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.
Roly Poly
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's hungry every minute of the day
Roly Poly gnawin' all the biscuit
As long as he can chew it it's okay
He can eat an apple pie
Before a cat can wake his eye
He likes everything from a soup to hay
I'll bet he's gonna be a man someday
Roly Poly scrambled eggs for breakfast
Had bread and jelly twenty times a day
Roly Poly will eat a hardy dinner
It takes lotta strength to run and play
Well he bowls up weeds and he does the chores
He runs both ways to all the stores
He works up an appetite that way
Roly Poly daddy's little fatty
I'll bet he's gonna be a man someday
Roly Poly eatin' corn and taters
He's hungry every minute of the day
Roly Poly gnawin' all the biscuit
And as long as he can chew it it's okay
He can eat an apple pie never even bat his eye
He likes everything from a soup to hay
Roly Poly daddy's little fatty
I'll bet he's gonna be a man someday
The song "Roly Poly" by Hank Williams is a lighthearted tune about a young boy who loves to eat. The lyrics describe his insatiable appetite and his favorite foods, including corn, taters, biscuits, apple pie, soup, and hay. The nickname "Roly Poly" refers to the boy's chubby frame and jovial nature, as he happily eats his way through the day. The song also mentions how the boy works hard by doing chores and running errands, which only serves to increase his appetite.
On a deeper level, the song could be seen as a celebration of simple pleasures, such as good food and hard work. The boy's love of eating is portrayed as something to be admired rather than criticized, and his ability to work hard and play hard is seen as an asset. In a world where people are often judged by their appearance or status, "Roly Poly" reminds us that sometimes the most important things in life are the ones that bring us joy and nourishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Roly Poly eatin' corn and taters
The subject of the song, Roly Poly, is currently eating a meal of corn and potatoes.
He's hungry every minute of the day
Roly Poly has a constant appetite and is always hungry.
Roly Poly gnawin' all the biscuit
Roly Poly is currently chewing on a biscuit with gusto.
As long as he can chew it it's okay
Roly Poly doesn't mind what type of food he eats, as long as he can easily consume it.
He can eat an apple pie
Roly Poly is capable of consuming an entire apple pie by himself.
Before a cat can wake his eye
Roly Poly can eat an apple pie so quickly that a nearby cat will still be asleep with eyes closed after he's finished.
He likes everything from a soup to hay
Roly Poly enjoys eating a wide variety of foods, from soup to hay.
Roly Poly daddy's little fatty
Roly Poly is affectionately referred to as 'daddy's little fatty'.
I'll bet he's gonna be a man someday
Despite his current size and eating habits, Roly Poly is still growing and developing into an adult man.
Roly Poly scrambled eggs for breakfast
Roly Poly had scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Had bread and jelly twenty times a day
Throughout the day, Roly Poly often eats bread and jelly as snacks, potentially up to twenty times.
Roly Poly will eat a hardy dinner
Roly Poly enjoys eating a large, hearty dinner.
It takes lotta strength to run and play
Roly Poly needs plenty of energy in order to run and play like other kids do.
Well he bowls up weeds and he does the chores
Roly Poly is able to help out around the house by doing chores, such as weeding the garden.
He runs both ways to all the stores
Roly Poly is active and energetic enough to run the entire way to stores, and back home again twice.
He works up an appetite that way
All of Roly Poly's daily activities and exercise help to stimulate his appetite.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Rose
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
surryhouse
Song puts a smile on my face when my daddy was going through a tough time with Alzheimer's I had found an old cassette in a discount Rack in a store and bought this tape. As soon as daddy heard that song he did a big ole southern ye haw, and started singing the words.
Картошка Катошка
Awesome!
Casey B
My dad use to sing this to me as he bounced me on his knee as a toddler. I would laugh and remembered the scratching of his mustache as he told me to go play. He passed away 3 months ago.
SuperNova
My Dad William Fernandez used to sing this to me. ❤️ God Bless they are always looking after us.
jassmin1233
Beautiful memories never die..my Dad played this alot when we were little.. good old days..gone but never forgotten.
Abandoned Network
God bless
Michael Rebresh
R.I.P
700 CLUB
Wonderful memory RIP pop
jayne bratt
Hank Williams was and still is the very best. The music business will never ever have another Hank Williams...
Wayne Darnaby
He was a small man, but left some big shoes to fill. RIP Hank.