus to be saved.
Romans 3:23
John 3:16
Romans 6:23
1 Corinthians 15:3,4
Revalation 3:20
Romans 10:13
@duglife2230
This is probably the most Southern thing ever, but I remember my dog used to love it when I played this song on piano. He could be running around like a madman, but as soon as I started playing he'd stop what he was doing and lay down to listen. Last October he had some sort of cancer that had slowly been killing him over the course of a few months, but we had no idea until it was too late. On the morning that the he was dying, I wanted him to hear his favorite tune one more time, so I reluctantly played it for him through my tears and tremoring fingers. Since that morning I've never played the song again, and I'm not sure I will ever bring myself to again. I miss that good boy.
@michaelmoody3737
I know it's been a while since your fur baby passed away but I want to say I am sorry for your loss. I know it is painful to lose a best friend/baby. I pray that we are all reunited with the fur babies we have lost when we finally make it to Heaven. God bless you.
@chadk2525
Sorry for your loss. But get back to that piano.
@markjones5285
Would howl to the moon!
@brianabery5504
😢so sorry for your great loss. A love of your sweet companion is a great loss and will never be equal. God Bless you ❤my friend 😢
@brooney3412
00⁰000000⁰
@gw6258
Hank was a master of extracting the inner emotion of every song he sang, even the ones that he didn’t write.
@bigcdog5645
He could sing the abc's and make it a hit the man was something great!! Long live the king
@matthewpalmer9820
caleb wilson I've heard it said George could sing the abc's and make you cry, I think they're both true.
@byronscott1027
Still listening in 2024 ol hank sr. Was and still is the best sadly taken to young r i p