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 the Banks of the Old Pontchartrain
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through valleys, o'er mountains and plains
Both footsore and weary I rested a-while
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The fairest young maiden that I ever saw
Passed by as it started to rain
We both found a shelter beneath the same tree
We hid from the shower an hour or so
She asked me how long I'd remain
I told her that I'd spend the rest of my days
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
I just couldn't tell her that I ran away
From jail on a west Texas plain
I prayed in my heart I would never be found
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
Then one day a man put his hand on my arm
And said I must go west again
I left her alone without saying goodbye
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell
I know that she's waiting in vain
I'm hoping and praying someday to return
To the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The song "On the Banks of the Old Pontchartrain" by Hank Williams is a ballad that narrates a story of a man's journey from Texas to Louisiana. The singer describes his travels through valleys, mountains and plains before eventually finding himself resting by the banks of the Old Pontchartrain river. There, he meets a beautiful young maiden and they both take shelter from the rain under the same tree. As they spend time together, the singer grows closer to her and decides to stay by the river for the rest of his days. However, he is eventually caught and sent back to Texas, abandoning the maiden without saying goodbye, and now, in his cell, he laments on his lost love and his desire to return to the banks of the river.
The song's central theme is that of longing and a sense of regret for lost opportunities. The lyrics effectively evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for love and companionship, while also highlighting the consequences of past actions. The singer is torn between his feelings for the maiden and his fear of being caught as a fugitive. The lyrics indirectly suggest the idea that love and morality often come into conflict, and that the repercussions of our actions can mold our future, even if it means leaving behind people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
I traveled from Texas to Old louis-anne
The singer journeyed from Texas to Louisiana.
Through valleys, o'er mountains and plains
The singer crossed different kinds of terrain during their journey.
Both footsore and weary I rested a-while
The singer was tired and needed to stop and rest for a bit.
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The artist stopped by the river called the Old Pontchartrain.
The fairest young maiden that I ever saw
The artist saw a very beautiful girl.
Passed by as it started to rain
The girl walked by during a rain shower.
We both found a shelter beneath the same tree
The singer and the girl found a dry spot under a tree to take cover from the rain.
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
They were still at the same river as before.
We hid from the shower an hour or so
They spent about an hour hiding from the rain shower.
She asked me how long I'd remain
The girl asked the artist how long they planned to stay in the area.
I told her that I'd spend the rest of my days
The singer lied and said they planned to stay there permanently.
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The artist still referred to the river they were near as 'Old Pontchartrain.'
I just couldn't tell her that I ran away
The singer kept a secret from the girl.
From jail on a west Texas plain
The singer escaped from a prison in West Texas.
I prayed in my heart I would never be found
The singer hoped to never be caught and returned to prison.
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The artist still used the name of the river as a location marker.
Then one day a man put his hand on my arm
Someone caught the artist and made physical contact with them.
And said I must go west again
The singer was commanded to go back to the West region, where the prison was.
I left her alone without saying goodbye
The singer left the girl without proper goodbyes.
On the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The artist was still at the river before leaving.
Tonight as I sit here alone in my cell
The artist is currently imprisoned and reflecting on their past.
I know that she's waiting in vain
The artist knows that the girl they left behind is still waiting for them.
I'm hoping and praying someday to return
The singer wants to go back to the place where they met the girl.
To the banks of the Old Pontchartrain.
The song's title is mentioned again, indicating that the artist misses the location where they met the girl.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAMONA VINCENT, HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Tackett
As an Alabama preacher, I love the music and Hank.
Ken Minton
This was my mother's favorite song she played it daily when I was a child
MR CLEAN
This may be the first Hank Sr song I ever heard Great track Thanks for sharing,Keith
James Rutledge
Another great song from my childhood. I had not heard this one for at least 60 years
Billy Two Knives
I wish I could have seen him perform.
Brasilian Rose
ONE OF THE FIRST SONGS I EVER HEARD BY HANK SR A GEM Thanks for sharing,Keith
Rupert White
One of my favorite singer ❤
ootooshohnuh
hank just can't be beat thanks for posting allen
Keith Douglas
This is my favorite of ALL Hank Williams Srs songs.Its also one of the first I ever heard by himThanks for this great song.
Richard Nash
Hank, Lefty & Merle - the real deal, you can hear it in the lyrics and singing