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.
Precious Lord Take My Hand
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak and I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand
Precious Lord
Lead me home
When my way grows unclear
Precious Lord, linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
And hold my hand so I won't fall
Take my hand
(Take my hand)
Precious Lord
Lead me home
When the darkness appears
And the night is drawing near
And the day is almost gone
At the river I'll stand
So guide my feet and hold my hand
Take my hand
(Take my hand)
Precious Lord
And lead me home
The lyrics of "Precious Lord Take My Hand" by Hank Williams express a plea for help and guidance in times of distress and uncertainty. The song starts with the singer asking the "Precious Lord" to take their hand and lead them on, as they are tired, weak and worn. They are seeking the light at the end of the tunnel, even if they have to go through storms and nights to get there.
The central message of the song is about faith and trust in a higher power. The singer can't face life's obstacles alone and needs divine guidance to hold them up. Whether it be in times of clarity or darkness, the singer is asking the Lord to be near and hear their cry so they won't fall, as they head towards the river where they'll stand. Ultimately, the singer seeks the Lord's assistance to lead them home, where they can rest and find peace.
Lyrically, the song is a representation of Hank Williams's personal struggles and battles, as he experienced numerous trials and tribulations throughout his life. He wrote this song in 1941, after he and his wife Audrey were involved in a car accident that left him with a fractured skull and spine. The lyrics express his emotional and physical pain and his longing for divine intervention.
Line by Line Meaning
Precious Lord, take my hand
Dear Lord, please hold my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
Please guide me on this journey and help me stand strong
I am tired, I am weak and I am worn
I am exhausted, fragile, and depleted
Through the storm, through the night
No matter the difficulty or darkness, please stay with me
Lead me on to the light
Guide me towards the path of hope and joy
Take my hand
Please hold my hand
Precious Lord
My dear and cherished Lord
Lead me home
Please guide me back to your loving arms
When my way grows unclear
When I'm lost and unsure of my path
Precious Lord, linger near
My dear Lord, please stay close to me
When my light is almost gone
When I'm about to give up
Hear my cry, hear my call
Please listen to my plea for help
And hold my hand so I won't fall
Please support and guide me so that I won't falter
When the darkness appears
When the world becomes grim and hopeless
And the night is drawing near
As the day ends and the night approaches
And the day is almost gone
When the day is nearly over
At the river I'll stand
When I stand before the river of life
So guide my feet and hold my hand
Please lead and support me as I cross over
Take my hand
Please hold my hand
Precious Lord
My dear and cherished Lord
And lead me home
Please guide me back to your loving arms
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1rm0mr1
When my way groweth drear precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone hear my cry
Hear my call hold my hand less I fall
Take my hand take my hand precious Lord lead me on
Oh dear Lord take my hand lead me on let me stand I am tired I am weak I am worn Through the storm through the night lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious Lord lead me home
When those shadows appear and the night draweth near and the day is passed and gone
At the river I stand guide my feet hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home
Oh dear Lord take my hand lead me on let me stand I am tired I am weak I am worn Through the storm through the night lead me on to the Light take my hand precious Lord lead me home
@wongsala4407
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak and I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand
Precious Lord
Lead me home
When my way grows unclear
Precious Lord, linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
And hold my hand so I won't fall
Take my hand
Precious Lord
Lead me home
When the darkness appears
And the night is drawing near
And the day is almost gone
At the river I'll stand
So guide my feet and hold my hand
Take my hand
Precious Lord
And lead me home
@lindadevito7363
Love Hank Williams music
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer.
@billhuman448
like the song brings back memories thank you 12/17.2021
@southerngantleman
Agree...I was raised old fashioned in the South and I do not regret it one bit. No one can write a song or sing it better than someone who has been through tough times. That's why Hank put so much heart in his songs.And wrote some of the most beautiful songs ever written. As I said before their is no telling how many songs died with this man.
@steveshelby2465
Growing up in the old fashion South with Jesus was an incredible Blessing!
@HarryGeee
shut yer geggy ya bandit ye
@jefg8rfivemgmodandmore928
I wish I could go to church every day sing the gospel the one thing I love more that anything in the world is singing and parsing Jesus
@Aur985
@@steveshelby2465 so true i yearn for it as an italian 🇮🇹 !! God bless Old America !! 🙏🙏🙏
@shotty5873
You are absolutely rite. As a child I went to church with my granny, it was mostly her family "she had 11 brothers and sisters" they were raised dirt poor and worked like dogs, she said the rats would drag there food away of the night. They basically lived in a chicken house and they would pack the holes in the sides of the house and cracks between the boars with news papers and feed sacks. The neigbors gave them there old blue jeans that were wore out and granny and her mom would make heavy blue jean blankets for the kids where it would get so cold of the night. As I grew older I reliazed more and more how granny and paw were technically financially poor themselves, they never had AC or running back water "we tapped in to the spring house" but I never felt like there were poor. They were the wealthiest people I have ever known, they had everything they needed.. there family. They loved there family and the Lord and we adored them. When Granny would sing I would hold back tears because u could feel the pain in her heart. I am 38 now and they passed 6 and 8 years ago. I am an alcoholic and have other problems but I want to help addicts and go to jails and help the sinners that so many churches disown. I don't know how to help but if I was a better man I would try to spread the word of God. But I am far worse than those men at the jail so who am I to mention God
@joyceleady3691
Using this song for my sons services he liked Hank Williams and he also fought a hard battle. Every time I hear it just brings sorrow to my eyes. But I know the Lord will carry us through this and I pray he is now at peace and no longer in pain. May the light of the Lord lift him and has taken him to a better place in life. 😮💨😪❤💔