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.
Softly and Tenderly
Hank Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Calling for you and for me
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is callingCalling, "O sinner, come home!"
O for the wonderful love He has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me
Come home, come home
Ye who are weary come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Calling, "O sinner, come home!"
Hank William's song "Softly and Tenderly" is a powerful expression of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. The lyrics speak of Jesus' loving invitation to come to Him, regardless of sin or past mistakes. The first verse describes Jesus calling out to people, watching and waiting for all who will answer His call. The second verse acknowledges that although we have sinned, Jesus offers us mercy and pardon because of His abounding love for us. The chorus serves as a loving call for all those who are tired and weary to come back to Jesus and find comfort in His grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Jesus is calling to us softly and tenderly
Calling for you and for me
He is calling for both you and me
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching
He is waiting and watching for us on the portals
Watching for you and for me
He is watching for both you and me
Come home, come home
We should go back home
Ye who are weary come home
Those of us who are tired and worn out should come home
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling
Jesus is calling us with great sincerity and gentleness
Calling, "O sinner, come home!"
Jesus wants sinners to come home
O for the wonderful love He has promised
The love Jesus has promised us is wonderful
Promised for you and for me
The love is promised to both you and me
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon
Even though we have sinned, Jesus has mercy and forgiveness for us
Pardon for you and for me
Both you and me can receive forgiveness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Bluewater Music Corp., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Will L. Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisaparsons4124
Hank Williams Sr a awesome singer and song writer my Dad John Parsons liked he passed away May 19 2002,was66.💐May Hank Williams Sr RIP 💐
@lloydcrites8794
I love all of Hanks songs. There is no one like him in the music today.
Lloyd Crites
@thomashumphries3519
Yes, he is watching...he always has been...see u around lordt...
@EddyRice
Thanks so much for posting these wonderful songs. They remind me so much of my youth growing up in a small town in Texas. Most of these recordings are old and lost,or have the record lp scratching sound.
@rebekahhawkinson2684
I lost my dad just yesterday n this is the last song that him n I listened to. and when he looked at me he said "I'm ready to go home" I never knew what he meant until I got the call that he passed. now I know what he meant..... I love you daddy
@dariusdribbles.3981
I'm sorry brother.
@scottgardiner3669
He's with Jesus now, rip to your dad. I'm sorry for your loss ❤.
@420BulletSponge
I answered the call in 1981 but strayed far from the path in the years since. Time to get right.
@lesterparfitt5694
You just speared me through the heart hank
@lesterparfitt5694
Reminds me of my days living in a tent deep south of Western Australia all hanks songs were a big part of our lives back in the forties until he passed but his songs never pass a true legend