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.
Searching for a Soldier's Grave
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of Americans who all died true and brave
That's where I know I'll find him resting
So I'm here, I'm searching for his grave
You ask me, stranger, why I made this journey
Why cross three thousand miles of rolling waves
Like many others, my darling was killed in action
That's why I'm here, I'm searching for his grave
Somewhere here among these many thousands
Of Americans who all died true and brave
That's where I know I'll find him resting
So I'm here, I'm searching for his grave
When I come to the spot where he's sleeping
I know it will cause more heartaches inside
But I'll long to be by his side once more and tell him
Tell him that I love him and will until I die
Somewhere here among these many thousands
Of Americans who all died true and brave
That's where I know I'll find him resting
So I'm here, I'm searching for his grave
The song "Searching for a Soldier's Grave" by Hank Williams is a poignant and emotional tribute to those who lost their loved ones to war. The lyrics of the song illustrate the story of the singer, who has traveled to a military cemetery in search of his fallen loved one's resting place. The singer explains that he is searching among the many thousands of graves of true and brave Americans who lost their lives in service.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's determination to find his fallen loved one's final resting place. He speaks of the impending heartache that will come when he finally finds the grave but expresses that he longs to be by his loved one's side once more to tell him that he loves and misses him.
The verses of the song address the stranger who questions why the singer made the long journey to find the grave. It is revealed that the singer's darling was killed in action, and this loss is why he is willing to make the difficult journey to pay his respects.
Overall, "Searching for a Soldier's Grave" is a powerful tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives for their country and those who have been left behind to mourn. The lyrics evoke the feelings of heartache, love, and determination, making it a moving and memorable song that honors those who have served.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere here among these many thousands
There are thousands of American soldiers who died true and brave in this place.
Of Americans who all died true and brave
These thousands of soldiers are all Americans who died bravely for their country.
That's where I know I'll find him resting
The singer is confident that he will find his loved one's grave among these thousands of soldiers.
So I'm here, I'm searching for his grave
The singer is currently searching for his loved one's grave in this place.
You ask me, stranger, why I made this journey
The singer is being asked by a stranger why he took this long and difficult journey.
Why cross three thousand miles of rolling waves
The singer had to cross the vast ocean to come to this place.
Like many others, my darling was killed in action
The singer's loved one was killed in combat, just like many other soldiers.
When I come to the spot where he's sleeping
The singer is anticipating the moment when he finally finds his loved one's grave.
I know it will cause more heartaches inside
The singer knows that finding his loved one's grave will cause him more pain and sadness.
But I'll long to be by his side once more and tell him
Despite the pain, the singer wants to be close to his loved one and talk to him again.
Tell him that I love him and will until I die
The singer wants to express his enduring love for his loved one even after his death.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@simonne234
YOu will never have another singer like Hank.........God bless him
@Kidsstuff-w9z
Never!
@richardkelley8292
I think the haters ought to get there hearing checked. This is awesome!!!
@rogerscott3402
A MEN
@caretaker245231
He sure packed a lot of livin in 29 years. Always sounded so much older than he actually was. Raw emotion in every song.
@NickPet1687
its not about what he did or did not do, its about the man and his music..and his legacy...he brought us one of the greatest country music singers to live,with his son....Hank Jr is carying on what his dad started
@nightrider409
there will never be another hank williams..RIP ill never stop listenin to your music
@cyma1011
HANK WILLIAMS WAS AN ALWAYS WILL BE THE GREATEAT SINGER THAT EVER LIVED,UNTIL HE RETURNS TO FINISH HIS JOURNEY.
@reekashade
God bless the soldiers that died for our freedom & the ones that protect us from evil.
@bubbalong7646
@Joel Putin is a mad man. You know it too.