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.
Seven Lonely Days
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm looking for higher ground
Said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
Well I ain't proud of the things I've done
So I've got to change it now
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
And I ain't got nothing to say to the law
I got 10 more miles and I'm hittin' that county line
And I ain't got no more worries on my mind
Well I'm leavin' Mississippi
And I'm looking for higher ground
Said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
Well I ain't proud of the things I've done
So I've got to change it now
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
Well my worn out jeans didn't fit no more
Had long hair on my back
I guess that's not the best 'pearance
To that judge in black
So he picked up his pen and he put me away
For a little stretch of time
I said 7 long months 39 days and never did a crime
I got an 18 wheeler and a worn out dog
And I ain't got nothing to say to the law
I got 10 more miles and I'm hittin' that county line
And I ain't got no more worries on my mind
Well I'm leavin' mississippi
And I'm looking for higher ground
Said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
Well I ain't proud of the things I've done
So I've got to change it now
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
The Hank Williams song "Seven Lonely Days" tells the story of a man who is leaving Mississippi and trying to turn his life around. He sings about his past mistakes and how he is not proud of the things he has done. He talks about his time in jail and how it has made him realize that he needs to change his ways. The lyrics are expressive of his remorse, sadness and hope.
The singer speaks of his worn-out jeans that do not fit anymore, he has grown his hair long, and his appearance was not very presentable to the judge. He knows that he has to change his life if he wants to avoid going back to jail. He says that he has seven long months and thirty-nine days to turn his ways around. He hopes that this would be enough time for him to start over, get on the right path, and do things the right way. In the end, he has his dog and his 18 wheeler as he leaves Mississippi for higher ground.
Overall, "Seven Lonely Days" is a song about remorse and redemption, the desire to leave behind the old life's mistakes and start a new chapter in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm leavin' Mississippi
I am leaving Mississippi in order to start anew.
And I'm looking for higher ground
I am seeking a better life for myself.
Said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I have been given a specific time frame to work on improving myself.
Well I ain't proud of the things I've done
I am not happy with my past actions.
So I've got to change it now
I am determined to turn my life around.
I got an 18 wheeler and a worn out dog
I have a truck and a dog as my companions on this journey.
And I ain't got nothing to say to the law
I have no intention of getting into trouble with the authorities.
I got 10 more miles and I'm hittin' that county line
I am almost at my destination, the county line.
And I ain't got no more worries on my mind
I am free of worries and stress.
Well my worn out jeans didn't fit no more
My previous lifestyle had taken a toll on my physical appearance.
Had long hair on my back
My hair had grown wild and unkept.
I guess that's not the best 'pearance
This was not a good look for me to present in court.
To that judge in black
The judge who presided over my case.
So he picked up his pen and he put me away
The judge sentenced me to prison.
For a little stretch of time
I was given a specific amount of time to serve in prison.
I said 7 long months 39 days and never did a crime
Despite serving time in prison, I never committed another crime during that time.
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I had a specific amount of time to work on self-improvement and change.
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I am emphasizing the importance of this specific time frame given to me.
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I am repeating the time frame as a reminder of the work I need to do.
I said 7 long months 39 days to turn my ways around
I am emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the importance of making positive changes.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHELTON (HANK III) WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind