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.
Seaman's Blues
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riding on a tanker, feeling mighty low
My good gal's behind me, no loving for so long
I'm going back to Texas, for that's where I belong
Nights are so lonely on the ocean
To much time to dream of yesterday
If only I could carry out my notion And hit the trail for Texas right away
On my way to Italy from the Gulf of Mexico
Riding on a tanker, feeling mighty low
My good gal's behind me, no loving for so long
I'm going back to Texas, for that's where I belong
I never thought I was leaving
I could get so blue out on the sea
But I'll bet you after all this grieving
Its that good old Texas soil for me
On my way to Italy from the Gulf of Mexico
Riding on a tanker, feeling mighty low
My good gal's behind me, no loving for so long
I'm going back to Texas, for that's where I belong
The lyrics of Hank Williams's song Seaman's Blues tell the story of a sailor's homesickness and longing to return to Texas, where his loved one waits for him. The sailor is on his way to Italy from the Gulf of Mexico, riding on a tanker. He is feeling mighty low because he has not had any love from his good gal for so long. The nights on the ocean are lonely, and he has too much time to dream of yesterday. He wishes he could carry out his notion and hit the trail for Texas right away. He never thought he could get so blue out on the sea, but after all this grieving, he knows it's that good old Texas soil for him.
The song tells a poignant story of a sailor's longing to be reunited with his loved one and the familiar comforts of home. It also speaks to the universal experience of homesickness and longing for the people and places we love. Hank Williams's powerful vocals and the plaintive melody of the song capture the mood perfectly, making Seaman's Blues a classic and enduring piece of American music.
Line by Line Meaning
On my way to Italy from the Gulf of Mexico
Starting a journey from the Gulf of Mexico to Italy
Riding on a tanker, feeling mighty low
Feeling sad and down while traveling on a tanker
My good gal's behind me, no loving for so long
Missing his girlfriend who he hasn't seen in a while
I'm going back to Texas, for that's where I belong
Going back to his hometown in Texas where he feels he belongs
Nights are so lonely on the ocean
Feeling lonely during the nights while out at sea
Too much time to dream of yesterday
Having a lot of time to think about the past and memories
If only I could carry out my notion
Wishing he could act on his plan
And hit the trail for Texas right away
Immediately heading back to Texas
I never thought I was leaving
Not expecting to leave in the first place
I could get so blue out on the sea
Feeling sad and down when out at sea
But I'll bet you after all this grieving
Believing that after all the sadness
It's that good old Texas soil for me
His true home is in Texas
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@waderaney7
Another great song from Hank😊
@rachelmcclamma6209
Love this, love everything he ever sang. Thanks to the songwriter also, Ernest Tubb. Thanks, E.T., thanks a lot.
@dontotten1179
best that ever lived. his music will never die. Just when you think you heard them all there are mor. LOVE IT. thanks
@dontotten1179
Never be another like him.
@samuelworthan5426
Thanks for sharing this. I never heard Hank Williams version before. Always heard Ernest Tubb singing it. Both versions are Great. Thank you again for sharing it with us. 🤠
@jtls8
Thank you for uploading!!! The greatist of all time!!!!
@dellolasalle9546
A real legend